Soliz initially shrugged it off as a pulled muscle. But the pain grew progressively worse. Soon, he was experiencing sharp pain throughout the day, using walls for support as he walked and struggling to find a comfortable position to sleep.

Soliz underwent an MRI, revealing a large tumor in his spine. Recognizing the critical diagnosis of this bone tumor, an orthopedic surgeon in Ventura County near Soliz’s home referred him to Cedars-Sinai.

An image-guided biopsy performed by interventional neuroradiologist Marcel Maya, MD, co-chair of the Department of Imaging at Cedars-Sinai, made the diagnosis of an aneurysmal bone cyst, a rare, blood-filled tumor that can grow rapidly and, as in Soliz’s case, destabilize the spinal column and compress the spinal cord.

Although the tumor was benign, its location made it dangerous, said his surgeon, Tiffany Perry, MD, associate professor of Neurosurgery and co-director of Spine Oncology.

“Spinal fluid normally surrounds the cord, providing space for the cord and the nerve roots as they exit the spinal column,” Perry said. “But in Ryan’s case, the tumor was taking up about 80% of the spinal canal and was blocking the flow of fluid and compressing the cord, causing weakness in his legs.”

For Soliz, the diagnosis quickly became about more than treating a rare tumor—it was about saving his ability to walk. Three days after his outpatient appointment in the neurosurgery clinic, Soliz began losing feeling in his legs, prompting doctors to act emergently. By the time he was admitted to the ICU, he had lost the ability to walk.

“It was a roller coaster of emotions. I was terrified thinking I might never be able to walk again,” Soliz said.

A Rare Tumor and Emergency Surgery

Aneurysmal bone cysts are uncommon, and involvement of the spine with significant spinal cord compression is particularly unusual, Maya said.  

“Although these tumors are benign, they can be locally very aggressive—destroying bone, bleeding significantly and, when they occur in the spine, compressing the spinal cord,” Maya said.

After Soliz was seen in the outpatient clinic, his case was reviewed by a spine tumor board, a group of specialists at Cedars-Sinai from different disciplines that discusses complex spinal tumors. The board ensures patients like Soliz receive coordinated care, formulating a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan for each patient. Maya said the multidisciplinary tumor board allows specialists in neurosurgery, imaging, interventional neuroradiology, pathology and other disciplines to develop a coordinated treatment strategy from the outset. Given the rapid decline of Soliz’s condition, his care team implemented the developed plan in an expedited manner.

Before removal of the tumor, Michael Alexander, MD, vice chair of Neurosurgery, performed a preoperative embolization of the tumor. This minimally invasive procedure blocked blood flow to the tumor, reducing the risk of major blood loss during surgery.

Following the embolization, Perry resected the tumor during a five-hour surgery, ultimately relieving the pressure on Soliz’s spinal cord and preserving his ability to walk.

In addition to Perry, Maya and Alexander, many Cedars-Sinai specialists contributed to Soliz’s care, including the pathologists who confirmed his diagnosis. The specialists and staff in the Neuroscience Critical Care Unit were also instrumental in his recovery, providing attentive care before and after surgery that helped him begin walking again.

“Ryan’s case reflects the importance of every team bringing its expertise together toward one shared goal—taking care of every patient and ensuring the best outcomes possible within our abilities,” Perry said.

A Recurrence, and Off to College

After surgery, Soliz spent time in rehabilitation recovering his strength. But in April, the tumor returned.

Alexander performed another embolization, blocking the blood vessels supplying the tumor. The approach allowed Soliz to avoid another operation to remove it and instead take medication to suppress the tumor’s growth.

Today, Soliz is in good health, golfing and hiking, and preparing to start his freshman year at the University of Hawaii, where he will be followed by a specialist throughout the school year. During breaks, he will continue his medical care at Cedars-Sinai.

Despite everything he has been through, Soliz is looking ahead to college and to a possible career in healthcare.

“I’ve always had huge respect for healthcare workers, but being a patient made me realize I want to work in healthcare and help others as a nurse,” he said.

