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.

A Step Ahead in Scoliosis Care: New Research Supports Earlier Bracing for Children With AIS

A Step Ahead in Scoliosis Care: New Research Supports Earlier Bracing for Children With AIS

by | Aug 13, 2026 | Scoliosis & Spine

A study led by spinal experts from Scottish Rite for Children found that starting brace treatment earlier than current guidelines recommend may help children and teens with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) reduce curve progression and lower their risk of needing surgery. 

With no known cause, AIS is the most common type of scoliosis in children and teens. It typically develops between the ages of 10 and 18, affects as many as 4% of adolescents and is more common in girls. AIS is a progressive condition in which the spinal curve may worsen during periods of rapid growth. 

For years, brace treatment has typically been recommended once a spinal curve reaches 25 degrees. However, this research suggests that some children and teens with smaller curves who are still growing may benefit from beginning treatment sooner. 

Published in JBJS Open Access, the study was led by senior scientist Karina A. Zapata, P.T., D.P.T., Ph.D., and featured spinal experts, such as Chief of Staff Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S., Director of Orthotics Don Virostek, C.P.O., L.P.O., and pediatric orthopedic surgeon Megan E. Johnson, M.D. The research followed 414 children with AIS. They compared 207 children who began wearing a brace when their spinal curve measured between 15 and 24 degrees with 207 other children who followed the traditional approach of waiting until the curve reached 25 degrees before beginning treatment. 

They found that children who began bracing earlier were more likely to see their curves improve or remain stable and were significantly less likely to experience progression to curves severe enough to require surgery. 

By intervening earlier, physicians may be able to help guide spinal growth before curves become more difficult to manage. While not every child with scoliosis will need a brace, these findings highlight the importance of personalized treatment plans based on a child’s age, remaining growth and curve pattern. 

At Scottish Rite for Children, spine specialists combine research, experience and individualized care to develop the best treatment plan for every patient. Whether treatment involves observation, custom bracing or surgery, the goal is to help children stay active and continue doing the things they love.  

As research continues to shape the future of scoliosis care, these findings offer another step toward more personalized treatment for children with AIS. 

 

Scottish Rite Surgeon Earns Hometown Recognition for Groundbreaking Spinal Procedure

Scottish Rite for Children Performs First U.S. Implant of Newly FDA-Cleared Spinal Device

by | Jun 25, 2026 | Press Coverage, Scoliosis & Spine

Scottish Rite for Children continues its commitment to advancing care for children with complex spinal conditions by expanding the range of treatment options available to patients with early-onset scoliosis. Pediatric orthopedic surgeon Amy L. McIntosh, M.D., recently performed the first U.S. implantation of the Spring Distraction System™ (SDS) at Scottish Rite for Children. SDS is a spinal implant that was developed in the Netherlands and received FDA clearance earlier this year to treat early onset scoliosis. 

Early-onset scoliosis is diagnosed in children younger than 10, during a critical period when the spine and lungs are still developing. Traditional treatment options can require ongoing adjustments throughout childhood. The SDS uses a spring-based mechanism that continuously corrects as a child grows, supporting more natural development of the spine and chest. 

“These patients often face years of treatment, multiple procedures and significant disruptions to childhood. A system that provides continuous growth guidance while potentially reducing the burden of repeated interventions represents an important step forward in pediatric spine care,” says McIntosh.  

The first patient to receive the implant was a 6-year-old boy with neuromuscular scoliosis and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. His care team selected the SDS because it provides continuous gentle spinal correction, which may reduce the burden of care on him and his family while helping preserve his sitting balance, comfort and respiratory function, all of which are key considerations in children with SMA.

“We are proud to offer another option for children with certain types of scoliosis,” says Scottish Rite for Children Chief of Staff Daniel J. Sucato, M.D., M.S. “This kind of innovation reflects our commitment to moving pediatric orthopedic care forward, helping improve outcomes while making treatment a little easier for children and their families along the way.” 

As new treatment options emerge, Scottish Rite for Children remains dedicated to evaluating and advancing innovations that not only improve clinical outcomes but also make care more manageable for the children and families who depend on it. 

D CEO: Scottish Rite and TWU Team Up for Adaptive Fashion

D CEO: Scottish Rite and TWU Team Up for Adaptive Fashion

by | Dec 22, 2025 | Press Coverage, Scoliosis & Spine

At Texas Woman’s University, a fashion design class took learning beyond the classroom by focusing on how their skills could help the community. The course partnered with Scottish Rite for Children after identifying a real need among pediatric patients, especially children with scoliosis who wear halo devices that make everyday clothing hard to manage. By learning directly about the challenges these patients face, TWU students designed adaptive clothing that fits over the halo device to make daily care easier and give children more independence. The project shows how TWU blends hands-on education with meaningful service to create a real-world impact.

Read the full story here.

How Danielle Unlocked Her Passion Through Scoliosis Treatment

How Danielle Unlocked Her Passion Through Scoliosis Treatment

by | Dec 15, 2025 | Prosthetics & Orthotics, Scoliosis & Spine

Sixteen-year-old Danielle is an innovator at heart. During her scoliosis treatment, she discovered solace in the hum of motors at her school’s robotics club. “Robotics helped me power through my treatment,” Danielle says.

When Danielle was in elementary school, she was diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) at Scottish Rite for Children. AIS is the most common form of scoliosis, affecting children ages 10 to 18. She had a lumbar, or lower spine, curve of 24 degrees. To prevent her curve from progressing, bracing was recommended.

Bracing is a common treatment method for children with scoliosis whose curves measure between 20 to 40 degrees. “Scoliosis was a new word to me,” Danielle says. “No one in my family had it. All I understood was that bracing would avoid the possibility of needing surgery. However, I was nervous about feeling different for wearing a brace.”

An expert clinical team guided Danielle through her spine treatment. Assistant Chief of Staff Brandon A. Ramo, M.D., monitored Danielle’s curve while Orthotist and Prosthetist Manager Kelsey Thompson, C.P.O., L.P.O., created and adjusted her brace. While it took time to adapt to wearing a brace, Danielle shares that her treatment brought her closer to her beloved passion of robotics in eighth grade.

“Once I joined the robotics team, the brace was no longer my focus,” Danielle says. “Robotics gave me something to look forward to everyday. I channeled all my energy into competing with my robotics team.”

After three and a half years of commitment, Danielle was cleared to stop wearing a brace. “The moment my treatment ended, it felt bittersweet,” Danielle says. “It was hard to say goodbye to Dr. Ramo and Kelsey, both of who I have come to know well during my regular check-ups. I am grateful to them for all the care they have given me.”

Danielle plans on taking her experiences at Scottish Rite and applying them to the world of technology. She mentors kids interested in robotics by helping them build the knowledge needed to improve, such as learning engineering, programming or marketing skills. Additionally, she maintains her Scottish Rite connection by being a peer support to other children undergoing bracing for scoliosis.

“Helping others is my way of saying thank you to Scottish Rite,” Danielle says. “Though my brace is gone, the strength, resilience and community I found will remain with me forever.

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