Frank J. Schwab, MD

Chief, Spinal Deformity Service

NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases
New York, NY USA
 

Doctor Schwab is Chief of the Spinal Deformity Service at NYU-Hospital for Joint Diseases and Clinical Assistant Professor at the New York University School of Medicine. He is fully board certified and recognized for his expertise in complex pediatric and adult spinal surgery.

Dr. Schwab's clinical practice is focused on complex revision surgery (failed back, flatback), spinal deformity (scoliosis/kyphosis) and minimally invasive techniques. He is a leading member of the Spinal Deformity Study Group and sits on numerous committees of the Scoliosis Research Society.

Dr. Schwab regularly is invited to teach at surgeon's courses and presents original research at international meetings. His publications appear in the prestigious journals and textbooks of spinal surgery.

Financial Disclosure: 

DePuy, Medtronic: Grant/Research, Funding, Consultant
Nemaris: Stock holder

Publications 

Peer-reviewed Publications:

  1. Cohen, B., Schwab, F., Phillips, D.P., Chorney, G.C., Dick, H.M., Mow, V.C.: Microstructural tensile properties of the bovine distal femoral growth plate. Adv Bioengng, 17:9-12, 1990.
  2. Schwab, F., D. Nazarian, F, Mahmud, C. Michelsen,: Effects of Instrumentation on Lumbosacral Fusion. Spine 20:2023-2028. 1995.
  3. Acaraglou, F J Schwab, J-P. Farcy,: Simultaneous anterior and posterior approaches for correction of late deformity due to thoracolumbar fractures. Eur Spine J 5:56-62. 1996.
  4. Farcy, J.P.C., M.D., Schwab, F., M.D. Simultaneous anterior and posterior surgical approaches for correction of the flatback deformity. Resonances Europeennes Du Rachis. No.12. October 1996.
  5. Nagle, K,.M.D., Emerson, R., M.D., Adams, D., M.D., Heyer, E., M.D., Roye, D., M.D., Schwab, F., M.D., Weidenbaum, M., M.D., McCormick, P., M.D., Pile-Spellman, J., M.D., Stein, B., M.D., Farcy, J.P.C., M.D., Gallo, E., M.D., Dowling, K., M.D., Turner, C., M.D. Intraoperative monitoring of motor evoked potentials: a review of 116 cases. Neurology Vol.47: 999-1004, 1996.
  6. Farcy, J.P.C., M.D., Schwab, F., M.D. Management of Flat Back and Related Kyphotic Decompensation Syndromes. Spine Vol.22, No.20: 2452-2457, 1997.
  7. Schwab, F., Farcy, J-P, Roye, D.P.: Sagittal Pelvic Tilt Index as a Criteria in the Evaluation of Spondylolisthesis. Spine Vol.22, No.14: 1661-1667, 1997.
  8. Pascal-Moussellard H, Klein JR, Schwab FJ, Farcy JP Simultaneous anterior and posterior approaches to the spine for revision surgery: current indications and techniques. J Spinal Disord 1999 Jun;12(3):206-13.
  9. Farcy, JP.C., Schwab, F.J.: Posterior osteotomies with pedicle substraction for flatback and associated syndromes: technique and results of prospective study. Bull.Hosp Jt Dis 2000;59:11-6.
  10. Schwab FJ; Smith V; Farcy JP.: Endoscopic thoracoplasty and anterior spinal release in scoliotic deformity". Bull.Hosp Jt Dis 2000;59(1):27-32.
  11. Farcy, JP.C., Schwab, F.J.: Les osteotomies de correction des defauts d'alignment sagittal du rachis. Maitrise Ortho no.170:34-38. 2001.
  12. Schwab, F.J.; Smith, V.;Gamez, L.; Pagala, M.; Farcy JP.C.: Adult Scoliosis: a quantitative radiographic and clinical review. Spine Vol 27, No.4: 387-392, 2002.
  13. Farcy, JP; Schwab, F.J.; Benchikh, K.: Revison Surgery for Sagittal Malalignment: Treatment and a Focus on Etiopathology. European Spine Journal Vol 11 Supplement 1: S16-S17, 2002.
  14. Dubey, A.; Schwab, F.J.; Benchikh, K.; Hwang, K.S.; Smith, V.; Farcy, JP: Classification of Scoliosis in the Adult Patient: A Preliminary Approach. European Spine Journal Vol 11 Supplement 1: S39-S40, 2002.
  15. Schwab, F.J.; Smith, V.A.; Biserni, M.; Gamez, L.; Farcy, JP.C.; Pagla, M.; Adult Scoliosis A Quantitative Radiographic and Clinical Analysis. Spine. 27:387-392. 2002.
  16. Schwab, F.J.; Dubey, A.; Pagla, M.; Gamez, L.; Farcy, JP.C.: Adult Scoliosis: A Health Assessment Analysis by SF-36. Spine 28(6): 602-606; 2003.
  17. Schwab, F.J.; Benchikh, A.; Gamez, L.; Goodman, H.; Pagala, M.; Farcy, JP.: A Lumbar Classification of Scoliosis in the Adult Patient: preliminary approach. Spine. 2005 Jul 15;30(14):1670-3.
  18. Schwab, F.J.; Benchikh, A.; Gamez, L.; Champaign, N.; Skalli, W.; Farcy, JP.: Center of Gravity and radiographic posture analysis: a preliminary review of adult volunteers and adult patients affected by scoliosis. Spine. 2005 Jul 1;30(13):1535-40.
  19. Schwab, F.J.; Gamez, L.; Benchikh, A.; Dubey, A.; Hwang, K.; Pagala, M.; Farcy, JP.: Adult Scoliosis: prevalence, SF-36 and Nutritional Parameters in and elderly voluteer population. Spine 2005 May 1;30(9):1082-5.
  20. Glassman S, Bridwell K, Berven S, Horton W, Schwab F: The Impact of Positive Sagittal Balance in Adult Spinal Deformity. Spine 2005 Sep 15;30(18):2024-9.
  21. Schwab F, Farcy JP, Bridwell K, Berven S, Glassman S, Harrast J, Horton W. A clinical impact classification of scoliosis in the adult. Spine 2006 Aug 15;31(18):2109-14.
  22. Frank Schwab, M.D., Virginie Lafage, Reid Boyce, M.D., Wafa Skalli, Jean-Pierre Farcy, M.D. Gravity Line analysis in adult volunteers: age-related correlation with spinal parameters, pelvic parameters and foot position. Spine 2006;31:E959-67.
  23. Lowe T, Berven SH, Schwab FJ, et al. The SRS classification for adult spinal deformity: building on the King/Moe and Lenke classification systems. Spine 2006;31:S119-25.
  24. Lafage V, Schwab F, Skalli W, et al. Standing Balance and Sagittal Plane Spinal Deformity: Analysis of spino-pelvic and gravity line parameters. Spine 2007;(in review).
  25. Schwab F, Lafage V, Farcy JP, et al. Surgical rates and operative outcome analysis in thoracolumbar and lumbar major adult scoliosis: application of the new adult deformity classification. Spine 2007;(in review).