For Perry, Soliz’s story feels personal.

“I have a daughter one year older than Ryan who just went through the college application process and moved away,” Perry said. “I could only imagine what Mrs. Soliz was feeling. I knew we had to work together for Ryan. He has amazing things he will do—and I cannot wait to see how he changes the world.”

Read more from Cedars-Sinai Stories and Insights: Seeking a Second Opinion for a Spine Condition

The 39-year-old father, who plays softball and ice hockey and spends weekends off-roading, was no stranger to minor injuries. But the anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed by his primary care physician only gave Starsiak temporary relief. Over the next few months, his hips stiffened, and he began to lose sensation and muscle mass in his leg.

Then, during a business trip, the pain caused Starsiak to reach a breaking point.

“I could not walk from one gate to the next at the airport and ended up having a breakdown, crying because I was in so much pain,” Starsiak said.

After multiple doctor visits, including a trip to the emergency room, an MRI revealed the cause: a 2-centimeter cyst lodged on the front side of a nerve, tucked beneath a joint in his spine. Its location made it particularly difficult to treat.

A physician near his home in Orange County referred Starsiak to Corey Walker, MD, an assistant professor of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedics at Cedars-Sinai, who specializes in minimally invasive and complex spine cases.

Starsiak, a medical device salesman with a focus on orthopedic products, was familiar with surgical options and trusted his instincts in choosing Walker to oversee his care.

“When I met Dr. Walker, I immediately knew he was the right surgeon—someone of integrity who listened carefully and was deeply passionate about his craft,” Starsiak said.

Cyst Removal Without Spinal Fusion

Walker performs endoscopic spine surgery, a minimally invasive technique that uses a small endoscope—about the width of a pen—to navigate hard-to-reach places inside the body. Compared with traditional surgery, the minimally invasive approach typically results in smaller incisions, less tissue damage and faster recovery.

In Starsiak’s case, the cyst was compressing nerves against his spinal canal, interfering with their ability to send signals between his brain and leg. That pressure can lead to loss of strength, sensation and coordination.

Removing the cyst would be challenging. In order to access the nerve and underlying cyst, a surgeon typically would need to remove a spinal joint and fuse the vertebrae with rods and screws to stabilize them.

“That would have been a life-altering operation for someone his age,” Walker said. “Fusion puts added stress on surrounding joints and can lead to future surgeries.”

Instead, Walker took a different approach.

Using an ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic procedure, Walker accessed the cyst through an endoscope with a small camera attached. After locating the affected nerve, he and his team were able to use the endoscope to guide them in removing the cyst—without cutting muscle, removing the joint or injuring the nerve.

“We had what felt like an impossible task,” Walker said. “I’m proud that Cedars-Sinai is able to treat patients who have complex cases.”

For Starsiak, avoiding fusion was critical.

“I was worried a fusion would significantly hamper—if not end—my ability to play sports and lift weights,” he said.

Life-Changing Relief

When Starsiak woke up from the procedure, he immediately felt relieved of the pain and pressure, as if a rock had been removed from his back.

His recovery took about eight weeks, and he focused on restoring mobility and strength in his hips, legs and back. Today, Starsiak is back to his normal routine—playing sports, off-roading and lifting weights at the squat rack.

The experience also changed his mindset.

Before the injury, Starsiak said, he measured success largely by career advancement. As a father of two, losing his mobility forced him to reconsider his priorities.

“The second you lose your health, you realize none of the other things really matter,” he said. “You can’t enjoy success if you’re not healthy.”

For Walker, that impact is what makes the work meaningful.

“As a neurosurgeon, it’s incredible to hone your craft—to work with your hands and see a problem fixed by the end of surgery,” he said. “But what’s even more rewarding is hearing later how it’s changed someone’s life—that’s the best part.”

Read more from the Cedars-Sinai Newsroom: Defying the Odds – Father's Love Leads to Life-Changing Surgery

“I probably needed a walker,” said Carroll, 68. “It was that bad.”

