For all publications, please see the PubMed listing
About Dr. Owusu-Sarpong
Dr. Owusu-Sarpong is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery. His practice includes a spectrum of spinal disorders, ranging from congenital, degenerative, traumatic, and post-traumatic conditions in pediatric and adult patients. Dr. Owusu-Sarpong is trained in minimally invasive spine surgery, robotic-assisted spine surgery, complex deformity (including scoliosis and kyphosis) correction, and motion-preserving surgical techniques. When suitable, his practice leverages the most up to date, evidence-based surgical and non-surgical treatments.
Dr. Owusu-Sarpong’s philosophy to patient care is simple: treat everyone as if they are his family. This includes a patient-centered approach, tailoring the needs and goals of each individual patient, as well as a multidisciplinary effort, collaborating with the team of medical doctors, neurologists, physiatrists, and radiologists available at Hospital for Special Surgery. His goal is to improve the quality of life of each patient evaluated, irrespective of whether or not an operation is recommended.
Dr. Owusu-Sarpong received his Bachelor of Science at SUNY Albany, where he received the Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence and graduated summa cum laude. He subsequently received his Doctor of Medicine at Albany Medical College, earning scholastic excellence as well as induction into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Dr. Owusu-Sarpong completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital. During his final year, he was elected executive chief resident. Following residency, he completed a spine surgery fellowship at Hospital for Special Surgery, where he received specialized training in complex deformity and minimally invasive spine surgery. During his fellowship year, he was selected as one of four AO Spine North America Davos Traveling Fellows.
Dr. Owusu-Sarpong is actively involved in clinical research, with more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific articles, textbook chapters, and scientific presentations to his name. His major research interests include patient-reported outcomes after spine surgery, characterizing alignment targets in adult spinal deformity, and motion preservation versus fusion techniques. Dr. Owusu-Sarpong currently serves as a peer reviewer for the North American Spine Society Journal and the HSS Journal. He is an active member of the North American Spine Society, the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, AO Spine North America, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society.
Special Expertise
Robotic-assisted spine surgery
Minimally invasive spine surgery
Motion-preserving spine surgery
Sports-related spine injuries
Adult and pediatric scoliosis and kyphosis
Flatback deformity
Myelopathy (cervical, thoracic)
Fractures of the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
Degenerative disease (spondylosis, stenosis, spondylolisthesis)
Pseudarthrosis (non-union)
Spondylolysis, pars defects, pars fractures
Procedures
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
Anterior cervical disc replacement/arthroplasty (ACDR)
Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF)
Posterior atlantoaxial (C1-C2) fusion
Posterior occipitocervical fusion
Posterior cervical foraminotomy
Posterior cervical decompression (laminectomy) and fusion
Posterior cervical laminoplasty (motion-sparing)
Posterior thoracic decompression (laminectomy) and fusion
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)
Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF/XLIF)
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF)
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (laminectomy)
Minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy
Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF)
Minimally invasive pars defect repair
Scoliosis and kyphosis deformity correction
Revision spine surgery
Insurance
If your insurance is not listed, please call our office if you have questions regarding your insurance coverage. If you have out-of-network benefits, then your insurance may reimburse you for a portion of your office visit.
Credentials
Appointments
Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Instructor in Orthopaedic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College
Assistant Attending Orthopaedic Surgeon, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Affiliations
North American Spine Society
International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery
AO Spine North America
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
New York State Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons
J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society
Awards
State of Spine Surgery Think Tank Future Leader Grant, 2025
AO Spine North America Davos Traveling Fellow, 2024
Todd Albert Award for Excellence in Clinical Research Related to Spinal Disorders, 2023
Executive Chief Resident, 2023
The James and Rita Dougherty Orthopedic Surgery Award, 2019
The Charles Eckert Outstanding Academic Achievement in Surgery Award, 2019
Excellence in Clinical Teaching Award, 2019
Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, 2018
Scholastic Excellence, 2018
Phi Beta Kappa, 2015
Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence, 2015
Education
Medical School - Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, 2019
Internship - NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital (NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases), New York, NY, 2020
Residency - NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital (NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases), New York, NY, 2024
Fellowship - Complex Deformity and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, 2025
State Licensure
New York
Languages
English, Akan, Asante TwiFor My Patients
Publications by Dr. Owusu-Sarpong
Selected Journal Articles
Selected Books/Chapters
Owusu-Sarpong S, Qureshi S. Thoracolumbar Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques (Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Spine Surgery and Enabling Technology). Orthopaedic Knowledge Update 15. Wolters Kluwer, 2024.
