John M. Flynn, MD

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John M. Flynn, MD, is Chief of the Division of Orthopaedics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a nationally recognized leader in the field of pediatric orthopaedic surgery. He holds the Richard M. Armstrong Jr. Endowed Chair in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery.

Areas of Expertise: Scoliosis in adolescents, infants and children, Fusionless techniques including VEPTR and magnetic growing rods, Non-operative scoliosis care including Schroth exercises, bracing and Mehta casting, Infant hip dysplasia (DDH), Fractures, Hip and spine disorders in children with cerebral palsy, Pediatric orthopaedic surgery, Hip disorders (pediatric)
Locations: Main Hospital; Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care; Specialty Care, King of Prussia; Middleman Family Pavilion

Appointments, Referrals and Video Visits: 215-590-1527

Background

John M. "Jack" Flynn, MD, is Chief of the Division of Orthopaedics at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). A nationally recognized orthopedic leader, Dr. Flynn’s primary clinical and research focus is scoliosis care for children and teens.

Each week in his clinic, Dr. Flynn offers second opinions for families from around the region and across the country. If your child or teen has been told they need spine surgery and you would like an expert second opinion, the CHOP Orthopaedics Nurse Navigator can quickly arrange VIP access, coordinate care with other CHOP specialists (e.g., neurology or cardiology), and offer travel, lodging and insurance advice. CHOP’s state-of-the-art facilities, nationally recognized low-complication rates, special spine teams and recovery pathways, and world-class anesthesia/nursing/therapy make it one of America’s top-ranked destinations for children and teens needing spine surgery.

Since joining CHOP in 1996, Dr. Flynn has focused his clinical care and research on innovations to improve the results and safety of pediatric and adolescent spine surgery. He pioneered the use of image-guided navigation for pediatric spinal deformity correction — significantly improving the safety of implant placement. He has collaborated with CHOP experts in anesthesia, pain management and post-operative nursing and therapy to develop the famous CHOP Scoliosis Rapid Recovery Pathway (RRP). The RRP, designed to maximize pain control and mobilization while minimizing opioid use, allows most children and teens to go home to their families only two to three days after major spine deformity correction. Since publishing the results of the CHOP RRP, many other centers across the country have adopted similar care standards.

Optimum care is always about teamwork. Working recently with CHOP’s Office of Clinical Quality Improvement, Dr. Flynn led an effort to create Dedicated Spine Teams (DSTs), assuring each child who has spine surgery at CHOP is cared for by a small group of expert anesthesiologists and nurses who work together daily, perfecting each step of the procedure. Since launching DSTs in 2015, spine deformity correction surgical times have been reduced by more than one hour each, meaning children get much less anesthesia and begin their recovery sooner; a recent scientific analysis of results also shows a trend toward lower complication rates with Dedicated Spine Teams. Dr. Flynn has presented this work at many academic centers around the nation, in spine safety courses for surgeons, and at the Best Paper Session of the 2017 Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting.

CHOP spine care teamwork extends beyond the operating room. Dr. Flynn’s team includes Theresa McIntosh, MSN, CRNP, who runs Dr. Flynn’s clinical practice and brings more than 25 years of experience in pre-operative teaching and post-operative spine care. While in the Hospital, a team of orthopaedic nurse practitioners oversee the post-operative care. 

Dr. Flynn is one of a small group of surgeons in the country with a focus on spinal disorders in very young children. Dr. Flynn helped found CHOP's Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome in 2004, the nation's first multidisciplinary program created to treat children with thoracic insufficiency syndrome and early onset scoliosis. He pioneered use of magnetic lengthening growing rods at CHOP, saving many young children planned repetitive surgery. 

Dr. Flynn is also a recognized leader in non-operative care for pediatric spine deformities. He helped establish CHOP’s Schroth physiotherapy scoliosis-specific exercise (PSSE) program, and led CHOP’s effort in the landmark National Institutes of Health BrAIST trial which conclusively proved the efficacy of back bracing as a treatment for scoliosis.

He is a member of several international multi-center scoliosis research networks, including the Harms Study Group, and the Growing Spine Study Group. He has been President of the Children’s Spine Study Group run by the Children's Spine Foundation.

Dr. Flynn earned his bachelor’s degree in natural sciences from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, and his doctor of medicine from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA. He completed his surgical training in the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Surgery Program, followed by a pediatric orthopedic fellowship at A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE.

Dr. Flynn’s leadership extends beyond CHOP. He has been President of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, President of the Children’s Spine Study Group, Research Committee Chair of the Scoliosis Research Society, he co-chaired the International Pediatric Orthopaedic Symposium, and is serving a 10-year team as a Director of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Flynn has published more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific articles, reviews or textbook chapters. He is editor of three principal texts in pediatric orthopaedic surgery: Lovell and Winter’s Pediatric Orthopaedics; Rockwood and Wilkins' Fractures in Children; and Operative Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. Flynn has served as a Visiting Professor at more than 60 academic centers nationally and internationally, speaking on improving quality, safety and value in pediatric spine deformity, optimizing care of pediatric fractures, and work-life integration and wellness for surgeons and physicians.

