At our best in class orthopedic spine surgery practice in Manhattan (Upper East Side, NYC), osteotomy procedures are performed by our board certified orthopedic surgeons to correct complex spinal deformities, restore proper alignment, and relieve pain caused by imbalance or abnormal curvature. Spinal osteotomies are among the most advanced techniques in modern spine surgery and require a high level of experience, precision, and anatomical expertise. Patients throughout New York seek care from an experienced orthopedic spine surgeon when non-surgical treatments are no longer effective and structural correction is necessary.
What Is a Spinal Osteotomy? A spinal osteotomy is a surgical procedure, performed by orthopedic spine surgeons, in which bone is carefully cut and reshaped to correct spinal alignment. Unlike standard decompression or fusion surgeries, osteotomies are designed to address rigid deformities, severe curvature, or sagittal imbalance that cannot be corrected through less invasive methods. These procedures are often recommended for patients with scoliosis, kyphosis, flatback syndrome, or deformities resulting from prior spine surgery or trauma.
Osteotomies allow the spine to be realigned into a more natural position, improving posture, reducing mechanical pain, and restoring balance between the spine and pelvis. Because these procedures are technically complex and permanently alter spinal structure, they should only be performed by the best orthopedic spine surgeons in NYC with extensive training in complex spine reconstruction.
Types of Spinal Osteotomies
There are several variants of spinal osteotomies, each selected based on the severity of deformity, spinal flexibility, and patient-specific anatomy:
Smith-Petersen Osteotomy (SPO)
This technique involves removing a portion of bone from the back of the spine to allow controlled extension and correction. It is often used for mild to moderate sagittal imbalance in patients with some remaining spinal flexibility.
Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy (PSO)
A PSO is a powerful correction technique that removes a wedge-shaped portion of vertebral bone, allowing significant realignment in a single spinal segment. This procedure is commonly used for rigid deformities or flatback syndrome and requires exceptional surgical precision.
Posterior Column Osteotomy (PCO)
This technique targets the posterior elements of the spine and is often used in combination with fusion procedures to improve flexibility and alignment.
Each osteotomy approach is carefully selected based on the patient’s diagnosis, imaging findings, and overall health.
Vertebral Column Resection (VCR)
One of the most complex osteotomy variants, VCR involves removing an entire vertebral segment to correct severe and rigid spinal deformities. This procedure is reserved for advanced cases and is performed by highly specialized orthopedic spine surgeons in Manhattan.
Spinal osteotomies are technically demanding and require advanced planning, meticulous execution, and comprehensive postoperative care. At our best-in-class orthopedic spine surgery practice, patients benefit from:
· Expertise in all variants of spinal osteotomies
· A board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with extensive reconstructive experience
· Advanced imaging and surgical planning technologies
· Individualized treatment strategies tailored to each patient
· A focus on long-term spinal balance and functional improvement
· Patients across NYC and Manhattan choose our practice for complex spine surgery because of our commitment to precision, safety, and durable outcomes.
What to Expect from Osteotomy Surgery
Osteotomy procedures are typically performed as part of a comprehensive spinal reconstruction and often include spinal fusion for long-term stability. Surgery is followed by a structured recovery process, which may include physical therapy, activity modification, and close clinical follow-up.
Recovery timelines vary depending on the extent of correction, but many patients experience significant improvement in posture, pain reduction, and overall mobility once healing is complete.
If you are living with spinal deformity, imbalance, or persistent pain that has not responded to conservative treatment, osteotomy surgery may be an effective solution. At our best-in-class orthopedic spine surgery practice in Manhattan, patients receive advanced care from one of the best orthopedic spine surgeons in NYC, specializing in complex spinal realignment procedures.
Our goal is to restore balance, reduce pain, and help patients regain confidence in their movement and quality of life through expert surgical care.
At Spine Associates in Manhattan, our board-certified NYC spine surgeons specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of kyphosis, a spinal condition characterized by an abnormal forward curvature of the upper back. When kyphosis results in pain, posture changes, or functional limitations, prompt evaluation by experienced spine specialists is essential for long-term health and quality of life.
Our best in class, Upper East Side, NYC scoliosis, back pain & neck pain diagnosis & surgery practice, Spine Associates of NYC, is honored to provide you with highly personalized and comprehensive care. Our philosophy of direct management of your case by an expert spine surgeon has made us one of the most trusted and respected spine surgery practices on the Upper East Side in NYC and the world. Feel free to contact our spine surgery specialists today to discuss your unique condition and start yourself on the road to recovery.
Spine Associates of NYC
1155 Park Avenue, Suite E
New York, NY 10128
(212) 360-6500








