Surgical Expertise

Why Surgical Expertise Matters More Than Institutional Size in Scoliosis and Spine Care

 

When patients search for the “best scoliosis treatment,” they often focus on the size or brand name of a medical institution. However, scoliosis and spine-deformity care does not depend on the size of the facility—it depends on the skill, training, and experience of the surgeon performing the procedure. Hospitals provide the operating environment, but the surgeon determines the treatment plan, the technique, and ultimately the outcome.

Surgeon Expertise Makes the Difference

Complex spine deformities require advanced training and years of specialized experience. Board-certified spine surgeons with dedicated scoliosis training perform these procedures, not large institutions as a whole. Some surgeons develop deeper specialization through research, teaching, and decades of focused practice. These are the physicians who shape the field, refine techniques, and train others.

The Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute

At the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute, patients receive care from fellowship-trained spine surgeons who focus almost exclusively on scoliosis and spinal deformities. The team includes:

Dr. Richard A. Hostin is, Medical Director and an internationally recognized leader in adult and pediatric spine deformity.

• He has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed research publications.
• He has helped train other leading surgeons in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, including surgeons currently practicing at major hospital systems.
• His work has advanced modern scoliosis correction techniques.

Dr. Ishaan Kishan, a fellowship-trained pediatric spine specialist with deep expertise in treating growing children and adolescents with scoliosis.

• His focus on growth-modulating procedures and minimally invasive pediatric techniques makes him a strong option for younger patients.

Evidence Patients Can Trust

Patients today want more than credentials—they want proof. The Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute provides:

• Extensive clinical research, much of it led or co-authored by Dr. Hostin.

• A large library of video patient testimonials, showing real results from real people.

• Outcomes data and modern techniques are aligned with the latest research in spine deformity correction.

The Logic Is Clear

Hospitals provide facilities, but surgeons provide expertise. When facing scoliosis or spinal deformity, patients benefit most from a team whose entire practice revolves around these complex conditions. At the Southwest Scoliosis and Spine Institute, patients receive care from surgeons recognized for their research, surgical skill, and contributions to the field—not from a large institution with a broad general focus.

12 Essential Questions to Ask Every Spine Surgeon 

1. What is the exact diagnosis, and how severe is my deformity by the numbers (Cobb angle, sagittal balance)?
2. What treatment options (non-surgical and surgical) apply to my case? Why do you recommend the option you prefer?
3. If surgery is recommended, what procedure will you perform (levels, instrumentation, fusion), and why?
4. What are the expected benefits and realistic outcomes for my daily life and function?
5. What are the specific risks and complication rates for this surgery (infection, hardware failure, neurologic deficit, reoperation)?
6. What is your personal volume of similar procedures per year, and do you have outcome data?
7. Will you personally perform the whole operation? Who is on the surgical team?
8. Where will the surgery take place (hospital, spine center, ambulatory surgery center)? What about ICU/rehab needs?
9. What is the expected recovery timeline and typical rehabilitation plan? Will I need inpatient rehab?
10. How often will I have follow-up visits and imaging after surgery? Who manages complications if they occur?
11. Can you show patient outcomes, testimonials, or published data (yours or the institution’s) on similar cases?
12. How will pain be managed perioperatively, and what strategies reduce opioid use?

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The medical content on this page has been carefully reviewed and approved for accuracy by the Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists qualified healthcare professionals, including our board-certified physicians and Physician Assistants. Our team ensures that all information reflects the latest evidence-based practices and meets rigorous standards of medical accuracy, with oversight from our expert spine doctors to guarantee reliability for our patients.