Institute for Spine and Scoliosis, PA

Speciality: Orthopedic Surgery

Drs. M. Darryl Antonacci, Randal R. Betz and Laury A. Cuddihy are world-class scoliosis surgeons treating local New Jersey families and patients with scoliosis from all over the world. A board-certified spine and scoliosis surgeon, Dr. Antonacci has extensive surgical experience with adults and children, and is a world leader in scoliosis surgery.

Minimally-Invasive Treatment Options

The physicians at the Institute for Spine and Scoliosis are pioneers and leaders in the field of scoliosis both nationally and internationally, and focus on pediatric scoliosis and spondylolisthesis. Drs. Antonacci, Betz and Cuddihy restore function of the spine with near normal contour and movement—and significantly faster recovery—by utilizing surgical methods that are less invasive than traditional approaches.

Following in the footsteps of his four older siblings who are all physicians, Dr. Antonacci chose to specialize in scoliosis after seeing a need for minimally-invasive solutions with less scarring and better outcomes. He developed the Anterior Scoliosis Correction (ASC) procedure, a flexible approach for correcting the scoliosis curve that leaves minimal scarring. The muscle-sparing surgery helps maximize flexibility while straightening small, large and even stiff curves in both growing and mature patients.

“The ASC procedure is the most advanced minimally-invasive treatment for correcting the scoliosis curve. It gives a child the ability to continue an active life with flexibility,” he says.

“De-rotation of the curve has transformed who I can treat just by modifying the procedure,” Dr. Antonacci adds. “Curve de-rotation with Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) is difficult because ribs are in the way while ASC allows for de-rotation, therefore greater corrections are possible. ASC has become a corrective procedure, not a passive tether procedure like VBT. ASC is Drs. ABC’s multi-year, multi-generational and pioneering advancement of VBT.”

Support for Families

The practice provides a nurturing, supportive environment for families. “We never rush anyone, and always take the time to answer questions,” Dr. Antonacci says. The practice also offers a private Facebook group as a support forum for families to ask questions and share experiences.

“Everyone’s nervous when dealing with such a personal procedure, and parents have a lot of questions about pre-and post-care,” he says. “We’re not only there to support patients in the office or hospital, but my team and I are constantly checking in with our families via calls, text messages and emails.”

Making an Impact

Dr. Antonacci has studied and taught at some of the world’s most prestigious universities for spinal surgery. He maintains positions as attending physician in the department of orthopaedic surgery at Saint Peter’s University Hospital; clinical assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center, and attending physician in the department of orthopaedic surgery at the University Medical Center of Princeton.

Dr. Antonacci is among only a few individuals to receive the Russell Hibbs Award for Research from the Scoliosis Research Society twice.

A Diplomate of the National Board of Medical Examiners, Dr. Antonacci is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, American College of Surgeons, Scoliosis Research Society, Cervical Spine Research Society and the North American Spine Society. “It’s very rewarding to know that our treatments make such a huge impact in children’s lives,” he says.