Skip to main content Skip to navigation
We care about your privacy. Read about your rights and how we protect your data. Get Details

Posterior Spinal Fusion

Contact number | 202-476-2112

Children’s National Hospital has a team of highly-specialized experts that work together to correct idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents using posterior spinal fusion surgery. Children with idiopathic scoliosis have an abnormal curve in their spine and may show the following signs:

  • Shoulders are uneven
  • Head is not centered with the rest of their body
  • Hips are uneven
  • Shoulder blade heights are uneven or in different positions
  • One shoulder blade is more prominent than the other

Posterior spinal fusion is the surgical process of straightening the spine and preventing the curve from getting worse. Metal implants are used to hold the spine in a straighter position until the bones fuse together.

Our team at Children’s National works to make recovery after surgery as easy as possible for patients and families. Our experts have created the very first Spinal Fusion Surgical Home to streamline care and facilitate faster recovery. Learn more.

Contact Information

To schedule an appointment with the orthopaedic clinic, please call 202-476-2112. For non-emergency concerns, please call 202-476-5562.

Gabriella's Story

Scoliosis

gabriella cheerleading

For Gabriella, scoliosis surgery changed her life — in more ways than she expected. Read Gabriella's Story.

Gabriella's Story

Posterior Spinal Fusion Team

  • Matthew Oetgen

    Matthew Oetgen
    Division Chief, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
    Spine, Hip and Orthopaedic Trauma Specialist

  • Shannon McClure-Kelly

    Shannon Kelly
    Associate Chief, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
    Spine, Cerebral Palsy and Orthopaedic Trauma Specialist

  • Ben Martin

    Benjamin Martin
    Associate Chief, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
    Spine, Hip and Orthopaedic Trauma Specialist