Dr. Flynn’s greatest passion is his family: wife Mary, and children Erin, Colleen, John and Kelly. His hobbies include outdoor sports, esp. rowing and biking, backyard farming and reading books that impart great wisdom.

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA

Residency

Orthopedics - Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Surgery Program, Boston, MA

Fellowship

Pediatric Orthopedics - A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE

Board Certification

Orthopaedic Surgery – American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Titles and Academic Titles

Chief, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery

Richard M. Armstrong, Jr. Endowed Chair in Orthopedic Surgery

Attending Surgeon

Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Conditions Treated

Departments and Services

Research Interests

Improving the results and safety of pediatric and adolescent spine surgery
Early Onset Scoliosis and Thoracic Insufficiency
Preventing surgery in children with spine deformities
Optimal treatment of pediatric fractures

Publications

Papers

2023

Gornitzky AL, England P, Kiani SN, Yellin JL, Flynn JM. Why Don't Adolescents Wear Their Brace? A Prospective Study Investigating Psychosocial Characteristics That Predict Scoliosis Brace Wear. J Pediatr Orthop. 2023 Jan 1;43(1):51-60.

Matsumoto H, Bonsignore-Opp L, Warren SI, Hammoor BT, Troy MJ, Barrett KK, Striano BM, Roye BD, Lenke LG, Skaggs DL, Glotzbecker MP, Flynn JM, Roye DP, Vitale MG. Strategies reducing risk of surgical-site infection following pediatric spinal deformity surgery. Spine Deform. 2023 Jan;11(1):71-86.

Matsumoto H, Fano AN, Quan T, Akbarnia BA, Blakemore LC, Flynn JM, Skaggs DL, Smith JT, Snyder BD, Sponseller PD, McCarthy RE, Sturm PF, Roye DP, Emans JB, Vitale MG. Re-evaluating consensus and uncertainty among treatment options for early onset scoliosis: a 10-year update. Spine Deform. 2023 Jan;11(1):11-25.

2022

Baldwin KD, Kadiyala M, Talwar D, Sankar WN, Flynn JM, Anari JB. “Does Intraoperative CT navigation increase the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in pediatric spinal deformity surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis”. Spine Deform. 2022 Jan;10(1):19-29.

Goldfarb CA, Wall LB, Brandt K, Nielsen E. Flynn JM, Hosseinzadeh P. “Pediatric Hand Fractures and Congenital Differences: An Analysis of Data from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery”. J Hand Surg AM. 2022 Feb;47(2):191.

Baghdadi S, Mahmoud MA, Flynn JM, Arkader A. “Unplanned Return to the Operating Room (UpROR) After Pediatric Diaphyseal Femoral Fractures”. J Pediatr Orthop. 2022 Feb 1;42(2):e120-e125.

Matsumoto H, Larson EL, Warren SI, Hammoor BT, Bonsignore-Opp L, Troy MJ, Barrett KK, Striano BM, Li G, Terry MB, Roye BD, Lenke LG, Skaggs DL, Glotzbecker MP, Flynn JM, Roye DP, Vitale MG. “A Clinical Risk Model for Surgical Site Infection Following Pediatric Spine Deformity Surgery”. J Bone Joint Surg AM. 2022 Feb 16;104(4):364-375.

Landrum MR, Milby AH, Yaszay B, Parent S, Nelson SE, Pahys JM, Samdani AF, Capraro AC, Flynn JM, Cahill PJ. “Thoracic Curve Correction Ratio: An Objective Measure to Guide against Overcorrection of a Main Thoracic Curve in the Setting of a Structural Proximal Thoracic Curve”. J Clin Med. 2022 Mar 11;11(6):1545.

Johnson MA, Gohel S, Flynn JM, Anari JB, Cahill PJ, Winell JJ, Baldwin KD. “Will I need a Brace?”: Likelihood of curve progression to bracing range in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis”. Spine Deform. 2022 May;10(3):537-542.

VanEenenaam DP, Houlihan N, Heyer JH, Flynn JM, Mitchell SL. “When Is an Isolated Olecranon Fracture pathognomonic for Osteogenesis Imperfecta?” J Pediatr Orthop. 2022 May-Jun;42(5):e515-e519.

Heyer JH, Baldwin KD, Shah AS, Flynn JM, Harms Study Group. “Benchmarking surgical indications for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis across time, region, and patient populations: a study of 4229 cases”. Spine Deform 2022 Jul;10(4):833-840.

Krakow AR, Talwar D, Mehta NN, Gandhi JS, Flynn JM. “Getting the Message: The Declining Trend in Opioid Prescribing for Minor Orthopaedic Injuries in Children and Adolescents”. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2022 Jul 6;104(13):1166-1171.

Mitchell SL, Heyer JH, Baldwin KD, Greenhill DA, Flynn JM, Anari JB. “Preoperative MRI Reliably Predicts Pedicle Dimensions on Intraoperative CT Images in Structural Main Thoracic Curves in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis”. Spine 2022 Jul 15.

Matsumoto H, Franzone JM, Sinha R, Roye BD, Glotzbecker MP, Skaggs DL, Flynn JM, Lenke LG, Sponseller PD, Vitale MG. “A novel risk calculator predicting surgical site infection after spinal surgery in patients with cerebral palsy”. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2022 Aug;64(8):1034-1043.

