Michael Vitale MD MPH

04/28/2026

Meet Addison, a competitive horseback rider whose journey with scoliosis began at age 9.

She was referred to Dr. Vitale after her pediatrician noticed asymmetry at a routine visit. At presentation, she had curves of 31° and 23° and began treatment with bracing and Schroth physical therapy. Despite excellent compliance over several years, her curve continued to progress.

By age 14, her main thoracic curve had reached the surgical range. After careful discussion with Addison and her family, we proceeded with a posterior spinal fusion from T2–L1.

She did very well post-operatively, standing and walking the day after surgery and steadily regaining strength each day.

Just three months later, Addison was back on horseback. Today, she has returned to competitive riding, recently qualified for regionals, and is also playing varsity field hockey. She describes herself as stronger than ever.

Reflecting on her journey, Addison shared:
“I was nervous, scared, but also excited. Mindset was everything to me. I was determined to get back to doing what I love.”

Her story is a reminder that while scoliosis treatment can feel overwhelming, it does not limit what is possible. With the right care, timing, and support, patients can return to the activities they love—and often come back even stronger.

Addison’s resilience continues to inspire our entire team.

You can read more patient stories on my website:
https://pediatricscoliosissurgery.com/patient-cases-stories/patient-stories/

04/24/2026

Don’t miss this abnormality on x-ray.

On an AP spine radiograph, each vertebra should appear symmetric. The vertebral body is centered, the spinous process lies in the midline, and the pedicles project laterally on either side as two round, evenly spaced densities. This normal appearance is often compared to an owl’s face: the pedicles are the eyes, and the spinous process forms the beak.

The “winking owl” sign occurs when one pedicle is no longer visible. Instead of two symmetric “eyes,” one appears absent, creating the appearance of a wink. This is not a normal variant. It reflects underlying pathology, most commonly a lesion involving the vertebral body that extends into and disrupts the pedicle.

This 7-year-old had a resection of a large Aneurysmal Bone Cyst compressing his spinal cord Wednesday by my interdisciplinary team including Drs Oh (Neurosurgery), Tyler (Orthopedic Oncology) and Imahiyerobo (Plastic Surgery) and is doing great!

I am fortunate to work with such talented surgeons helping to take care of complex spine problems.

A subtle asymmetry on x-ray, but one that warrants a closer look.

04/24/2026

What can patients do to improve their spine surgery recovery?

In this short video, Drs. Glassman and Louie share what patients can do before and after surgery to support a smoother, safer recovery: from preparation and communication to understanding their role in the healing process.

If you’re a spine surgeon or part of a care team, consider sharing this video with your patients before surgery. It’s a valuable resource to help patients feel more confident, prepared, and supported every step of the way.

Watch and share: https://safetyinspinesurgery.com/patient-resources/

New patient videos released weekly in partnership with the National Spine Health Foundation

04/17/2026

No spine surgeon operates alone—and that’s exactly what keeps patients safe.

In this short video, Drs. Glassman, Louie, and Malone highlight how communication,
collaboration, and a strong team culture help ensure patient safety every step of the
way.

If you’re a spine surgeon or part of a care team, consider sharing this video with your
patients before surgery to show how your entire team is working together for their
safety.

🎥 Watch and share: https://safetyinspinesurgery.com/patient-resources/
📅 New patient videos released weekly in partnership with the National Spine Health
Foundation

04/15/2026

Join us on June 18th for the 12th Annual Best-in-Class Symposium on Non-Operative Scoliosis Treatment.

This year's event promises to be the most comprehensive yet, featuring a dynamic agenda packed with insights from world-renowned experts. We will explore the latest advancements in non-operative scoliosis care and bring together leaders across disciplines who are shaping the future of treatment.

A hybrid attendance option will be available, allowing participants to join either in person or virtually.

Learn more and register here: https://www.columbiaortho.org/education/professional-education/12th-annual-best-class-symposium-pediatric-spine
https://app.socialpilot.co/posts/calendar #

04/10/2026

“Hospitals are not great hotels!” However, the good news is that patients are going home sooner than ever, due to advanced surgical techniques, enhanced pain management, and new recovery protocols.

As part of Safety in Spine Surgery Month, Steven Glassman, MD and Philip Louie, MD share key insights in a short, easy-to-share video designed to help patients understand what to expect, build confidence, and feel ready for recovery and returning home.

If you’re a spine surgeon or part of a care team, consider sharing this video with your patients before surgery to support better outcomes.

🎥 Watch and share: https://safetyinspinesurgery.com/Patient-Resources/
📅 New patient videos released weekly in partnership with the National Spine Health Foundation

04/07/2026

When it comes to pediatric spine surgery, both orthopedic and neurosurgical expertise play critical roles.

At NewYork-Presbyterian, we have built a collaborative model that brings these two specialties together to deliver high-quality care for children with complex spinal conditions. This dual-specialty approach has clear advantages, including shorter surgical times, reduced blood loss, and improved patient safety.

That same philosophy extends into our training programs. Our Advanced Pediatric Spine Deformity Fellowship continues to attract a growing number of neurosurgical applicants, reflecting increasing interest in cross-specialty collaboration.

While not every program is structured this way, we believe strongly in this model. By bringing together surgeons with complementary skill sets, we can continue to optimize outcomes and advance safety in pediatric spine care.

Read more: https://www.nyp.org/advances/article/dual-specialty-approach-reduces-or-time-and-blood-loss-in-pediatric-spine-cases

04/01/2026

Welcome to April, Safety in Spine Surgery Month.

The Safety in Spine Surgery Project has an exciting month ahead, featuring educational content from leading experts across the field, all centered on advancing safety in spine surgery and improving patient outcomes.

Our goal is to build awareness, share best practices, and continue moving the field forward through collaboration and education.

We look forward to continuing this conversation throughout the month and hope you will join us in June for the 11th Annual Safety in Spine Surgery Summit in New York City.
https://safetyinspinesurgery.com/meetings/

03/30/2026

Honored to celebrate National Doctors’ Day alongside an extraordinary team.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented and compassionate group of physicians at Columbia Orthopedics. Thank you for the work you do each day to provide the highest level of care for patients and families.

03/30/2026

Join us for our April Bracing Support Group!

Designed for kids in scoliosis braces, this session creates a space for connection and shared experiences. Through guided activities and open discussion, participants can engage with others who truly understand what they are going through.

📅 April 8 at 5 PM
📍 Virtual (Zoom)

If you or someone you know would like to join, you can register here: https://form.jotform.com/260845507174056

Please click the link to complete this form.

03/26/2026

A look back at our Pediatric Spine Research Team’s progress this past year. Through a substantial body of peer-reviewed publications and presentations, our team continues to advance pediatric spine care.

We are proud of this collective effort and look forward to building on this work in the year ahead.

03/19/2026

Join us on June 18th for the 12th Annual Best-in-Class Symposium on Non-Operative Scoliosis Treatment.

This year's event promises to be the most comprehensive yet, featuring a dynamic agenda packed with insights from world-renowned experts. We will explore the latest advancements in non-operative scoliosis care and bring together leaders across disciplines who are shaping the future of treatment.

This is an opportunity for healthcare providers, students, and patients and families to learn and engage with the latest in scoliosis care.

Learn more and register here: https://web.cvent.com/event/fe736a1e-eb9c-457d-a51f-a8e1c814c21d/summary