Complex Pediatric Spine Surgery Program
Lurie Children’s is a nationally recognized leader in pediatric healthcare, providing advanced diagnosis and treatment for children with complex spine conditions. Through a specialized collaboration with Ali Baaj, MD, our pediatric neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery spine teams deliver comprehensive, world-class spine care to children and families from around the world.
This program combines our multidisciplinary pediatric spine expertise with Dr. Baaj’s internationally-recognized experience in complex spinal disorders. Together, our teams offer personalized treatment plans that address a wide range of congenital, developmental and acquired spine conditions using the latest surgical and nonsurgical techniques.
Families benefit from coordinated care designed to support every stage of treatment, from initial evaluation through recovery and long-term follow-up. With a focus on innovation, safety and compassion, we are committed to helping children achieve the best possible outcomes while providing families with confidence and peace of mind.
Nationally-Ranked Care
Lurie Children’s continues to be the #1 children's hospital in Illinois and is ranked in 11 specialties by U.S. News & World Report.
Why Choose Lurie Children's for Spine Care?
- Top-ranked pediatric expertise: Ranked among U.S.News & World Report’s Best Pediatric Hospitals and recognized by Newsweek as a World’s Best Specialized Hospital for excellence in pediatric neurosurgery and orthopedics.
- Integrated neurosurgery and orthopedic spine care: Our teams plan and perform surgeries collaboratively to achieve optimal out- comes for the most complex conditions.
- Cutting-edge technology: Intraoperative MRI (iMRI), image-guided surgical navigation and 3D modeling ensure precision and safety.
- Multidisciplinary rehabilitation: Our partnership with Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, consisently ranked the #1 rehabilitation hospital by U.S.News & World Report, supports long-term recovery and functional outcomes.
- Academic partnership: Collaboration with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine advances research, innovation and education in pediatric neuroscience and orthopedics.
Conditions We Treat
Our team treats a range of spinal deformities and neurologic and complex conditions, including:
- Idiopathic scoliosis
- Early-onset scoliosis
- Congenital scoliosis
- Neuromuscular scoliosis, including cerebral palsy and spina bifida
- Kyphosis
- Tethered cord and spinal dysraphism
- Spinal column and spinal cord tumors
Our Spine Surgery Specialists
Neurosurgery
Sandi K. Lam, MD, MBA
Division Head, Neurosurgery
Yeager Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery
Ali A. Baaj, MD
Spinal Neurosurgery Specialist
Tord D. Alden, MD
Attending Physician, Neurosurgery
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Erik C. King, MD, MS
Division Head, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Martha Washington Foundation Professor of Pediatric Orthopedics
John J. Grayhack, MD
Attending Physician, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
Our Patients & Stories
Alex’s Story: Living With Spina Bifida, Supported Every Step of the Way
Celebrating 50 years of the Lurie Children’s Spina Bifida Program. Read Alex’s inspiring journey from a prenatal diagnosis to wheelchair basketball star.
Grace sees the world ‘from a whole different perspective’ after scoliosis correction surgery
Just nine days after her high school graduation, Grace reached another major life milestone: undergoing the biggest surgery of her life for scoliosis correction.
Spinal Extension Surgery Helps Straighten Boy’s Spine
At five months old, Christian didn’t kick his arms and legs like many babies do because his spinal cord was being compressed due to kyphoscoliosis.
Contact Our Team
Call us for more information about the Complex Spine Surgery Program.
For international families seeking care, please call 312.227.4550 or email IPS@luriechildrens.org.