Mitchell SL, Heyer JH, Baldwin KD, Greenhill DA, Flynn JM, Anari JB. Preoperative MRI Reliably Predicts Pedicle Dimensions on Intraoperative CT Images in Structural Main Thoracic Curves in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2022 Sep 1;47(17):1221-1226.

Huang K, Houlihan N, Arkader A, Flynn JM, Williams BA. Early Knee Range of Motion Following Operative Treatment for Tibial Tubercle Avulsion Fractures Is Safe. J Pediatr Orthop. 2022 Oct 1;42(9):516-520.

Heyer JH, Anari JB, Baldwin KD, Mitchell SL, Luhmann SJ, Sturm PF, Flynn JM, Cahill PJ; Pediatric Spine Study Group. Lengthening Behavior of Magnetically Controlled Growing Rods in Early-Onset Scoliosis: A Multicenter Study. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2022 Oct 20.

Heyer JH, Mitchell SL, Garcia S, Flynn JM, Anari JB. A Modern Day Timeline for In-Hospital Monitoring in Perfused, Pulseless Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures. J Pediatr Orthop. 2022 Nov-Dec 01;42(10):589-594.

Fraser HG, Krakow A, Lin A, Harris H, Andras LA, Skaggs DL, Flynn JM, Fletcher ND. Outcomes of Posterior Spinal Fusion in Pediatric Patients with Down Syndrome. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2022 Dec 7;104(23):2068-2073.

Silvestre J, Flynn JM, Thompson TL, Oetgen ME. Case Volume Benchmarks During Residency and Fellowship Training for Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeons. Cureus 2022 Dec; 14(12).

2021

Bram JT, Flynn JM, Karkenny AJ, Shah RV, Talwar D, Baldwin KD. “Can Rapid Progression in Nonambulatory Cerebral Palsy Scoliosis Be Predicted Using Humeral Head Ossification?” J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Jan;41(1):e14-e19.

Nguyen JC, Guariento A, Nicholson A, Nguyen MK, Gendler L, Ho-Fung V, Zhu X, Talwar D, Darge K, Flynn JM, Cahill PJ. Hand Bone Age Radiography: Comparison Between Slot-scanning and Conventional Techniques” J Pediatr Orthop 2021 Feb 1;41(2):e167-e173.

Bram JT, Mehta N, Flynn JM, Anari JB, Baldwin KD, Yaszay B, Pahys JM, Harms Study Group, Cahill PJ. “Sinister! The high pre-op left shoulder is less likely to be radiographically balanced at 2 years post-op”. Spine Deform. 2021 Mar;9(2):451-460.

Swarup I, MacAlpine EM, Mayer OH, Lark RK, Smith JT, Vitale MG, Flynn JM, Anari JB, Pediatric Spine Study Group; Cahill PJ. “Impact of growth friendly interventions on spine and pulmonary outcomes of patients with spinal muscular atrophy”. Eur Spine J. 2021 Mar;30(3):768-774.

Goldfarb CA, Wall LB, Brandt K, Nielsen E, Flynn JM, Hosseinzadeh P. “Pediatric Hand Fractures and Congenital Differences: An Analysis of Data from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery”. J Hand Surg AM 2021 May 21.

Marciano G, Ball J, Matsumoto H, Roye B, Lenke L, Newton P, Vitale M, Harms Study Group. “Including the stable sagittal vertebra in the fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis reduces the risk of distal junctional kyphosis in Lenke 1-3 B and C curves”. Spine Deform 2021 May;9(3):733-741.

Rummey C, Flynn JM, Corben LA, Delatycki MB, Wilmot G, Subramony SH, Bushara K, Duquette A, Gomez CM, Hoyle JC, Roxburgh R, Seeberger L, Yoon G, Mathews KD, Zesiewicz T, Perlman S, Lynch DR. “Scoliosis in Friedreich’s ataxia: longitudinal characterization in a large heterogenerous cohort”. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2021 Jun;8(6):1239-1250.

Shin M, Arguelles GR, Cahill PJ, Flynn JM, Baldwin KD, Anari JB. “Complications, Reoperations, and Mid-Term Outcomes Following Anterior Vertebral Body Tethering Versus Posterior Spinal Fusion: A Meta-Analysis”. JBJS Open Access. 2021 Jun 23;6(2):e21.

Johnson MA, Lott C, Qiu C, Galagedera N, Flynn JM, Cahill PJ, Anari JB. “Rib-based Distraction Device Implantation Before Age 3 Associated with Higher Unplanned Rate of Return to the Operating Room”. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Jul 1;41(6):e369-e373.

Bram JT, Nocka HR, Cahill PJ, Flynn JM, Anari JB. “A seat at the table: an invitation to the SRS podium via the study group”. Spine Deform 2021 Jul;9(4):905-911.

Krakow AR, Magee LC, Cahill PJ, Flynn JM. “Could have tethered: predicting the proportion of scoliosis patients most appropriate for thoracic anterior spinal tethering”. Spine Deform 2021 Jul;9(4):1005-1012.

Patel A, Pahys JM, Samdani AF, Newton PO, Bastrom TP, Shah SA, Miyanji F, Hwang SW, Harms Study Group. “Early and Late hospital readmissions in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis”. Spine Deform 2021 Jul;9(4):1041-1048.