An orthopedic surgeon near his home in Northern California recommended a spinal fusion, an invasive surgery in which vertebrae are joined together to stabilize the spine, reducing pain. Recovery can take many months.

“It seemed like a harsh solution,” Carroll said. “But if that was what I needed to get out of pain, I figured it was what I had to do.”

When a physician friend encouraged him to get another opinion, Carroll turned to the Cedars-Sinai Virtual Second Opinion program. It gives patients outside Los Angeles a convenient way to access—at home, from their computer—customized treatment options by the medical center’s experts.

Carroll was quickly connected with spine surgeon Sang Kim, MD, assistant professor of Orthopaedics and director of Orthopaedic Spine Trauma at Cedars-Sinai. Kim evaluated the imaging studies from Carroll’s original surgeon and then made a video call to Carroll to share his opinion about his treatment options.  

“Terry had a foraminal disc herniation—a ruptured disc in the foramen, an area where nerve roots exit the spine and go to different parts of the leg,” Kim said. “That was causing weakness and pain.”

Kim recommended an extraforaminal microdiscectomy—a minimally invasive procedure with a faster recovery time than that of spinal fusion. Instead of fusing vertebrae, he would remove the part of the disc pressing on the nerve root.

Carroll was able to pursue the second option, thanks to Kim's expertise.

“I routinely perform extraforaminal microdiscectomies at Cedars-Sinai, but they are not commonly performed everywhere,” Kim said. “Some surgeons are not as familiar or comfortable with the procedure.”

Carroll told his surgeon in Northern California he was going to Cedars-Sinai for treatment.

“He completely understood, and it was all very professional,” Carroll said.

The surgery was on a Friday, and Carroll walked out of Cedars-Sinai the next day.

“My recovery was almost immediate,” he said. “I had worried that the treatment wouldn’t be a silver bullet, but it was. My goal was to get my life back, and in the hands of a skilled surgeon, I did.”

Sticking With the Original Opinion

Some patients who seek a virtual second opinion at Cedars-Sinai decide to follow their original physician’s treatment plan.

For Barbara Pitcher, of Idaho, spinal stenosis—a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the spinal cord—as well as scoliosis—an abnormal spine curvature—were causing hip and thigh pain.

“I’m a very active person and wanted to live my life,” she said.

Pitcher, a retired nurse, saw her local spine surgeon, who recommended a two-level fusion and discectomy. Before proceeding, Pitcher went online and found Cedars-Sinai’s Virtual Second Opinion program. She was encouraged to learn the medical center had a spinal stenosis specialist.

“This is exactly what I need,” Pitcher thought.

Right away, Pitcher was connected with Kim for an online consultation and a review of her MRI. Kim told Pitcher he agreed with the original surgeon’s treatment approach.

“I gave Barbara two options to consider,” Kim said, “but because she had scoliosis and spinal stenosis, I told her I felt fusion surgery was likely the best option for her.”

Pitcher said Kim relieved her anxiety about what to do.

“He was patient, answered every question and put my mind at ease,” she said. “Connecting with a specialist at a larger medical center that does many spine surgeries was great.”

Pitcher decided to have surgery in Idaho, for convenience. Her recovery has been smooth, and she is getting back to the outdoor activities she loves.

“A virtual second opinion from an expert fills the need of people like me who live in a rural area and would like a bit more direction,” Pitcher said. 

Building Trust, Near and Far

Through Virtual Second Opinion, Kim often meets patients like Carroll and Pitcher who live in rural areas and may not have access to a wide range of specialists.

“I feel like I’m making a big difference for these patients,” Kim said. “Sometimes they just need reassurance that the treatment they are considering in their local area is right for them, and I’m happy to provide that.

“Another advantage is the video portion of the Cedars-Sinai second opinion. It helps patients and physicians immediately start to build a rapport in that first virtual meeting. Patients feel comfortable saying, ‘I trust this person to take care of me.’”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Virtual Second Opinion—Here's What to Know

Momentum Spine, a graduate of the Cedars-Sinai Accelerator program, is an AI, mobile spine-imaging and monitoring platform. The platform personalizes the monitoring of spinal deformities while reducing the lifelong consequences of repeated radiation exposure.

