Why NJ Families Choose Drs. ABC for Their Kids

When a child is diagnosed with scoliosis, the first thing most parents do is hunt for the best scoliosis surgeon New Jersey has to offer. They’re searching for someone who does a bit more than treat spines, who understands that the child’s entire future is contingent upon the right treatment options.

The fundamental difference between an average scoliosis specialist and a true specialist whose sole focus is on children can mean the difference between long-term restricted movement and a full, active recovery.

When New Jersey residents need the best option for scoliosis surgery in New Jersey, the Drs. ABC at the Institute for Spine & Scoliosis consistently sit at the top of the search results.

The Institute for Spine and Scoliosis is a world-renowned team pioneering scoliosis surgery in children that preserves flexibility and restores normal life for many.

Who Are Drs. ABC – New Jersey’s Most Trusted Scoliosis Specialists for Children?

Drs. ABC (Dr. M. Darryl Antonacci, Dr. Randal R. Betz, and Dr. Laury A Cuddihy) are nationally and internationally recognized as pioneers in pediatric scoliosis surgery. While their New Jersey practice serves local families daily, patients travel across the country to receive care from this team.

Children and adults dealing with spinal deformities, idiopathic scoliosis, neuromuscular scoliosis, degenerative scoliosis, and even spina bifida-related curvature know that Drs. ABC offer an exceptionally rare level of expertise.

About Dr. Antonacci 

Darryl Antonacci is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with extensive experience in both pediatric and adult spinal deformities. He serves as the attending physician at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, clinical assistant professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center, and attending physician at the University Medical Center of Princeton.

He is a fellow at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, the Scoliosis Research Society, the Cervical Spine Research Society, and the North American Spine Society, a breadth of credentials that reflects his surgical treatment expertise and his commitment to advancing the field.

He is also a rare, two-time recipient of the Russell Hibbs Award for Research from the Scoliosis Research Society, one of only a handful of individuals to ever receive this distinction.

The team collectively received the Bishop’s Award from Saint Peter’s Healthcare System for their pioneering work in less invasive and complex spine surgery, a recognition that speaks directly to the scoliosis care standard they set for New Jersey and the entire country.

A Team Built Around Children and Families

The Institute for Spine & Scoliosis focuses specifically on pediatric scoliosis and spondylisthesis. Children are the entirety of the mission. Families consistently describe the practice environment as warm and unhurried.

The team maintains a private Facebook (Meta) group for families, keeping parents in the loop and connected both before and after surgery. Throughout the process, family members receive calls, texts, and personal messages checking in on their child.

What Is Anterior Scoliosis Correction? The Children’s Scoliosis Surgery Drs. ABC Pioneered

Dr. Antonacci developed Anterior Scoliosis Correction (ASC) specifically to address the limitations of traditional children’s scoliosis surgical treatment, with less scarring, better outcomes, and preserved spinal flexibility that metal rods and spinal fusion can’t match.

ASC is a flexible, minimally invasive, muscle-sparing approach that corrects abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, whether the spinal curve is small, large, or stiff, without permanently fusing the vertebrae.

Unlike spinal fusion, which uses rigid metal rods to lock spinal segments in place, effectively eliminating the natural motion in that area, the anterior scoliosis correction kids and teens receive through this procedure preserves the spine’s natural range of motion throughout the entire process, including recovery.

No back muscles are cut, scarring is minimal, and children maintain the flexibility that they need for an active life, something traditional scoliosis treatment can’t reliably promise.

Why NJ Families Choose ASC Over Traditional Children’s Scoliosis Surgery

Traditional spinal fusion in children means fused vertebrae, permanent rigidity, months of restricted activity, and a long, difficult recovery that often ends athletic and physical pursuits. Children’s scoliosis surgery through ASC offers a sharply divergent path, with preserved motion, faster healing, and a return to normal childhood activities, a crucial aspect of their growing and maturing lives.

ASC treats a wide range of spinal deformities and curve types, like idiopathic scoliosis, neuromuscular scoliosis, degenerative scoliosis, and curves associated with conditions like cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy. This makes the treatment incredibly accessible to far more patients than procedures designed with only textbook cases in mind.

Every child receives an individually evaluated and carefully tailored surgical treatment plan, so there’s never a singular approach that’s all-encompassing.

What Is the Scoliosis Surgery Recovery Time for Kids with ASC?

For most parents, this is the part that generates the most anxiety. It’s not necessarily whether or not scoliosis surgery in New Jersey can fix the curvature of the spine, but what their child will have to go through afterward.

Scoliosis surgery recovery time for kids averages approximately four weeks, with most patients cleared to return to full recovery and unrestricted activity at six weeks post-surgery. This timeline is a far cry from traditional spinal fusion, where recovery can easily stretch into several months, plus physical therapy plays a prolonged role.

ASC’s faster recovery is a result of a minimally invasive technique with minimal blood loss, zero cutting into the back muscles, and minimal post-operative pain and inflammation.

Recognition that Reflects a Mission – New Jersey Top Doctor Scoliosis

The NJ Family Magazine “Favorite Kids’ Doctors” recognition is a reflection of the trust that New Jersey residents place in Drs. ABC, year after year. This New Jersey top doctor’s scoliosis distinction goes beyond surgical skills, acknowledging the compassionate, family-first environment that defines the practice from consultation to final follow-up.

Darryl Antonacci’s professional affiliations, spanning the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, the American College of Surgeons, and the Scoliosis Research Society, demonstrate that his influence extends well beyond The Garden State.

The Antonacci Foundation, established by Dr. Antonacci’s own children, works to help families manage the hospital costs associated with ASC, making sure that access to the best scoliosis care is not limited by financial barriers.

Frequently Asked Questions – Scoliosis Surgery for Kids in New Jersey

Who is the best scoliosis surgeon in New Jersey for children?

Drs. ABC (Dr. Darryl Antonacci, Dr. Randal Betz, and Dr. Laury Cuddihy) are widely recognized as the leading scoliosis specialist team in New Jersey for pediatric scoliosis surgery, with credentials, awards, and patient outcomes that speak for themselves.

What is the recovery time for children’s scoliosis surgery with ASC?

Scoliosis surgery recovery time for kids with ASC averages four weeks, with most children returning to unrestricted activity in six weeks, far faster than spinal fusion recovery, which can take several months.

Does scoliosis surgery in children affect flexibility?

Traditional spinal fusion significantly limits flexibility by permanently locking vertebrae together. Anterior scoliosis correction is specifically designed to preserve spinal flexibility, so children can continue bending, flexing, twisting, and living actively after surgery.

What types of scoliosis in children does ASC treat?

ASC treats a wide range of spinal deformities, including idiopathic scoliosis, neuromuscular scoliosis, curves associated with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and other neuromuscular conditions, as well as complex curvature cases in both growing and skeletally mature patients.

Does Darryl Antonacci treat patients outside of New Jersey?

Yes. While the Institute is based in New Jersey, Darryl Antonacci and Drs. ABC treat patients from across the United States and internationally. Families routinely travel for consultations and scoliosis surgery because of the team’s unmatched expertise in children’s scoliosis surgery.

New Jersey Families Deserve the Best – And so Does Your Child

If your child is diagnosed with scoliosis, you want a team that will treat your family with expertise, compassion, and unwavering support throughout the entire process.

Drs. ABC at the Institute for Spine & Scoliosis have built their practice around children and families, and the recognition from NJ families, medical institutions, and research societies proves it every year.

New Jersey families choose Drs. ABC for their surgical skill, their exceptional knowledge of children with scoliosis, and their hands-on expertise that shows throughout every step of the journey. 

Learn more today.