Mehta NN, Talwar D, Harms Study Group; Flynn JM. “Unplanned return to the operating room (UPROR) after surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis”. Spine Deform 2021 Jul;9(4):1035-1040.

LaValva SM, Anari JB, Flynn JM, Harms Study Group. “Risk factors for persistent coronal imbalance or revision surgery following L3 LIV selection in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS)”. Spine Deform. 2021 Jul;9(4):1063-1072.

Baldwin KD, Kadiyala M, Talwar D, Sankar WN, Flynn JM, Anari JB. “Does intraoperative CT navigation increase the accuracy of pedicle screw placement in pediatric spinal deformity surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis”. Spine Deform 2021 Jul 12.

Clement RC, Yaszay B, McClung A, Bartley CR, Nabizadeh N, Skaggs DL, Thompson GH, Boachie-Adjei O, Sponseller PD, Shah SA, Sanders JO, Pawelek J, Mundis GM, Akbarnia BA, Pediatric Spine Study Group. “Growth-preserving instrumentation in early-onset scoliosis patients with multi-level congenital anomalies”. Spine Deform. 2021 Sep;9(5):1491.

Segal DN, Ball J, Fletcher ND, Yoon E, Bastrom T, Vitale MG, Harms Study Group. “Risk factors for development of DJK in AIS patients undergoing posterior spinal instrumentation and fusion”. Spine Deform. 2021 Sep 16.

Magee L, Bram JT, Anari JB, Ramo B, Mayer OH, Matsumoto H, Brooks JT, Andras L, Lark R, Fitxzgerald R, Truong W, Li Y, Karlin L, Schwend R, Weinstein S, Roye D, Snyder B, Flynn JM, Oetgen M, Smith J, Cahill PJ. “Outcomes and Complications in Management of Congenital Myopathy Early-Onset Scoliosis”. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Oct 1;41(9):531-536.

Johnson MA, Flynn JM, Anari JB, Gohel S, Cahill PJ, Winell JJ, Baldwin KD. “Risk of Scoliosis Progression in Nonoperatively Treated Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Based on Skeletal Maturity”. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Oct 1;41(9):543-548.

Guzek RH, Mitchell SL, Krakow AR, Harshavardhana NS, Sarkissian EJ, Flynn JM. “Morphometric analysis of the proximal thoracic pedicles in Lenke II and IV adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: an evaluation of the feasibility for pedicle screw insertion”. Spine Deform. 2021 Nov;9(6):1541-1548.

Johnson MA, Gohel S, Mitchell SL, Flynn JM, Baldwin KB. “Entire-spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings and Costs in Children With Presumed Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis”. J Pediatr Orthop. 2021 Nov-Dec 01;41(10):585-590.

Parisien RL, Shin M, Trofa DP, Prasad A, Li X, Levine WN, Flynn JM, Ganley TJ. “Telehealth Utilization in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery”. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2021 Dec 15;29(24):1053-1060.

2020

Bachmann KR, Lu E,Novicoff WM, Newton PO, Abel MF, Buckland A, Samdani A, Jain A Lonner B, Yaszay B, Reilly C, Hedequist D, Clements D, Miyanji F, Shufflebarger H, Flynn J, Asghar J, Thiong JMM,Pahys J, Harms J, Bachmann K,Lenke L, Glotzbecker M, Kelly M, Vitale M, Marks M, Gupta M, Fletcher N, Cahill P, Sponseller P, Gabos P, Newton P, Betz R, Lehman R, George S, Hwang S, Shah S,Errico T, Upasani V; Harms Study Group; Harms Study Group Investigators.  “The Lumbosacral Takeoff Angle Can Be Used to Predict the Postoperative Lumbar Cobb Angle Following Selective Thoracic Fusion in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis J Bone Joint Surg AM. 2020 Jan 15;102(2):143-150.

Bachmann KR, Lu E, Novicoff WM, Newton PO, Abel MF, Buckland A, Samdani A, Jain A, Lonner B, Yaszay B, Reilly C, Hedequist D, Clements D, Miyanji F, Shufflebarger H, Flynn J, Asghar J, Thiong JMM, Pahys J, Harms J, Bachmann K, Lenke L, Glotzbecker M, Kelly M, Vitale M, Marks M, Gupta M, Fletcher N, Cahill P, Sponseller P, Gabos P, Newton P, Betz R, Lehman R, George S, Hwang S, Shah S, Errico T, Upasani V; Harms Study Group; Harms Study Group Investigators. “The Lumbosacral Takeoff Angle Can Be Used to Predict the Postoperative Lumbar Cobb Angle Following Selective Thoracic Fusion in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis”. J Bone Joint Surg AM. 2020 Jan 15;102(2):143-150.

Johnson MA, Cahill PJ, Qiu C, Lott C, Mayer OH, Flynn JM, Anari JB. “Comparison of T1-S1 Spine Height of Postoperative Rib-based Implant Patients With Age-matched Peers”. J Pediatr Orthop. 2020 Jan 23.

Adams AJ, Mahmoud MAH, Wells L, Flynn JM, Arkader A. ”Physeal fractures of the distal femur: does a lower threshold for surgery lead to better outcomes?” J Pediatr Orthop B. 2020 Jan;29(1):40-46.