“This technology is a true game changer, allowing many of our patients outside Southern California to receive radiation-free scoliosis assessments without the need for travel,” said David Skaggs, MD, co-director of Cedars-Sinai Spine, executive vice chair of the Department of Orthopaedics and director of Pediatric Orthopaedics at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children's. “Scoliosis can progress rapidly in growing children; this tool allows us to monitor changes closely and intervene early when needed.”

The pilot program, launched at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s, centers on Momentum Spine’s AI-driven, 3D-scanning technology, which enables radiation-free scoliosis assessments and digital models of the patient’s spine.

Parents can utilize the Momentum Spine application on their mobile phones to record a 45-second video of their child standing still while the parent walks around their child. This video is then automatically converted into a 3D model and analyzed by AI to determine the Cobb angle—a measurement used by healthcare providers—to determine the degree of spinal curvature in conditions like scoliosis. Both the 3D model and the analysis results are shared with the care team through a secure web portal. 

Patients also get electronic sensors that are fitted into the custom-fitted back braces. Through the advanced sensor technology and AI-driven, 3D analytics, clinicians can optimize treatment strategies while providing personalized feedback to patients and their families.

Traditionally, physicians rely on in-person visits, X-rays and self-reported brace compliance to treat scoliosis patients.

"Momentum Spine empowers parents to partner with their child’s doctor by providing real-time tracking of brace wear and scoliosis progression,” said Elaine Butterworth, RN, pediatric nurse navigator and the director of Patient Experience and Education for the Pediatric Spine Program. “By increasing compliance and reducing the need for frequent in-person visits, this technology enhances both patient care and peace of mind for families."

Patients also benefit from reduced travel—especially for those in rural areas. The app also enables closer monitoring and earlier intervention when necessary.

“Cedars-Sinai is the first health system to integrate Momentum Spine with both 3D scanning and brace sensors into its pediatric clinics,” said Philippe Miller, CEO of Momentum Health. “This collaboration is a significant step forward in spinal health, as we share the same goal—to ensure every child receives the best possible scoliosis care.”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Seeking a Second Opinion for a Spine Condition

“I am excited to have Dr. Tuchman as a partner in elevating and building the Cedars-Sinai Spine Center,” Skaggs said. “I have enjoyed partnering with Dr. Tuchman in research, educating the next generation of spine surgeons, and in the operating room. It takes a comprehensive team including both neurosurgical and orthopedic spine expertise to build on our foundation of leading-edge research while at the same time providing the highest-quality clinical care.” 

Tuchman, an assistant professor of Neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai, attended medical school at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and completed his neurosurgery fellowship at the University of Southern California. Before joining Cedars-Sinai in 2018, Tuchman also completed a spine deformity fellowship at Columbia University Medical Center in New York.

It was during his residency that Tuchman discovered the complexity, challenges and rewards of providing adult spinal care, and he did extra training in treatment of spinal malalignments and deformities such as scoliosis, sagittal plane deformities and flat back syndrome.

“These surgeries have impressive impacts on people’s quality of life,” Tuchman said. “The spine is the center connection point for your extremities and brain, and anytime there's a structural issue, it can cause devastating consequences. With reconstructive spine surgery, we can often restore function and relieve pain, taking someone who is basically homebound, or even bedridden, and getting them back out into the world.”

Tuchman also conducts research focused on outcomes for spine surgery patients, and treats adult patients with rare spinal conditions such as achondroplasia, a genetic condition that truncates the growth of the arms and legs and is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism.

He said proper selection of spine patients—and treatments—is paramount. An open dialog between the patient and the surgeon is essential so that the patient feels comfortable expressing their wants and needs and the surgeon can adapt a treatment plan to address those things.

