Dr. Derek Lee

25/07/2025

Dr. Rigo's research confirms what we know: scoliosis bracing is dose-dependent.⁣
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While nighttime braces may seem convenient, full-time bracing delivers superior results for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with high progression risk. Consistent wear matters. 📊

17/07/2025

A grateful shout out to my patients for their thank you's! Amazing! Delicious!! ☺️

14/06/2025

08/06/2025

Kulsoom, thanks for gifting us this absolutely adorable chicken!! 🥰 So cute we did a quick photoshoot outside the Markham clinic. 📸

I know it's a very long drive from Guelph to Markham just to see us. It's been an honour to serve you and your family members all these years!! :)

08/06/2025

Thanks, Kulsoom, for gifting me this absolutely adorable chicken!! 🥰

We did a little photo shoot on the Markham clinic windowsill. So cute!

I know it's a very long drive from Guelph to Markham. Thanks for allowing me to serve you all of these years!! 🙂

03/06/2025

Happy June Scoliosis Awareness Month from the Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation! Please know that you are not alone. Let's work together to raise awareness and spread the word.

Sign up for our upcoming webinar (June 26th) for FREE: https://www.settingscoliosisstraight.org/event/2025-you-are-not-alone-patients-2-patients-webinar/?event_date=2025-06-26

03/06/2025

June is Scoliosis Awareness Month!!

For followers who are not aware, feel free to join and share my private scoliosis facebook group who's experts include vetted world class spine surgeons, orthotists and PTs.

We have just over 4.2K members and growing. This is a very unique group where anyone can ask questions, present cases to scoliosis experts and get feedback. As far as I know, this group is the most scientifically based scoliosis Facebook group existing and I'm proud to have created this community.

My thanks go out to my moderators, scoliosis experts and all members of the community who have made it so successful!

Join here. :)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1198200727630801

Send a message to learn more

06/03/2025

JUST RELEASED: My Game-Changing Scoliosis Interview with Dr. Brian Smith on MPHOS!

Hey scoliosis community! 👋 I'm SUPER excited to share my latest interview that could transform how you understand your child's scoliosis journey!

Dr. Brian Smith, MD just sat down with me to explain MPHOS - the Modified Proximal Humerus Ossification System that's revolutionizing how doctors predict curve progression! 🔍📈
💯 If you've ever been frustrated trying to understand:

"How long will my child need this brace?"
"Will the curve get worse after treatment?"
"How do doctors REALLY decide when surgery is needed?"
..this interview FINALLY gives you clear answers!
Dr. Smith breaks down exactly how skeletal maturity is assessed and what it means for YOUR treatment decisions. He explains everything in simple terms that actually make sense!
🎬 MUST-WATCH MOMENTS:

00:57 - The "aha moment" behind developing MPHOS
06:31 - The truth about bracing duration (not what you think!)
11:29 - The formula that predicts curve progression with amazing accuracy
13:57 - The game-changing takeaways every parent needs to know

If you're navigating treatment decisions right now, you NEED to watch this!
TAG a scoliosis parent who needs this info! ⬇️
SHARE to spread this knowledge to families who need it! ❤️

This interview is for educational purposes and covers information provided by Dr. Brian Smith, MD, regarding his opinions on scoliosis and MPHOS.This video i...

30/01/2025

Dr. Waleed Kishta, MD, on Syndromic and Rare Scoliosis Conditions

Here's my interview with Dr. Waleed Kishta (McMaster Children's Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) on managing complex scoliosis cases, including syndromic and rare conditions. Dr. Kishta shares valuable insights through multiple case studies and surgical approaches.

Some highlights:
- Comprehensive discussion of syndromic scoliosis management, covering preoperative planning, team coordination, and specialized surgical techniques
- Detailed analysis of 7 diverse cases, including congenital myopathy, Marfan syndrome, Ritt's syndrome and severe AIS with 120-degree curves
- In-depth exploration of MAGEC rods usage in young patients and decision-making process for growing rod implementation
- Critical insights on spinal cord risk management during severe curve corrections
Expert perspective on anterior vs posterior fusion approaches and the strategic use of posterior osteotomies
Full timestamp list for reference:
0:00 Introduction
1:18 Syndromic scoliosis.
2:30 General considerations. Medical history and systems review.
5:22 Surgical Planning.
6:33 Preoperative team.
7:05 Intraoperative traction.
7:34 Cell saver, tranxamic acid.
8:02 Imaging.
8:38 Case 1: Congenital Myopathy, 8 year old male, posterior fusion to pelvis.
10:12 Case 2: Congenital Marfan, 9 year old female, MAGEC rods.
11:55 Surgical decision making for using Growing Rods.
17:45 Case 3: Chromosomal abnormality, 5 year old female, MAGEC rods.
19:47 Case 4: Early onset idiopathic scoliosis, 5 year old female, MAGEC rods.
21:36 Case 5: Rett Syndrome, 14 year old female, posterior fusion.
23:16 Case 6: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, 120 degree curve,15 year old female, posterior fusion.
26:15 Anterior vs Posterior fusion discussion.
28:31 The use of posterior osteotomies.
30:50 Risk to spinal cord with severe surgical corrections.
33:17 Case 7: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, Sanders 3, VBT.
34:45 Home Message.

This interview is for educational purposes and covers information provided by Dr. Waleed Kishta, MD, regarding his opinions on scoliosis. This video is not ...

05/01/2025

Thanks to our patients for braving a cold Saturday to join in celebrating our Markham clinic's 1 year anniversary. Our patients are the best! :)

20/12/2024

10/12/2024

Dr. Paul Sponseller, MD, on Botox and bracing for scoliosis.

Here's my interview Dr. Paul Sponseller (Professor, Orthopaedics at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine) on the use of Botox as an adjunct to bracing for AIS. Dr. Sponseller discusses how he became interested in this technique with an update on his ongoing Botox and bracing study. See the timestamp below for where the conversation went. 🙂

Some highlights:
6:37 Botox injection protocol.
7:57 Why is botox injected into the concave side of the scoliosis curve?
8:43 How does Botox work on the muscles?
9:11 Anecdotal Botox and bracing results to date.
___________
Here's the full timestamp list to browse.
0:00 Introduction
1:17 Origin of the Botox and Bracing study?
2:35 Botox and scoliosis bracing study parameters.
5:18 What type of scoliosis curves are part of the study?
5:39 What style of brace is used in the study?
6:00 Scoliosis bracing hours and compliance.
6:37 Botox injection protocol.
7:57 Why is botox injected into the concave side of the scoliosis curve?
8:43 How does Botox work on the muscles?
9:11 Anecdotal Botox and bracing results to date.
9:58 What are the risk factors to Botox and bracing?
11:03 Is Botox and bracing applicable to more mature spines?
12:06 Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) and Botox.
12:57 Early Onset Scoliosis Casting and Botox.
13:45 Spine flexibility as a study parameter.
15:08 Appreciation to study volunteers.
16:02 To participate in the study: psponse@jhmi.edu

This interview is for educational purposes and covers information provided by Dr. Paul Sponseller, MD, regarding his opinions on the use of Botox with bracin...