Meza BC, Talwar D, Flynn JM. “Measures to reduce end-of-case wound contamination: the impact of intra-wound vancomycin powder and betadine irrigation on surgical site infections in posterior spinal fusion.” Spine Deform. 2020 Feb;8(1):45-50.

Homans JF, Kruyt MC, Schlosser TPC, Colo D, Rogers K, Shah SA, Flynn JM, Castelein RM, Pasha S. “Changes in the Position of the Junctional Vertebrae After Posterior Spinal Fusion in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Implicaton in Risk Assessment of Proximal Junctional Kyphosis Development”. J Pediatr Orthop 2020 Feb;40(2):e84-e90.

Segal DN, Grabel ZJ, Konopka JA, Boissonneault AR, Yoon E, Bastrom TP, Flynn JM; Harms Study Group, Fletcher ND. ”Fusions ending at the thoracolumbar junction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: comparison of lower instrumented vertebrae”. Spine Deform. 2020 Feb 5.

Miller DJ, Flynn JM, Pasha S, Yaszay B, Parent S, Asghar J, Abel MF, Pahys JM, Samdani A, Hwang SW, Narayanan UG, Sponseller PD, Cahill PJ, Harms Study Group. “Improving Health-related Quality of Life for Patients with Nonambulatory Cerebral Palsy: Who Stands to Gain From Scoliosis Surgery?”. J Pediatr Orthop 2020 Mar;40(3):e186-e192.

 

Morrison MJ 3rd, Speirs JN, Chicorelli AM, Garner M, Flynn JM, Herman MJ. “Intramedullary Fixation of Both Bone Forearm Fractures in Children and Adolescents: Healing Correlates with Development of the Olecranon Apophysis.” J Pediatr Orthop 2020 Mar;40(3):e198-e202.

Segal DN, Grabel ZJ, Konopka JA, Boissonneault AR, Yoon E, Bastrom TP, Flynn JM, Harms Study Group; Fletcher ND. “Fusions ending at the thoracolumbar junction in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: comparison of lower instrumented vertebrae”. Spine Deform 2020 Apr;8(2):205-211.

Anari JB, Flynn JM, Cahill PJ, Vitale MG, Smith JT, Gomez JA, Garg S, Baldwin KD; Children’s Spine Study Group. “Unplanned return to OR (UPROR) for children with early onset scoliosis (EOS): a comprehensive evaluation of all diagnoses and instrumentation strategies”. Spine Deform. 2020 Apr;8(2):295-302.

Lott C, Qiu C, McNeely LW, Galagedera N, Campbell RM, Flynn JM, Cahill PJ, Anari JB. “Can We Save the Implant: Rib-based Implant Removal Rates and Risk Factors Following Irrigation and Debridement (I&D) Surgery?”. J Pediatr Orthop May/Jun 2020;40(5):e346-e351.

Wright RW, Armstrong AD, Azar FM, Bednar MS, Carpenter JE, Evans JB, Flynn JM, Garvin KL, Jacobs JJ, Kang JD, Lundy DW, Mencio GA, Murray PM, Nelson CL, Peabody T, Porter SE, Roberson JR, Saltzman CL, Sebastianelli WJ, Taitsman LA, Va Heest AE, Martin DF. The American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Response to COVID-19” J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2020 Jun 1;28(11):e465-468.

Bram JT, Pirruccio K, Aoyama JT, Ahn J, Ganley TJ, Flynn JM. “Do Year-Out Programs Make Medical Students More Competitive Candidates for Orthopedic Surgery Residencies?” J Surg Educ 2020 June 3;S1931-7204(20)30143-4.

Flynn JM. “Mistakes Made and Lessons Learned: A Mid-Career Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgeon’s Journey to Sustain Energy and Avoid Burnout”. J Pediatr Orthop 2020 Jul;40:S16-S21.

El-Hawary R, Morash K, Kadhim M, Vitale M, Smith J, Samdani A, Flynn JM, Children’s Spine Study Group. “VEPTR Treatment of Early Onset Scoliosis in Children Without Rib Abnormalities: Long-term Results of a Prospective, Multicenter Study”. J Pediatr Orthop 2020 Jul;40(6):e406-e412.

Murphy RF, Barfield WR, Emans JB, Akbarnia B, Thompson G, Sponseller P, Skaggs D, Marks D, Smith JT, Flynn JM, Presson A, Sawyer JR, Johnston C, Pediatric Spine Study Group. “Minimum 5-Year Follow-up on Graduates of Growing Spine Surgery for Early Onset Scoliosis” J Pediatr Orthop. 2020 Aug 7.

Johnson MA, Cahill PJ, Qiu C, Lott C, Mayer OH, Flynn JM, Anari JB. “Comparison of T1-S1 Spine Height of Postoperative Rib-based Implant Patients With Age-matched Peers”. J Pediatr Orthop. 2020 Aug:40(7):344-350.

Hughes MS, Swarup I, Makarewich CA, Williams BA, Talwar D, Cahill PJ, Flynn JM, Anari JB. “Expert Consensus for Early Onset Scoliosis Surgery”. J Pediatr Orthop 2020 Aug;40(7):e621-e628.