“One of the biggest challenges for a spine surgeon is determining whether we can genuinely help,” Tuchman said. “If a patient’s spine problem is not going to respond well to spine surgery, then that person shouldn't have spine surgery, and if a spinal malalignment isn’t affecting the patient’s quality of life, perhaps it does not need to be treated.”

Keith L. Black, MD, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery and the Ruth and Lawrence Harvey Chair in Neuroscience at Cedars-Sinai, said that the robust resources of Cedars-Sinai and Cedars-Sinai Spine Center also are key factors in quality care.

“Spine surgery is a team sport and we have internists, cardiologists, physical and occupational therapists, anesthesiologists, surgical technicians, pain specialists, hospitalists, and top-notch nurses working with our surgeons to care for hundreds of spine surgery patients each month,” Black said. “Dr. Tuchman taking the reins as co-leader means continued excellence for the team and the best possible outcomes for our spine patients.”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Seeking a Second Opinion for a Spine Condition

When Grace was 12, her father, an orthopedic surgeon, gave her a hug and noticed that something wasn’t quite right.

“I remember my dad hugged me and was feeling my back and said, ‘you have scoliosis,’ I didn’t even know what that was,” said Grace. “I didn’t think it was a big deal, I thought I was fine and thought he was just being weird, but it turns out I had scoliosis.”

Grace, who grew up appearing in popular shows and movies like The Handmaid’s Tale, Young Sheldon, I, Tonya and Ghostbusters: Afterlife, began to notice her physical appearance gradually morphing into someone else.

By the time Grace turned 16, her scoliosis began to affect her work. For red carpet events, she would have her dresses altered so that one side was longer than the other to camouflage her scoliosis. On stage and in front of the cameras, Grace would stand as straight as she could, but by the end of the day, she would be tired and in pain.

“I had started to notice just how crooked I was standing and so were people around me,” said Grace. “I'd get in trouble on set all the time. They'd always be telling me, ‘Stand up straight,’ ‘Stop slouching,’ ‘Mckenna, you're on your mark, but you're all the way over here,’ ‘We need you to stand up,’ and so on.”

As Grace's quality of life declined, her parents could not watch their daughter in pain and knew that if her career was to continue, surgical intervention would need to be considered. Grace’s father heard of the right surgeon for the job: David Skaggs, MD, director of Pediatric Spine and Pediatric Orthopaedics at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s. 

When Grace met with Skaggs, her spine was at a 50-degree curve.

“What was unique about Mckenna is that her waist really looked asymmetrical, the layperson could see from across the room that something was going on,” said Skaggs. “When she bent forward she had a big hump on her back and she was becoming increasingly aware of it.”

With her rapidly deteriorating spine, Skaggs agreed that spinal surgery was the best option. The catch—she would need to heal and recover ahead of filming for the second Ghostbusters film.  

“She asked me, ‘is there any way I could have surgery and carry a 40-pound pack?’ I said, Of course you can. We'll get you back to filming.”

Skaggs and his multidisciplinary team got to work and performed spinal surgery, inserting metal rods, also known as spinal instrumentation, and screws across six vertebrates to straighten her spine.

“The reason we have surgery and care for these kids is so they can return to a normal life,” said Skaggs. “Now when we look at Mckenna, you can almost not tell that she ever had scoliosis or surgery. Mckenna’s body looks perfectly symmetrical and she’s over an inch-and-a-half taller.”

Following her successful surgery Grace took to social media to share her journey and encourage others.

“Mckenna was a rockstar,” said Elaine Butterworth, RN, pediatric nurse navigator and the director of Patient Experience and Education for the Pediatric Spine Program. “I remember her videotaping herself getting out of bed for the first time, when she was at her most vulnerable time and she not only recorded it but later posted it to help other kids.”

Back in the spotlight, Grace was standing tall and straight—just in time to walk the Ghostbusters carpet.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Supporting the Spine From Adolescence to Adulthood.

Earlier this year, Joseph Schwab, MD, joined Cedars-Sinai as the new director of Spine Oncology for Orthopaedic Surgery and the director of the Center for Surgical Innovation and Engineering, leading the expansion of the spine oncology program, providing destination expert care for patients with challenging spine disorders.

