WFAA: Previously Conjoined Twins Undergo Scoliosis Surgeries at Scottish Rite

WFAA: Previously Conjoined Twins Undergo Scoliosis Surgeries at Scottish Rite

by | Sep 30, 2026 | Press Coverage, Scoliosis & Spine

A recent WFAA story spotlighted 12-year-old Texas twins Knatalye and Adeline “Addy”, who underwent scoliosis surgeries at Scottish Rite for Children 11 years after surviving a complex 26-hour surgery to separate them as conjoined infants.

Born joined at the chest and abdomen and sharing several vital organs, the sisters underwent their separation surgery at just 10 months old. Their family says they were told at the time that they had about a 20% chance of survival.

More than a decade later, both sisters faced another major medical challenge: severe scoliosis. Brandon A. Ramo, M.D., a Scottish Rite for Children pediatric orthopedic surgeon, performed the surgeries one week apart in April. 

Addy’s scoliosis was particularly severe, with her spine pressing against her ribs and limiting the space available for her lungs. Ramo explained the magnitude of her condition, noting that the angle of her scoliosis was roughly double that of her sister’s.

Both surgeries were successful, and the family hopes the procedures will improve the sisters’ quality of life as they grow. Ramo said the surgeries are ultimately about helping the twins in the years ahead: “I think what we’re doing is helping their future selves.”

To view the full story, click here.

Scottish Rite Surgeon Earns Hometown Recognition for Groundbreaking Spinal Procedure

Scottish Rite Surgeon Earns Hometown Recognition for Groundbreaking Spinal Procedure

by | Sep 30, 2026 | General News, Press Coverage, Scoliosis & Spine

A newspaper in Gladstone, Mich., recently spotlighted Scottish Rite for Children pediatric surgeon Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., and her role as the first U.S. surgeon to implant the Spring Distraction System (SDS), a dynamic growth-friendly spinal device for children with early-onset scoliosis.

The Daily Press feature highlights McIntosh’s connection to the town and the education and experiences that helped shape her career – from advanced science courses at Gladstone High School to discovering her passion for pediatric spinal deformity surgery during residency.

“I loved the opportunity to care for the whole child, and I was struck by how resilient my young patients were and how well they could heal,” McIntosh told the newspaper. “I also fell in love with pediatric spinal deformity surgery.”

Earlier this year, McIntosh, who also serves as a professor of orthopedic surgery and medical director of patient safety at Scottish Rite for Children, performed the first U.S. implantation of the SDS in a 6-year-old patient with neuromuscular scoliosis and spinal muscular atrophy.

Developed in the Netherlands and cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2026, the SDS is designed to provide continuous spinal correction while allowing a child’s spine to grow. McIntosh told the newspaper that the new technology offers another option for children with early-onset scoliosis.

To read the full article, click here.