Cahill PJ, Mahmoud MA, MacAlpine EM, Tatad AM, Campbell RM, Flynn JM. “Correlation between surgical site infection and classification of early onset scoliosis (C-EOS) in patients managed by rib-based distraction instrumentation”. Spine Deform 2020 Aug;8(4):787-792.

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 Sep;40(8):e740-e746.

LaValva SM, Baldwin K, Swarup I, Flynn JM, Pahys JM, Yaszay B, Abel MF, Bachmann K, Shah SA, Sponseller PD, Cahill PJ, Harms Study Group. “Prolonged Postoperative Intubation After Spinal Fusion in Cerebral Palsy: Are There Modifiable Risk Factors and Associated Consequences?” J Pediatr Orthop 2020 Sep;40(8):431-437.

LaValva SM, Adams A, MacAlpine E, Gupta P, Hammerbeerg K, Thompson GH, Sturm P, Garg S, Anari J, Sponseller P, Flynn JM, Cahill PJ, Pediatric Spine Study Group. “Serial Casting in Neuromucular and Syndromic Early-onset Scoliosis (EOS) Can Delay Surgery Over 2 years”. J Pediatr Orthop 2020 Sep;40(8):e772-e779.

Weltsch D, Baldwin KD, Talwar D, Flynn JM. “Expert Consensus for a Principle-Based Classification for Treatment of Diaphyseal Pediatric Femur Fractures”. J Pediatr Orthop 2020 Sep;40(8):e669-675.

Du JY, Poe-Kochert C, Thompson GH, Hardesty CK, Pawelek JB, Flynn JM, Emans JB, Pediatric Spine Study Group. “Risk Factors for Reoperation Following Final Fusion After the Treatment of Early-Onset Scoliosis with Traditional Growing Rods”. J Bone Joint Surg AM 2020 Oct 7;102(19):1672-1678.

Baldwin KD, Cahill PJ, Sponseller PD, Abel MF, Spiegel DA, Flynn JM, Pahys JM, Harms Study Group Investigators. “BMI Change following spinal fusion for neuromuscular scoliosis surgery”. Spine Deform 2020 Oct;8(5):1081-1087.

LaValva SM, MacAlpine EM, Kawakami N, Gandhi JS, Morishita K, Sturm PF, Garg S, Glotzbecker MP, Anari JB, Flynn JM, Pediatric Spine Study Group, Cahill PJ. “Awake serial body casting for the management of infantile idiopathic scoliosis: is general anesthesia necessary?” Spine Deform 2020 Oct;8(5):1109-1115.

Anari JB, Tatad A, Cahill PJ, Flynn JM, Harms Study Group. “The Impact of Posterior Spinal Fusion (PSF) on Coronal Balance in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS): A New Classification and Trends in the Postoperative Period.” J Pediatr Orthop 2020 Oct;40(9):e788-e793.

Beauchamp EC, Lenke LG, Cerpa M, Newton PO, Kelly MP, Blanke KM, Harms Study Group Investigators. “Selecting the “Touched Vertebra” as the Lowest Instrumented Vertebra in Patients with Lenke Type -1 and 2 Curves: Radiographic Results After a Minimum 5-Year Follow-up”. J Bone Joint Surg AM 2020 Nov 18;102(22):1966-1973.

Bram JT, Pirruccio K, Aoyama JT, Ahn J, Ganley TJ, Flynn JM. “Do Year-Out Programs Make Medical Students More Competitive Candidates for Orthopedic Surgery Residencies?” J Surg Educ 2020;77(6):1440-1449.

Cohen LL, Schwend RM, Flynn JM, Hedequist DJ, Karlin LI, Emans JB, Snyder BD, Hresko MT, Anderson JT, Leamon J, Talwar D, Glotzbecker MP. “Why Irrigate for the Same Contamination Rate: Wound Contamination in Pediatric Spine Surgery Using Betadine Versus Saline”. J Pediatr Orthop Nov/Dec 2020;40(10):e994-e998.

Anari JB, LaValva SM, Flynn JM, Tatad AM, Harms Study Group. “Severe persistent coronal imbalance following instrumented posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis”. Spine Deform 2020 Dec;8(6):1295-1304.

Books

2022

Flynn JM, Sankar WN eds Operative Orthopaedic Wolters Kluwer Health, Philadelphia, 3rd Edition, 2022.

2021

Skaggs D, Flynn J, Kocher M, Noonan K, Vitale M Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics Wolters Kluwer 2021.

Weinstein, SL, Flynn JM, Crawford H Lovell and Winter’s Pediatric Orthopaedics Edition Wolters Kluwer 2021.

2019

Waters PM, Skaggs, DL and Flynn JM Rockwood and Wilkin’s Fractures in Children: 9th Edition Wolters Kluwer 2019.

2016

Flynn JM, Sankar WN eds Operative Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery: Pediatrics Wolters Kluwer Health, Philadelphia, 2nd Edition, 2016.

2015

Flynn JM, Skaggs, DL, Waters PM Rockwood and Wilkin’s Fractures in Children: 8th Edition Wolters Kluwer 2015.