Owusu-Sarpong S, Egol KA. Surgical Treatment of Pertrochanteric Hip Fractures. Geriatric Hip Fractures. Springer, 2021.
Selected Presentations
Owusu-Sarpong S, Ehrlich A, Asada T, Qureshi S, Iyer S. The Presence of Vacuum Disc Phenomenon on Preoperative CT Scan is Not Associated with Adverse Outcomes after Lumbar Laminectomy. International Society for Advancement of Spinal Surgery (SASS) 2025. Podium.
Owusu-Sarpong S, Ehrlich A, Asada T, Kim HJ, Iyer S, Qureshi S. The Double, Triple, or Quadruple Crush Phenomenon in the Cervical Spine: Increasing Number of Levels of Cord Compression Predicts Myelopathy Severity. AO Spine Fellows' Forum 2025. Podium.
Owusu-Sarpong S. Cervical Disc Arthroplasty. NYU Langone Orthopedics Chief Resident Grand Rounds 2024. Lecture.
Owusu-Sarpong S, Williamson TK, Fisher ND, Bi AS, Passias PG. Are Patient-Reported Drug Allergies Associated with Perioperative Complications Following Correction of Cervical Deformity?. Sir Robert Jones Scientific Meeting 2022. Podium.
Krol O, Passfall L, Owusu-Sarpong S, Ahmad W, Williamson TK, Imbo B, Joujon-Roche R, Tretiakov P, Lebovic J, Vira S, Passias PG. Determining the Impact of Proximal Junctional Kyphosis on Cost-Utility in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients. Scoliosis Research Society International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques 2022. Podium.
Owusu-Sarpong S, Abola MV, Lin CC, Lin LJ, Schreiber-Stainthorp W, Frempong-Boadu A, Buckland AJ, Protopsaltis TS. Are Postoperative Prophylactic Antibiotics Necessary in Cervical Spine Surgery? A Propensity Matched Analysis. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting 2022. Podium.
Williamson TK, Owusu-Sarpong S, Krol O, Tretiakov P, Joujon-Roche R, Imbo B, Ahmad S, Lebovic J, Schoenfeld AJ, Vira S, Alan N, Diebo BG, Smith JS, Lafage R, Lafage V, Passias PG. If Not Now, When?: A Comparative Analysis of Early-Term Versus Late-Term Complication Rates Following Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery. International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery 2022. Poster.
Owusu-Sarpong S, Williamson TK, Tretiakov P, Imbo B, Krol O, Joujon-Roche R, Moattari K, Diebo B, Passias PG. Characterizing the Effect of Surgical Approach and the Success of Deformity Correction on the Perioperative Quality of Swallowing in Patients Undergoing Corrective Surgery for Cervical Deformity. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting 2022. Poster.
Williamson TK, Owusu-Sarpong S, Krol O, Tretiakov P, Joujon-Roche R, Imbo B, Ahmad S, Lebovic J, Schoenfeld AJ, Vira S, Alan N, Diebo BG, Smith JS, Lafage R, Lafage V, Passias PG. An Economic Analysis of Early and Late Complications After Adult Spinal Deformity Correction. International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery 2022. Poster.
Owusu-Sarpong S, Iweala U, Bloom DA, Fischer CR. Characterizing the Effect of Perioperative Narcotic Consumption and Narcotic Prescription Dosing at Discharge on Satisfaction with Pain Control for Patients Undergoing Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting 2021. Poster.
Research
Research Interests:
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures after Spine Surgery
Adult Spinal Deformity
Motion Preservation versus Fusion Techniques
Enabling Technology (Robotics, Navigation, Augmented Reality)
Industry Relationships
HSS has a long history of supporting appropriate relationships with industry because they advance HSS's mission to provide the highest quality patient care, improve patient mobility, and enhance the quality of life for all, and to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and their related disciplines through research and education.
As of July 9, 2025, Dr. Owusu-Sarpong reported no relationships with the healthcare industry.
HSS and its physicians make this information available to patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy prohibits physicians from collecting royalties on products they develop that are used on patients at HSS.