“Our growing spine and orthopaedic teams represent an unparalleled fusion of specialized expertise dedicated to transforming patient care,” said Mark Vrahas, MD, chair of Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics. “Our newest faculty bring with them highly tailored skills that will give patients personalized care and optimal outcomes.”

Joining Schwab are three new orthopaedic specialists.

Andrew Bach, DO, a physiatrist with a focus on physical medicine and rehabilitation, specializes in non-operative solutions for spinal issues.

Motivated by personal experience, Bach is dedicated to alleviating back pain without resorting to surgery whenever possible.

During his college years, Bach grappled with back pain and was advised to undergo spine surgery. Seeking alternative opinions, he was referred to a non-operative spine specialist who successfully relieved his pain, without having to undergo unnecessary surgical procedures.

Bach aims to guide patients toward accurate diagnoses and surgical evaluations only when necessary.

“Dr. Bach's involvement is crucial to our comprehensive spine care program, focusing on non-operative approaches,” said Theodore Goldstein, MD, vice chair of the Spine Center at Cedars-Sinai. “His role includes collaborating with therapists, devising spine protocols, and infusing energy, expertise, and cohesion into the often-challenging transition from in-patient care to acute or chronic rehab as needed."

Bach holds a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Pediatric orthopaedic surgeon Amelia Lindgren, MD, brings expertise in hip dysplasia, lower extremity deformity, and skeletal dysplasia.

Lindgren will provide care at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center.

“We look forward to the contributions Dr. Lindgren will make to our shared goals and endeavors,” said David Skaggs, MD, director of Pediatric Orthopaedics at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s. and director of Spine Service. “Her expertise will allow us to provide specialized care to our growing pediatric population.”

Lindgren completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of California, San Diego, and a fellowship in pediatric orthopaedic surgery at Nemours-DuPont Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. 

Spine surgeon Christopher Mikhail, MD, specializes in healing complex spinal pathologies, including spinal deformities such as scoliosis, congenital anomalies, and degenerative scoliosis.

Mikhail's expertise in spinal deformity surgery, as well as robotics and navigation, allow him to utilize the most advanced technology for preoperative surgical planning with artificial intelligence to execute surgical plans with the highest accuracy.

Mikhail completed residency in orthopaedic surgery at the Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and a combined orthopaedic and neurosurgical spine fellowship under the tutelage of Lawrence Lenke and Daniel K Riew at the Och Spine Hospital at New York Presbyterian at Columbia University, and Weill Cornell Medical Center.  

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Seeking a Second Opinion for a Spine Condition

Sixteen-year-old Rishee Ray is making history at Cedars-Sinai as the first pediatric patient to undergo halo-gravity traction ahead of spinal surgery.

Rishee has spent most of his life in a wheelchair due to a condition known as spinal muscular atrophy, a group of inherited diseases that affect the muscles responsible for voluntary movement in the body. 

The condition caused Rishee to develop severe scoliosis, with a 135-degree curve in his spine that was compressing vital organs and impairing his ability to sit upright. Additionally, he developed severe kyphosis, another dramatic curve from the side of his spine.

“When we looked at the right side of the chest, we could see his ribs literally stacked on top of each other, causing severe restrictive lung disease,” said Kenneth Illingworth, MD, pediatric spine surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s. “Not only that, but there was also severe shoulder imbalance and coronal imbalance when he was sitting down.”

Illingworth said that to correct the extreme curvature in Rishee’s spine, spinal fusion surgery was the best option. However, because the curvature was so severe, surgery would have to wait while Rishee underwent a different treatment.  

“When you have curves that are that large, it makes it extremely challenging to operate on,” said Illingworth. “It also makes it extremely dangerous to the spinal cord.”

As a prelude to surgery, Illingworth recommended halo-gravity traction, a method that gently stretches and straightens the spine using a lightweight metal ring or halo that is attached to the skull with small pins.

