Spinal Deformity Surgery in New York City
Dr. Zeeshan Sardar, MD, MSc, F.R.C.S.C
Co-Chief of Spinal Deformity Surgery • NewYork-Presbyterian / Columbia University
Och Spine Hospital • New York, NY
Spinal deformity is among the most complex and life-altering conditions a patient can face. Whether you are an adolescent with scoliosis, an adult living with progressive curvature, or a patient who has had prior spine surgery that has failed, choosing the right surgeon is the most important decision you will make. Dr. Sardar specializes exclusively in the most challenging cases — the patients that other surgeons refer to him.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Scoliosis — Adolescent & Adult
Scoliosis is an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine that affects both adolescents and adults. Dr. Sardar treats the full spectrum of scoliosis severity, from adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) requiring surgical correction to adult degenerative scoliosis causing pain, nerve compression, and functional decline. He is one of New York’s most experienced scoliosis surgeons.
Kyphosis (Roundback Deformity)
Kyphosis refers to an excessive forward rounding of the thoracic spine. It can result from Scheuermann’s disease in younger patients, vertebral compression fractures in older patients, or as a complication of prior surgery. Severe kyphosis can cause significant pain, neurological compromise, and difficulty standing upright. Dr. Sardar performs complex kyphosis correction surgery including posterior column osteotomies, Smith-Petersen osteotomies (SPO), and three-column osteotomies (PSO/VCR) when required.
Flatback Deformity
Flatback deformity occurs when the normal lumbar lordosis (inward curve of the lower back) is lost, causing patients to lean forward. It is a debilitating condition that makes it exhausting to stand or walk for extended periods. It can develop after spinal fusion surgery, vertebral fractures, or degenerative disc disease. Dr. Sardar specializes in surgical correction of flatback deformity through realignment procedures that restore normal sagittal balance.
Revision & Complex Reconstruction
Prior spine surgery that has failed — whether due to hardware failure, adjacent segment disease, pseudarthrosis, or progressive deformity — represents some of the most technically demanding cases in all of spinal surgery. A significant portion of Dr. Sardar’s practice consists of revision cases referred by surgeons across the country who are not comfortable proceeding. If you have had spine surgery in the past and are not doing well, Dr. Sardar offers expert evaluation and individualized revision surgical planning.
Harrington Rod Revision
Patients who had scoliosis surgery decades ago with Harrington rod instrumentation may develop late complications including flatback deformity, hardware failure, adjacent level degeneration, or progressive pain. Dr. Sardar has specialized expertise in evaluating and surgically revising these complex long-segment reconstructions, restoring alignment and relieving symptoms.
WHY CHOOSE DR. SARDAR
Three Spine Fellowships
Dr. Sardar is one of the very few spine surgeons in the United States to have completed three separate spine fellowship training programs — at Cedars-Sinai (combined orthopedic & neurosurgical spine), Texas Back Institute (artificial disc replacement), and Columbia University / NewYork-Presbyterian (advanced spinal deformity under Dr. Lenke). This breadth of training gives him an unmatched perspective on complex cases.
Columbia University & NewYork-Presbyterian
Dr. Sardar operates at the Och Spine Hospital at NewYork-Presbyterian, consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the United States for orthopedic surgery and neurology. As Co-Chief of Spinal Deformity Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center, he leads one of the highest-volume spinal deformity programs in the country.
Active Researcher & Educator
Dr. Sardar is an active member of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) and the AO Spine Knowledge Forum Deformity Group. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and regularly presents at national and international spine meetings. His research directly informs the surgical decisions he makes for his patients.
Patients Travel From Across the Country
Dr. Sardar sees patients from across the United States and internationally. If you are coming from out of state or abroad, our team can help coordinate your care. Video consultations are available in NY, NJ, CT, FL, PA, MO, CA, and TX. International patients can contact the NewYork-Presbyterian Global Services office at +1-212-746-9100.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Every patient who comes to Dr. Sardar receives a thorough, individualized evaluation. This includes a detailed review of your imaging, a comprehensive physical examination, and a candid conversation about your goals and options — both surgical and non-surgical. Dr. Sardar believes that surgery should only be offered when it is truly the best path forward, and he will never recommend an operation that is not clearly in your interest.
For patients requiring surgery, Dr. Sardar uses the most advanced techniques available, including robotic-assisted spine surgery, intraoperative neuromonitoring, and real-time 3D imaging, to maximize precision and minimize risk. He personally follows every patient from the pre-operative visit through hospital discharge and all post-operative appointments.
REQUEST A CONSULTATION
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sardar, call 212-932-5187 or send us a message using the contact form below.
Sardar Spine | NYC Spinal Deformity & Scoliosis Surgeon 