Dr. Taemin Oh

05/07/2026

Thank you to for the opportunity take part in a plenary discussion on pediatric .

I reviewed fantastic work done by Dr. Nisha Gadgil and Will Baltazar from , showing that rates of scoliosis progression and fusion are higher after intrathecal baclofen pump placement.

I suspect baclofen therapy likely affects truncal tone, which then worsens sitting balance and contributes to scoliosis progression.

Robust statistics, excellent presentation, great work all around.

Look forward to reading the paper when it publishes!

03/30/2026

Today is National Doctors' Day, and I've been reflecting on how I got from LARPing at Medieval Times to where I am today.

I knew I wanted to be a neurosurgeon since high school. The brain and spine are the most complex organs of the body, and I was drawn to that complexity early. I loved anatomy and I loved collaborating with others. It was the perfect fit.

So, I traded in my wooden sword and shield for the scalpel.

After many difficult years of training and taking care of sick patients, I finally got there. And it was worth it.

Every day, I get to help families navigate a tough time in their lives.

It's such a unique privilege to help improve the quality of life for young patients during their development.

Happy Doctors' Day to every physician showing up for their patients!

03/16/2026

Is motion-preserving surgery the right choice for every scoliosis patient?

I recently had the honor of joining the to discuss the current landscape of pediatric spine surgery, specifically focusing on ( ) as an alternative to fusion.

We also discussed into some complex adult deformity cases to see where the lines between pediatric and adult spinal care blur.

If you are a patient, parent, or medical professional interested in the latest non-fusion technologies, this talk is for you.

🎥 Watch the full lecture at the link in my bio.

01/29/2026

Kids with scoliosis deal with way more than most people realize, and a lot of unexpressed frustration and self-consciousness can unknowingly come from their friends.

Feel free to share this with someone who could use it.

Little things make a big difference. 💜

01/25/2026

There’s no shortage of scary or misleading information about kids’ brains, especially on social media and parenting forums.

As a pediatric neurosurgeon, these are some of the most common myths I hear from parents… and the truths that usually surprise them.

Save this post. Share it with another parent who might need it. 💜

01/20/2026

Winter sports are fun! ❄️ But we can't escape physics.

High speeds, hard surfaces, and falls = big forces on the head and spine, especially in growing kids.

Helmets, safe practices, and situational awareness help keep kids safe in the snow and on the slopes. 🪖

12/18/2025

Vitamin D and calcium form the bedrock of your spine and helps bones grow strong. Vitamin D and calcium deficiency can be common and often silent, but it can affect how strong and resilient the spine is during growth spurts.

While low Vitamin D levels will not cause scoliosis, studies have shown that there is some correlation (Source).

What can we do about it?
☀️ Sunlight helps
🥛 Milk and fortified foods help
🩺 Routine Vitamin D and calcium supplements can boost levels

Optimizing bone health won’t “cure” scoliosis, but it will support growth, strength, and overall spine health during critical years.

For that reason, I always encourage patients with curves of all shapes and sizes to consider taking Vitamin D and calcium supplements!

📚 Source: Balioglu MB et al. Vitamin D Measurement in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. J Pediatr Orthop. 2017.

12/18/2025

So, your kids are home for the holidays and you want to make sure they're entertained and healthy. Got it!

Breaks from school may mean more travel (insert travel emoji), but they can also mean more screens, lounging, and long hours indoors. All of which can add up for growing spines.

Here are a few easy, low-key ways to keep kids moving and comfortable over the next few weeks.

11/24/2025

Helping your child recover from spine surgery isn’t just about rest and wait it out. It’s about creating comfort, finding balance, and adding a little love along the way.

💬 Drop a comment if you have recovery questions!

11/21/2025