No two spines — and no two scoliosis curves — are identical. Patient-specific surgical planning uses each patient’s own imaging to build an individualized plan before surgery begins, rather than relying on a generic approach applied the same way to every patient.
Who This Is For
Patient-specific planning is used across scoliosis, spinal deformity, complex revision surgery, and general spine procedures where precise implant sizing, positioning, and trajectory matter — particularly in cases involving curved or previously operated anatomy.
What the Planning Process Involves
- Detailed preoperative imaging: CT and X-ray imaging is used to build a 3D model of the patient’s specific spinal anatomy, including curve pattern, vertebral rotation, and bone quality.
- Implant planning: Screw size, length, and trajectory are planned in advance for each vertebral level based on that patient’s own anatomy, rather than determined entirely in the operating room.
- Alignment goals: For deformity correction, target alignment is planned based on the individual patient’s spinal and pelvic parameters — not a single standard target applied to everyone.
- Intraoperative verification: Robotic guidance and navigation help execute the plan with precision, and intraoperative imaging confirms implant position before the patient leaves the operating room.
Why This Matters Most in Complex Cases
Patient-specific planning offers the greatest value in cases where anatomy is least predictable — significant scoliosis or deformity, revision surgery with altered anatomy from prior procedures, and cases involving older hardware that needs to be assessed and worked around carefully. In these situations, planning in advance — rather than improvising entirely during surgery — supports both precision and safety.
Technology Supports the Plan; It Doesn’t Replace Judgment
Planning tools and intraoperative technology are aids to surgical judgment, not substitutes for it. The plan itself is built on the surgeon’s clinical decision-making, and the surgeon adapts in real time if intraoperative findings differ from the preoperative plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does patient-specific planning mean a custom implant is made for me?
In most cases yes, but not always. Planning often refers to how standard implants are sized and positioned for your specific anatomy. True custom-manufactured implants are a specialized option used in most of Dr. Sardar’s scoliosis and deformity cases — learn more on our Custom Rods and Patient-Specific Implants page.
Is patient-specific planning used for every surgery?
The level of preoperative planning is tailored to the complexity of each case. More extensive planning is generally used for deformity, revision, and complex reconstruction cases.
What imaging is needed for planning?
Typically a CT scan, MRI scan, in addition to standard X-rays, allowing detailed 3D modeling of bone anatomy ahead of surgery.
Request a Consultation
To learn whether patient-specific planning is relevant to your case, call 212-932-5187 or visit the contact page.
This information is educational and is not a substitute for an individualized medical evaluation.
Reviewed by Dr. Zeeshan Sardar, MD, MSc, F.R.C.S.C — Last reviewed: June 2026.