2014

Weinstein, SL, Flynn JM Lovelland Winter’s Pediatric

Chapters

Flynn JM, Hasler CC and Vitale MG. Early-Onset Spine Deformities. In: Lovell and Winter’s Pediatric Orthopaedics 8th Edition Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Vitale MG, Flynn JM, Skaggs DL. The Growing Child. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Flynn JM, Skaggs DL. Caring for the Injured Child. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Flynn JM. Trauma About the Elbow II: Other Fractures. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Flynn JM. Trauma About the Pelvis, Hip and Femur. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Skaggs DL, Flynn JM. Issues of the Newborn. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Flynn JM, Skaggs DL Vitale MG. The Limping Child. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Flynn JM, Skaggs DL Vitale MG. Syndromes Important in Pediatric Orthopaedics. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Kay RM, Flynn JM. Cerebral Palsy. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Arkader A, Flynn JM. Tumors. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Vitale MG, Skaggs DL, Flynn JM. Spine I: Early Onset Scoliosis. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Flynn JM, Skaggs DL, Vitale MG. Spine II: Adolescent Scoliosis and Kyphosis. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Skaggs DL, Flynn JM, Vitale MG. Spine II: Back Pain, Spondys and Other Issues. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Flynn JM. Hip I: Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Flynn JM. Hip II: Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis and Transient Synovitis Versus Septic Arthritis In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

Skaggs DL, Flynn JM, Kocher M, Noonan K, Vitale MG. Leading Your Team. In: Staying Out of Trouble in Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2nd Edition. Wolters Kluwer 2020.

 

Posters and Presentations

2021

Flynn J, Striano B, Muhly W, Kraus B, Sankar WN, Mehta V, Dezayas B, Feldman J, Keren R. “A Dedicated Pediatric Spine Deformity Team Significantly Reduces Surgical Time and Cost” (Presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American, Dallas TX 2021).

Anari JB, Cahill P, Vitale M, Smith J, Gomez J, Baldwin K, Flynn J. “Unplanned Return to OR for EOS Children: A Comprehensive Evaluation of all Diagnoses and Instrumentation Strategies” (Presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American, Dallas TX 2021).

Minkara A, Matsumoto H, Glotzbecker M, Flynn J, Smith J, Samdani A, Saiman L, Vitale M, Children’s Spine Study Group. “Building the Case for Optimal Prophylaxis for Growth-Friendly Surgery for Non-idiopathic Scoliosis: Using Vancomycin and Aminoglycosides” Poster (Presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American, Dallas TX 2021).

Nielsen E, Andras L, Hosseinzadeh P, Mignemi M, Flynn J, Albanese S, Skaggs D. “Changes in Pediatric Spine Surgery Patterns Over the Last 10 Years Among ABOS Part II Candidates” Poster (Presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American, Dallas TX 2021).

Gandhi J, Abo Elmagd M, Arkader A, Flynn J. “Unplanned Return to the Operating Room for Pediatric Diaphyseal Femoral fractures” Poster (Presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American, Dallas TX 2021).

El-Hawary R, Morash K, Kadhim M, Vitale M, Smith J, Samdani A, Flynn J, Children’s Spine Study Group. “VEPTR Treatment of Early Onset Scoliosis (EOS) in Children without Rib Abnormalities: Long-Term Results of a Prospective, Multicenter Study. E-Poster (Presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American, Dallas TX 2021).

Cahill P, Narayanan U, Miyanji F, Yaszay B, Parent S, Pahys J, Abel M, Shah S, Gabos P, Flynn J, Samdani A, Newton P, Harms Study Group, Sponseller P. “Impact of Spinal Deformity and Surgery on Health-Related Quality of Life in Cerebral Palsy: A Multicenter Prospective Controlled Trial”. (Presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American, Dallas TX 2021).

Mehta, N, Talwar D, Harms Study Group, Flynn J. “Unplanned Return to the Operating Room (UPROR) after AIS Surgery”. (Presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American, Dallas TX 2021).

Markiewitz N, Talwar D, Gupta S, Shah A, Flynn J. “Patient Factors and Small Area Variations Impact Opioid Prescription after Surgical Treatment of Supracondylar Humerus Fractures”. E-Poster (Presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North American, Dallas TX 2021).

Johnson MA, Gohel S, Flynn JM, Anari JB, Cahill PJ, Mitchell SL, Winell JJ, Baldwin, K. “Estimating the Risk of Scoliosis Progression in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Based on Skeletal Maturity” (Presented at the Scoliosis Research Society 56th Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO).

Guzek, R, Johnson MA, Krakow AR, Magee L, Jia L, Baldwin K, Winell JJ, Flynn JM. “Could Have Tethered, Glad We didn’t: A review of AIS patients Meeting Anterior Vertebral Body Tethering Criteria While Bracing” (Presented at the Scoliosis Research Society 56th Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO).

Ahmady A, Parker B, Gagnier J, Brooks JT, Cahill PJ, Fitzgerald R, Flynn JM, Sturm PF, Vitale MG, Li GY, Pediatric Spine Study Group. “When is Pelvic Fixation Necessary in Children with Hypotonic Neuromuscular Scoliosis (NMS) Treated with Growing Instrumentation?” (Presented at the Scoliosis Research Society 56th Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO).

