MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL (Oct. 30, 2026) — Children’s Minnesota announced a new complex spine and deformity program, where patients with complex spine issues, including scoliosis, can now receive comprehensive care and improved wrap-around care. The program will see patients at the Children’s Minnesota Surgery and Specialty Center in Minnetonka and at Children’s Minnesota Hospital in Minneapolis.
The program opened in October and is led by James Caruso, MD, a surgeon with Midwest Spine & Brain Institute who serves as medical director of complex spine and deformity at Children’s Minnesota. Dr. Caruso completed his fellowship in pediatric spine surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. He brings specialized fellowship training in both pediatric and adult spine surgery, along with dual training in neurosurgery and orthopedic spine surgery. This breadth of experience is uncommon and supports a comprehensive approach to treating spine conditions across all stages of a patient’s life.
“Children with complex spine conditions require specialized care that addresses their growth, long-term function, and quality of life,” said Dr. Caruso. “A dedicated pediatric complex spine program brings experts together to provide each child with a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan.”
Program services and conditions treated
The program treats conditions including:
- Scoliosis (adolescent and early-onset)
- Neuromuscular and syndromic/genetic spine disorders
- Congenital spine disorders
- Kyphosis and sagittal deformities
- Spine growth disorders, tumor and other spine-related conditions
- Trauma-related spine deformities
- Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
- Revision pediatric spine surgery
The program offers the following services:
- Comprehensive spine evaluations
- Advanced imaging and scoliosis surveillance (including scoliosis X-rays, MRI, and CT)
- Bracing/orthotics and nonoperative management
- Inpatient and outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Multidisciplinary care, including pain management
- Surgery (including fusion and growth-friendly scoliosis surgery, as well as minimally invasive and motion-preserving approaches)
Read more about the services offered by the neurosurgery program.
About Children’s Minnesota
Children’s Minnesota is one of the largest pediatric health systems in the United States and the only one in Minnesota devoted exclusively to children, from before birth through young adulthood. An independent and not-for-profit system for more than 100 years, Children’s Minnesota offers more than 100 pediatric specialties through its two hospitals, nine primary care clinics, seven rehabilitation and eight specialty care sites throughout the Twin Cities metro area. The Kid Experts® at Children’s Minnesota are chosen by more families than any other pediatric health system in the region.