Reviews and Educationally Relevant Publications

  1. Farcy, J-P., Schwab, F.: Post traumatic kyphosis. Proper Contour of the fused spine. The evaluation of spondylolisthesis. The sagittal plane, the most important plane? Thoracolumbar trauma, concepts of surgical management. Metastatic tumor surgery, can we justify it? Surgery in Idiopathic scoliosis. Presented at the Fourth North European Spine Course for Surgeons. Nottingham, England. September 2, 1996.
  2. Farcy, J-P., Schwab, F.: Prevention and management of post-traumatic kyphosis. GICD course. Ottowa, Canada. September 25, 1996.
  3. Farcy, J.P.C., Schwab, F.: Ideal Contour of the Fused Spine Backtalk, The Scoliosis Association, Inc. Vol. 20, No. 1. January/February 1997.
  4. Farcy, J-P., Schwab, F.: Realignment for Flatback and Associated Syndromes. Consensus Conference, Lumbar Fusion. Group International Cotrel-Dubousset. Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy. January 20, 1997.
  5. Farcy, J.P.C., Schwab, F.: Ideal Contour of the Fused Spine. Backtalk, The Scoliosis Association, Inc. Vol. 20, No. 1. January/February 1997.
  6. Farcy J.P.C., Schwab, F.: Thoracolumbar trauma: Challenge of Fixation in elderly patient. Deformities: Decompensation induced by surgery. Combined procedure: staging and timing. Degenerative lumbar spine: Sagittal balance and iatrogenic flatback. 67th AO/ASIF Advance Spine Course. Davos Platz, Switzerland. December 14, 1997.
  7. Farcy J.P.C., Schwab, F.: Sagittal alignment in the management of adult scoliosis. Spinal osteotomy: closing wedge, opening wedge or pedicle subtraction? Sacral fixation: indications, techniques and results. Perspectives - L4- L5 fusions - open vs. endoscopic: Open. GICD-USA. Beaver, CO. January 18, 1998.
  8. Farcy J.P.C., Schwab, F.: Consensus Conference the Revision Surgery. Revision surgery for thoraco-lumbar injuries and for lumbo-sacral degenerative spine problems. GICD. Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. January 26, 1998.
  9. Farcy, J.P.C., Schwab, F.J.: Restoration of Sagittal Alignment for Iatrogenic Flat-Back. The Alumni Association of the NYU-HJD Orthopaedic Surgery. The 1998 Alumni Scientific Meeting. October 22,23, 1998.
  10. Schwab, F.J., Singh, K., Farcy, J.P.C.: Unilateral Approach to Posterior Lumbar Interbody in the Revision Setting. The Alumni Association of the NYU-HJD Orthopaedic Surgery. The 2002 Alumni Scientific Meeting. October 18, 2002.
  11. Schwab, F.J.: The Transforamenal Lumbar Interbody Fusion technique: Medtronic Sofamor Danek/Spinal Associates Cadaver Spine Surgery Program. October 9, 2002.
  12. Schwab F.J., Farcy J-P.C.: Revision Surgery in the setting of Adult Scoliosis. Backtalk, The Scoliosis Association, Inc.. Vol 26 (2). 2003.
  13. Schwab F.J., Farcy J-P.C.: Spinal fungal osteomyelitis with kyphosis. Spinal Frontiers. Vol 1(2). June 2003.
  14. Schwab F.J., Farcy J-P.C.: Spinal fungal osteomyelitis with kyphosis. Spinal Frontiers. Vol 1(2). June 2003.
  15. Schwab F, Lafage V, Farcy JP: Evaluating Spinal Balance and Center of Gravity in Spinal Deformity. Spinal Deformity Study Group, Instructional course, Saint Louis 2005.
  16. Schwab F, Lafage V, Farcy JP: The Kyphosing Spine:Presentation, evaluation, indications and goals of treatment Global Spine, New York, december 2005.
  17. Schwab F, Farcy JP: TLIF and minimally invasive lumbar fusion options: indications, techniques, outcomes. Are these options superior to current artificial disc options. Spine Course, Beaver creek 2005.ppt.
  18. Schwab F, Lafage V, Farcy JP: Sagittal plane considerations in treating pathologies of the aging spine Spinal Focus, December 8-9, 2006 - New York, NY.
  19. Schwab F, Lafage V, Farcy JP: Classification of Spinal Deformity in the Adult. February 26-28, 2007 - Las Vegas.
  20. Schwab F: When to operate on Adult Scoliosis patients and when to say No. SRS Course September 13-16, 2006 - Monterey, California