Blouin V, Jullien V, Chemaly O, Deschenes S, Roy-Beaudry, M, Barchi S, Flynn JM, Parent S. “A Modified Position for Optimized Skeletal Maturity Assessment of AID Patients with Low-Dose Stereoradiography: Results of a Randomized Study on Image Quality and Dosage” (Presented at the Scoliosis Research Society 56th Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO).

Arguelles GR, Shin M, Cahill PJ, Flynn JM, Baldwin K, Anari JA. “Complications, Reoperations and Mid-Term Outcomes Following Anterior Vertebral Body Tethering vs. Posterior Spinal Fusion: A Meta-Analysis” E-poster (Presented at the Scoliosis Research Society 56th Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO).

2020

Mehta N, Flynn J, Miller D, Sankar W, Cahill P, Fazal F, Shah A. “Pills at Home: Teenagers Report Pain and Opioid Usage Following Posterior Spinal Fusion in AIS Using Text Messaging” (presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America Annual Meeting – Virtual 2020).

Murphy R, Barfield W, Emans J, Akbarnia B, Sponseller P, Thompson G, Skaggs D, Marks D, Johnston C, Flynn J, St. Hilaire T, Sawyer J, Smith J. “Five Year Radiographic Outcomes Following Discontinuation of of Growth Friendly Surgery for Early Onset Scoliosis”. (presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America Annual Meeting – Virtual 2020).

Weltsch D, Baldwin K, Talwar D, Flynn J. “Expert Consensus for a Principle-Based Classification in Treatment of Diaphyseal Pediatric Femur Fractures”. (presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America Annual Meeting – Virtual 2020).

Bram J, Karkenny A, Shah R, Talwar D, Baldwin K, Flynn J. “In Serch of a Warning Signal: Predicting Rapid Curve Progression in Neuromuscular Scoliosis” (presented at Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America Annual Meeting – Virtual 2020).

LaValva SM, Baldwin K, Swarup I, Flynn JM, Pahys JM, Yaszay B, Abel M, Bachmann K, Shah SA, Sponseller PD, Harms Study Group, Cahill PJ. “Prolonged Post-Operative Intubation Following Spinal Fusion in Cerebral Palsy: Are there Modifiable Risk Factors and Associated Consequences?” (Presented Virtually at the 55th Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting, 2020).

Nguyen JC, Alves AG, Nicholson A, Gendler L, Ho-Fung V, Alyssa S, Nguyen M, Winnie Z, Talwar D, Darge K, Flynn JM, Cahill PJ. “Comparison between Low-Dose Slot Scanning and Conventional Radiography for Hand Bone Age: Imaging Quality and Radiation Dose”. (Presented Virtually at the 55th Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting, 2020).

Murphy RF, Emans JB, Sponseller PD, Marks DS, Skaggs DL, Thompson GH, Flynn JM, Akbarnia BA, Smith JT, Sawyer JR. “Revision Rates of 5-Year Minimum Graduates of Growth Friendly Surgery for Early Onset Scoliosis” (Presented Virtually at the 55th Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting , 2020).

Bram JT, Karkenny AJ, Shah R, Talwar D, Baldwin K, Flynn JM. “Can Rapid Progression in Cerebral Palsy Scoliosis Be Predicted Using Humeral Head Ossification?” E-Poster (Presented Virtually at the 55th Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting, 2020).

Murphy RF, Flynn T, Emans JB, Flynn JM, Anari JB, St. Hilaire T, Pediatric Spine Study Group, Sawyer JR. “Changing Practice Over the Past 20 Years in Early Onset Scoliosis Surgery” E-Poster (Presented Virtually at the 55th Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting, 2020).

Oetgen M, Smith JT, Vitale MG, Heflin J, Flynn JM. “Predicting Unplanned Return to the OR with MCGR” (Presented Virtually at ICEOS Annual Meeting 2020).

 

Awards and Honors

2022, Main Line Today Top Docs, Orthopedics
2022, Philadelphia Magazine's Top Doctors in Orthopaedic Surgery
2006, Hibbs Award for Best Clinical Paper, Scoliosis Research Society 41st Annual Meeting
2005-present, Best Doctors in America
2005, Jesse T. Nicholson Teaching Award, Department of Orthopaedics 
2004, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Dean’s Award for Excellence in Clinical Teaching
2004, AAOS Leadership Fellows Program
2003, American Registry of Outstanding Professionals
2002, Who’s Who in Medicine and Healthcare (Marquis 4th ed.)
2002, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America Traveling Fellowship—Europe 2002
2001, American Registry of Outstanding Professionals
2001, Best Doctors for Kids, Philadelphia Magazine
1989, Harold Sankey Award for best student in Orthopaedics, University of Pittsburgh Department of Orthopaedics
1988, Alpha Omega Alpha

Editorial and Academic Positions

Editorial Positions

2012-present, Editorial Board, Journal of Spinal Deformity
2004-present, Reviewer, Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics
1998-present, Consultant/Reviewer, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery
1998-present, Reviewer, University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Journal

Academic Committees

2010-present, Conflict of Interest Committee, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
2005-present, Claims Committee, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
2000-present, Residency Selection Committee, University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
1996-present, Trauma Committee, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia