Dr. Lonner is an internationally recognized leader in scoliosis and spinal deformity care who has won numerous awards recognizing his research and contributions to the field. He is a Board-member of the Scoliosis Research Society, a prestigious international society that fosters the optimal treatment of spinal deformities. His approach to patients and their families is a holistic one in which the patient’s quality of life is at the forefront of decision-making. His focus is on the needs of the individual patient, believing in patient empowerment and informed decision-making. One approach does not suit all patients. Dr. Lonner and his team provide the most up-to-date treatment alternatives including less invasive techniques that he has helped to pioneer, with the guiding principle of achieving the best outcomes for the patient with an emphasis on safety.

The physicians and caregivers at Scoliosis and Spine Associates, directed by Dr. Lonner, have a 50-year history in the treatment of spinal deformities. Patients ranging from newborns to middle age and older are treated and their specific needs and goals taken into account within the framework of their condition. Non-operative management is offered including observation of scoliosis, bracing, scoliosis specific exercise therapy, and newer promising alternatives. Patients are offered the option of being followed over time with a zero-radiation alternative to x-ray, The Scoliscan (Diers Formetrics).

Surgical treatment is tailored to the specific needs of the patient based on his or her condition, age, activity level, co-existing medical conditions, and remaining growth. Dr. Lonner treats diverse conditions such as idiopathic scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, kyphosis, flatback, and spondylolisthesis. He has 20-years of operative experience, and has done thousands of operations in the care of spinal deformity patients both in New York City as well as in other countries where he does mission work and training of surgeons in places such as Ghana, Dominican Republic, Barbados, China, Egypt, and Thailand. Dr. Lonner has done research showing that a surgeon who has a larger practice experience in the area of scoliosis has fewer complications than one who does less volume. Dr. Lonner’s emphasis and driving principles include improving outcomes which entails maximizing correction of deformity, maximizing growth in the child, minimizing complications, maintaining spinal motion and back health, and decreasing the long-term problems of untreated spinal deformity such as back pain, breathing difficulties (pulmonary disease), and disability. He has been a leader in the study of outcomes in scoliosis, understanding how to minimize complications, and how to address patient concerns about their condition. His research has focused on answering clinical questions that will help solve problems that the patient experiences and has over 100 publications on spinal deformity conditions in prestigious medical journals and has done 100’s of presentations around the world, contributing to the care of patients world-wide. Come in for a consult or a second opinion and Dr. Lonner will spend time with you or your family member to discuss treatment options.