Expert Scoliosis Care for Infants, Children and Young Adults

The Crawford Spine Center at Cincinnati Children’s offers expert scoliosis care for infants, children and young adults. Scoliosis is an abnormal, side-to-side curve of the spine that occurs in roughly 2% of children. It is more common in girls than boys. Scoliosis ranges from mild to severe, and those with very mild scoliosis may not be aware they have it. Often, the cause of scoliosis is unknown. 

Your child may be diagnosed with early onset scoliosis (EOS), diagnosed between birth and age 9, or adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), which is diagnosed at ages 10 and older. Scoliosis treatment varies by how severe the curve in the spine is and how long your child’s spine will continue to grow.

As the only specialized scoliosis center in the region, our team of nationally ranked orthopaedic experts provides leading-edge care for children with scoliosis.

Why Choose Us

Experts at the Crawford Spine Center collaborate across specialties to evaluate, diagnose and treat children with scoliosis. Our team treats more than 4,600 patients every year for a range of spinal conditions, including all levels of scoliosis, and our board-certified scoliosis surgeons perform more than 200 surgeries each year.

Top-Ranked Pediatric Orthopaedic Care at the #1 Children’s Hospital in the Nation

Our team is comprised of leaders in scoliosis care, including minimally invasive procedures that mean shorter hospital stays and reduced chances of infection. That commitment led to the Orthopaedic Surgery team at Cincinnati Children’s being ranked #3 in the nation in 2024-25 by U.S. News and World Report.

A Personal Approach to Care

If your child needs surgery, a surgery date will be planned, and they will be assigned a dedicated spine care nurse. This nurse will work directly with you, your child and your doctor to create a personalized care plan. Your nurse will be your child’s one-on-one partner throughout their care journey, offering planning and scheduling services, answering questions and providing mental, emotional and physical support for the well-being of your child and your family.

Leading-Edge Treatments and Research

Our team offers a full range of surgical and nonsurgical treatment options to your child, depending on their condition and need. These treatments range from bracing and casting to spinal fusion and vertebral body tethering. Further, breakthrough research from leaders at Cincinnati Children’s means the latest innovations in scoliosis care are close at hand.

Founded and Led by Experts

Alvin Crawford, MD, our center’s founder, was one of the leading innovators in the field of scoliosis care. He developed less-invasive ways to perform scoliosis surgery, so kids have quicker, less painful recoveries.

Today, Peter Sturm, MD, leads the Crawford Spine Center. With more than 30 years of experience treating kids with pediatric scoliosis, kyphosis and other spine conditions, Dr. Sturm has built a national reputation in treating children with complex spinal issues.