Paul David Sponseller, MD

Professional Titles

• Chief, Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics
• Sponseller Professor of Pediatric Orthopaedics

Primary Academic Title

Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

Background

Centers and Institutes

• Cardiovascular Connective Tissue Disorder Clinic
• Johns Hopkins Children's Center

Clinical Trial Keywords

Growing Spinal Deformity

Videos

• Dr. Paul Sponseller

• Skeletal Reconstruction | Owen's Story

Recent News Articles and Media Coverage

• Clinical Results and Functional Outcomes After Direct Intralaminar Screw Repair of Spondylolysis | Johns Hopkins Medicine (November 2022)

  Transformative Technology At Hopkins Allows Boy With Scoliosis To Live Normal Life | CBS Baltimore (November 2017)

  Cannulated Lag Screws Superior to Pins | Orthopedics This Week (January 2017)

  5 Facts about Scoliosis Every Parent Should Know | Johns Hopkins Medicine (October 2015)

  Getting Ahead of the Curve: A Fresh Take on Scoliosis | Physician Update (April 2014)

Additional Academic Titles

Professor of Urology

Research Interests

Bladder exstrophy, Marfan Syndrome, Pediatric skeletal trauma, Pediatric Spinal Deformity

Research Summary

Dr. Sponseller’s research is primarily clinical and focuses on genetic disorders, spinal deformity and trauma. His goal is to put clinical decision making on a scientific footing. His current projects include: outcomes of spinal deformity care in cerebral palsy, Loeys-Dietz syndrome and Marfan syndrome; understanding skeletal development and degeneration in a mouse model of Marfan syndrome; prevention of infection in spinal deformity; and improving pelvic fixation.

PubMed

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%28Sponseller+PD%29+AND+%28Johns+Hopkins%5BAffiliation%5D%29&sort=date

Research Gate

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul_Sponseller

Selected Publications

• Bellaire LL, Zhang C, Smith JT, Heflin JA, Klatt J, Roye D, Sponseller PD, Samdani A, Fedorak GT:  Growth-Friendly Spinal Instrumentation in Marfan Syndrome Achieves Sustained Gains in Thoracic Height Amidst High Rates of Implant Failure.  J Pediatr Orthop  2020: 40: 

• Cottrill E, Klyce W, Pennington Z, Ehresman J, Di Carlo H, Gearhart JP, Sponseller PD. Role of the pubic symphysis in osseous pelvic development: a novel model of bladder exstrophy in rabbits. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021;41(2):e181-187

• Hadad MJ, Xu AL, Bryant BR, Andrade NS, Hoon AHJ, Sponseller PD. Why the hips remain stable when the spine strays: a deeper analysis of the relationship between hip displacement and severe scoliosis in patients with cerebral palsy. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021;41(5):261-266.

• Klyce W, Mitchell SL, Pawelek J, Skaggs DL, Sanders JO, Shah SA, McCarthy    RE, Luhmann SJ, Sturm PF, Flynn JM, Smith JT, Akbarnia BA, Sponseller PD. Characterizing use of growth-friendly implants for early-onset scoliosis: A 10-year update. J Pediatr Orthop. 2020; 40(8):e740-746.

• Marrache M, Harris AB, Puvanesarajah V, Sponseller PD. Seasonal variation in the volume of posterior spinal arthrodesis procedures for pediatric scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2020;45(18):1293-1298

Honors

• Russell S. Hibbs Award for best clinical paper, Scoliosis Research Society, 1/1/21
• Clinical Teacher of the Year, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1/1/13
• Top Docs, Baltimore Magazine, 1/1/13
• Best Paper, Fourth International Congress on Early-Onset Scoliosis, 1/1/10
• Baltimore Magazine Top Doctor, 1/1/09
• Hero with a Heart Award, National Marfan Foundation, 1/1/06
• Yamaguchi Award for Best Paper in Pediatrics, American Urological Association, 1/1/05
• Arthur H. Huene Memorial Award, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, 1/1/05
• Teacher of the Year, Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1/1/01
• Antoine Marfan Award, National Marfan Foundation, 1/1/98
• Teacher of the Year (first year award given), Orthopaedic Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1/1/93
• Outstanding Teacher, Union Memorial Orthopaedic Program, 1/1/92
• Russell S. Hibbs Award for best clinical paper, Scoliosis Research Society, 1/1/86
• Alpha Omega Alpha, University of Michigan, 1/1/80
• Phi Beta Kappa, University of Michigan, 1/1/76

Memberships

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• American Orthopaedic Association
• International Rett Syndrome Association
• Maryland Orthopaedic Association
• Marfan Foundation
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation
• Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
• Scoliosis Research Society
• Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation / Harms Study Group

Professional Activities

• Cornelia deLange Syndrome Association, Clinical Advisory Board
• National Marfan Foundation, Professional Advisory Board
• Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, Research Committee Chair, BOD,
• Scoliosis Research Society, Past President
• The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Deputy Editor for Pediatrics