Once the halo is in place around the head, it is attached to a pulley system, and weights are gradually added to slowly straighten the curved or compressed spine.

Most halo-gravity traction procedures on children last between three and eight weeks. For Rishee, it was a five-week process.

“At first it was difficult; it was this new thing on my head, but I got used to it,” said Rishee.

Pooja Ray, Rishee's mother, provided constant support, staying by Rishee’s side day and night, sleeping alongside him at Cedars-Sinai Guerin Children’s.

“We’ve been in the hospital for 40 days, but we have a purpose, so I don’t give my comfort that much of a thought, my goal was more important,” Pooja said.

The process ultimately yielded remarkable results.

Halo-gravity traction reduced Rishee’s curvature by half, decreasing it from 135 to approximately 70 degrees. And the straightening gave Rishee an additional three inches in height.

“I know it looks barbaric, but trust me, it’s one of the best procedures when you have to do corrective scoliosis treatment,” said Pooja.

After the halo traction device proved successful, Illingworth proceeded with the spinal fusion surgery, providing Rishee with relief from the severe lung compression he had been enduring and improving his daily comfort in his wheelchair—a critical element of his everyday life.

With the successful surgery behind him, Rishee can now sit upright, igniting a newfound sense of hope and optimism for his future.

“I feel more confident,” said Rishee. “I am able to control my neck and body better and can hold my head up and sit up straight without any external support.”

Rishee, who divides his time between India and Los Angeles, is back to his hobbies of swimming and painting and is pursuing higher education. He feels tremendous gratitude to his care team at Cedars-Sinai and to his mother.

“My mom was a great support, both emotionally and physically,” said Rishee. “Without her, this couldn’t have been possible.”

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Seeking a Second Opinion for a Spine Condition

Schwab combines extensive experience in translational research and clinical trials with a record of high-quality clinical care. He specializes in the management of benign and malignant bone tumors as well as spinal disorders, including stenoses and myelopathy. His expertise will drive transformative advancements in spine oncology and surgical technology at Cedars-Sinai.

“Dr. Schwab's visionary leadership and profound impact on orthopaedic surgery make him an invaluable addition to our leadership team,” said Mark Vrahas, MD, chair of Cedars-Sinai Orthopaedics. “His expertise aligns seamlessly with our mission to deliver exceptional patient care and to pioneer new frontiers in orthopaedic medical research."

Schwab will lead the expansion of the spine oncology program, providing destination expert care for patients with challenging spine disorders. Under his direction, the Center for Surgical Technology and AI Research will foster interdisciplinary surgery discovery as Cedars-Sinai advances the development of innovative AI and predictive algorithmic applications for complex spine and musculoskeletal oncology care.

"I am honored to join Cedars-Sinai and contribute to the advancement of spine oncology and surgical technology," Schwab said. "Backed by an exceptional team and leading-edge facilities, we are ready to make groundbreaking strides in patient care, research and innovation."

Schwab comes to Cedars-Sinai from Harvard Medical School, where he served as an associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery. He also was chief of the Orthopaedic Spine Center, director of Spinal Oncology and co-director of the Stephan L. Harris Center for Chordoma Care at Massachusetts General Hospital. Additionally, he directed the SORG Research Laboratory, the Center for Physical Artificial Intelligence at Mass General and the Mass General Brigham Orthopaedic Registries.

Schwab is joined at Cedars-Sinai by a team of researchers from the SORG Research Laboratory, including mechanical engineer Hamid Ghaednia, PhD, whose research focuses on the development of biomedical devices and wearables using a combination of analytical and machine learning algorithms.  

Schwab received his medical degree and a master's degree in clinical pathology from Chicago Medical School and completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic, followed by fellowships in spine surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and the Rizzoli Institute in Bologna, Italy. He also completed a fellowship in orthopaedic oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and received a second master’s degree from the Harvard/MIT Clinical Investigator Training Program.

Read more on the Cedars-Sinai Blog: Seeking a Second Opinion for a Spine Condition