Books and Monographs

  1. Farcy, J-P., Schwab, F.: Compact Cotrel-Dubousset Instrumentation, in Lumbosacral and Spinopelvic Fixation. Ed. J.Y. Marguiles, Y. Floman, J-P. C. Farcy, M.G. Neuwirth. Lippincott-Raven. Philadelphia. 1996.
  2. Farcy, J-P., Schwab, F.: Limits of Lumbosacral Fusion, in Lumbosacral and Spinopelvic Fixation. Ed. J.Y. Marguiles, Y. Floman, J-P. C. Farcy, M.G. Neuwirth. Lippincott-Raven. Philadelphia. 1996.
  3. Farcy, J.P.C., Schwab, F.: Considerations for Fusion in the Lumbosacral Spine. Philadelphia, Hanley & Belfus, Inc. Vol. 11, No.1. January 1997.
  4. Pascal-Moussellard, H., Schwab, F., Farcy, J-P.: Fixed Pelvic Obliquity: A Treatment Approach. SPINE: State of the Art Reviews-Philadelphia, Hanley&Belfus, Inc.Vol. 12, No.1, January 1998.
  5. Klein, J.R., Schwab, F.J., Farcy, J-P.C.: Posttraumatic Kyphosis: Rationale and experience with simultaneous anterior/posterior technique. SPINE: Start of the Art Reviews, Philadelphia, Hanley&Belfus, Inc.Vol 12 (3), Sept 1998.
  6. Schwab, F.J., Klein, J.R., Farcy, J-P.C.: Simultaneous Anterior and Posterior Approaches to the spine for revision surgery: Current indications and techniques. In: J.Y. Marguiles, M. Aebi, J-P. Farcy editors: Revision Spine Surgery, St. Louis, 1999 , Mosby, pp 167-174.
  7. Klein, J.R., Schwab, F.J., Farcy, J-P.C.: Revisions of Thoracolumbar fractures treated surgically: Posttraumatic Kyphosis. In: J.Y. Marguiles, M. Aebi, J-P. Farcy editors: Revision Spine Surgery, St. Louis, 1999 , Mosby, pp 330-341.
  8. Schwab, F.J., Farcy, J-P.C.: Flat Back Syndrome and Related Kyphotic Decompensation Syndromes. In: J.Y. Marguiles, M. Aebi, J-P. Farcy editors: Revision Spine Surgery, St. Louis, 1999 , Mosby, pp 681-691.
  9. Schwab, F.J., Farcy, J-P.C.: Rationale for Realignment surgery for the Spine. In: J.Y. Marguiles, M. Aebi, J-P. Farcy editors: Revision Spine Surgery, St. Louis, 1999 , Mosby, pp 746-751.
  10. Matiyahu, A., Klein, J., Schwab, F.: Osteoporotic Fractures of the Spine. In: Vaccaro, Albert, ed. Master Cases: Spine surgery, pp262-268. New York. Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 2001.
  11. Farcy, J-P.C., Hoffman, B.D., Schwab, F.: Fixed Pelvic Obliquity. In: Vaccaro, Albert, ed. Master Cases: Spine surgery, pp426-434. New York. Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 2001.
  12. Schwab, F., Petracchi, M., Farcy, J-P.: Considerations for reducing complications in spinal deformity surgery. In: Errico, Moulton, Lonner, ed. Essential Concepts of Spinal Deformity Surgery. Elsevier Science. In press.