Arun Hariharan, MD, MS

09/15/2025

Logan is a 4 year old boy who came to us last year with both hips dislocated which had gone undiagnosed. Most people think of hip problems as something you’re born with, but they can show up later too.

The signs aren’t always obvious — sometimes it’s a limp, trouble keeping up with other kids, or one leg looking shorter than the other. If left untreated, it can cause pain and serious problems with walking as kids grow.

Surgery brought both of Logan’s hips back into place from completely dislocated to stable and aligned. A year later, he’s running, climbing, and thriving.

The lesson: if your child has a limp or seems “off” with how they move, it’s worth getting checked. Early recognition and treatment can make all the difference.

09/12/2025

Families, caregivers, and providers—this symposium is for you.

Join Drs. Feldman, Hariharan, and Huser in West Palm Beach, February 27–28, 2026, for two days of education, connection, and innovation in the orthopedic care of rare conditions.

Register today: thepaleyfoundation.org/orthopedic-treatment-of-rare-conditions-symposium.

09/05/2025

Scoliosis is very common in children and teens with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). These curves often appear earlier and progress more quickly than in other children, and the added challenges of muscle weakness, breathing concerns, and hip problems can make treatment decisions more complex.

Surgery, when it becomes necessary, requires careful planning. Families can expect a team approach that brings together spine surgeons, lung specialists, anesthesiologists, and rehabilitation experts. The goal is always to create a plan that is as safe as possible and tailored to each child’s needs.

I recently spoke with SMA News Today about these considerations and what families should keep in mind when thinking about surgery. I hope this article helps provide clarity and reassurance as patients and families navigate the next steps.

Pediatric spine surgeon Arun Hariharan answers common questions about scoliosis surgery for children and teens with spinal muscular atrophy.

09/03/2025

Neurosurgery is a field where precision, focus, and years of training are essential, and the team you work with makes all the difference. I’m grateful to operate alongside our neurosurgeons, Drs. Asadi and Raffa, learning from their expertise, exchanging ideas, and supporting one another as we tackle challenging cases.

This is the kind of collaboration that allows us to deliver the best possible care to every patient we see.

08/28/2025

Here’s a sneak peek from our quarterly multidisciplinary meeting with the pediatric orthopedic, spine, and neurosurgery teams.

We meet to go over our complex cases together to arrive at a plan collectively. We also discuss our prior cases and talk about what we could’ve done better or differently. And lastly we talk about our research endeavors and future plans.

These meetings are highly educational and engaging for all our team members and we believe plays a big role in improving our care for patients.

08/21/2025

Caleb is an 8-year-old who came to us with lasting effects from an elbow fracture he sustained at age 5. The fracture, called a supracondylar humerus fracture, had healed improperly after treatment elsewhere, leaving his elbow stuck in an inward, rotated, and hyperextended position. This wasn’t just a cosmetic issue, it made everyday activities and sports like throwing, catching, and swimming difficult.

We identified the issue with the way his bone had healed and performed a corrective osteotomy to realign the elbow. Just a couple of months after surgery, his arm has healed beautifully, his alignment is nearly symmetric, and he’s back to practicing throws with confidence.

A simple intervention made all the difference, and it’s always rewarding to see kids return to full function and potential.

08/12/2025

Here’s to Dr. Harry Shufflebarger.

I knew Harry for about five years and worked alongside him for the last three. He was a great teacher and mentor, and he (eventually) trusted me to take care of his patients — a responsibility I’ve always taken to heart.

In his 50-year career, he treated thousands of children, led the Scoliosis Research Society, founded the Harms Study Group, and shaped the field of pediatric spine surgery for generations. Some of my favorite memories are the dinners we shared or being called up in the middle of an OR day to see patients he is referring to me. The conversation inevitably drifted to fishing and the stories and advice that came with it.

Here’s to a life well-lived, a career that changed our field, and a legacy that will keep going in every patient and surgeon he influenced.

08/11/2025

For Nils, surgery wasn’t just about straightening his spine, it was a project he dove into with the same enthusiasm he has for technology, photography, and gaming. He wanted to understand every step, and even contributed to our research to improve scoliosis care for others.

Pre-op, his 80-degree curve would have intimidated many. Instead, he saw it as a challenge to solve, working with our team to develop a plan that preserved his mobility while securing his long-term spine health.

Nearly a year later, Nils’s posture has changed, but so has his perspective. He’s proof that being an engaged, informed partner in your own care can make all the difference!

08/05/2025

Gabriella is a 14-year-old athlete who started having serious back and leg pain. Over time, it got so bad that even walking became difficult. After imaging and evaluation, she was diagnosed with high grade Spondylolisthesis — a condition where one of the bones in the lower spine slips far forward over the one beneath it.

This kind of slip can pinch the nerves in the back, leading to pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs. In Gabriella’s case, it was affecting her ability to stay active, and even do basic things like stand for long periods.

She had surgery to take pressure off the nerves, realign the spine, and stabilize it so it could heal in the right position.

Nearly a year later, she’s doing incredibly well and back to moving with strength and confidence.

Spondylolisthesis can sound scary, especially in young athletes, but with the right care and determination like Gabriella’s, recovery is absolutely possible.

07/28/2025

Marihlee is a young girl with scoliosis who recently underwent surgery. She’s doing well in recovery and already back to moving around and regaining confidence.

The goal with surgery is to correct the curve and help kids return to their normal routines. She’s off to a great start.

07/24/2025

Excited to be named the new Section Chief of Pediatric Orthopedics and Spine at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach.

Titles don’t change the work, but they do reflect the trust of the institution and the responsibility that comes with it. Excited to continue pushing this program forward with a focus on thoughtful care, surgical precision, and better outcomes for kids and families.

07/23/2025

🎙 New episode of the Paley Pod is live!

In this episode, Arun Hariharan, MD, is joined by Schroth Method expert Meredith Weiss to explore how personalized scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE) can slow curve progression and improve posture, strength, and alignment.

As one of just five active teachers of PSSE in the U.S., Meredith breaks down what makes this non-surgical approach so effective—and what families should look for in a qualified therapist.

Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/45i0wkH
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4f4xvfB