About Dr. Lenke

Dr. Lenke in his office at The Daniel and Jane Och Spine Hospital, opened in the summer of 2015.

Lawrence G. Lenke, MD: Titles & Locations

  • Professor of Orthopedic Surgery (in Neurological Surgery) with Tenure
  • Chief of Spinal Deformity Surgery
  • Columbia University Irving Medical Center
  • Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
  • Surgeon-in-Chief at New York Presbyterian Och Spine Hospital/Allen

View Dr. Lenke's CV

Profile Video

Educational Background

Dr. Lawrence Lenke graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Notre Dame. He attended medical school at Northwestern University in Chicago also graduating with honors. He completed his surgical internship and orthopaedic surgical residency at Washington University School of Medicine, where he also completed a pediatric and adult spinal surgery fellowship. Dr. Lenke remained at Washington University as an attending spinal surgeon, rising from the ranks of Assistant Professor to the Jerome J. Gilden Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery in less than 10 years

RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Dr. Lenke is world-renowned for the surgical treatment of pediatric and adult patients with various forms of spinal anomalies, with expertise in the most complex deformities. Thus, he is a leading authority on such spinal deformities as scoliosis, kyphosis, flatback syndrome, high-grade spondylolisthesis, and major coronal and sagittal malalignment. His recent accomplishments also include:

  • 2023 | Super Doctors | New York Super Doctors 2023. May 14, 2023 edition of The New York Times Magazine
  • 2023 | Castle Connolly Top Doctors | New York
  • 2022 | Castle Connolly Top Doctors | New York
  • 2022 | Harrington Guest Lecture “Optimizing Safety in Pediatric and Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery” | Annual Meeting of The Scoliosis Research Society, Stockholm Sweden, September 15th, 2022
  • 2022 | Scoliosis Research Society Walter P. Blount Humanitarian Award | Presented at the 57th Annual Meeting
    Stockholm Sweden, September 14, 2022
  • 2022 | Super Doctors | New York Super Doctors 2022. January 26, 2022 edition of The New York Times Magazine

See More Honors & Awards

Dr. Lenke & The Spine Hospital Honored

The Spine Hospital Honored at New York-Presbyterian Annual Gala

CURRENT ACADEMIC INTERESTS

Dr. Lenke’s goal has always been to be the top academic spinal deformity surgeon in the world. This internal drive is based on the connection between high-level spinal deformity research and optimizing patient care for those requiring surgery. He is principal investigator of a landmark international research study, “Evaluation of Neurologic Complications Associated with Surgical Correction of Adult Spinal Deformity (Scoli-RISK-1): A Prospective, Observational, Multi-center Study” in collaboration with AOSpine International and the Scoliosis Research Society, which won the Russell A. Hibbs Clinical Award for Best Clinical Paper at the 48th Annual Scoliosis Research Society Meeting in 2013.

His prolific clinical research has culminated in numerous publications (over 450), presentations (over 1000) as well as presiding as chair of over 100 spinal surgery courses worldwide has led to innovative treatments for his patients and many others globally. He has edited several textbooks on spinal deformity surgery, and serves as editor for such notable medical journals as:

  • Spine
  • The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
  • The Spine Journal
  • The Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques and
  • The Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics

While president of the Scoliosis Research Society, he chaired a task force that led to the development of a new journal, Spine Deformity, which debuted in January 2013 as the official journal of the SRS. Dr. Lenke serves as one of the inaugural deputy editors of this new journal. Based on his past academic and clinical achievements, Dr. Lenke offers the latest and safest techniques, giving extra attention to neurologic issues, for surgical correction of even the most severe spinal deformities.

  • View 2023 publication: Corrective Osteotomies for Rigid Spinal Deformities, featuring:
    • The rational, decision-making, meticulous planning, surgical strategies, and outcomes presented for each type of spinal deformity reflect the authors' extensive clinical and surgical experience
    • Step-by-step methodology for treating rigid spinal deformities, including anterior, posterior, and combined approaches
    • Anesthesiological aspects of spine correction in different stages of surgery and the importance of spinal neuromonitoring
    • Reader-friendly algorithms, full color photographs, and radiographic images enhance the understanding of underlying pathologies and treatment strategies
  • View article in Becker’s Spine Review: How to Move the Field Forward, with Dr. Lawrence Lenke >

 

 

Dr. Lenke alongside with founder, Dr. Anthony Rinella, believe it is important for children whose family live in countries that do not have the technology or appropriate training to perform the complex surgeries these children desperately need to live a happy and healthy life, thus; they donate their time through Global Spine Outreach, transforming the lives of patients with complex spinal deformities around the world and helping medical teams learn advanced spinal techniques.
bio-GSOdrs

Dr. Lenke alongside with founder, Dr. Anthony Rinella, donate their time through Global Spine Outreach.