A new option before bracing or surgery?
For many families, scoliosis treatment feels like a difficult choice between years of brace wear and major spinal surgery. PAMO (Paraspinal Muscle Optimization) was developed to offer another option — a non-surgical medical procedure performed under image guidance, without incisions, stitches, or general anesthesia.
Four decades dedicated to pediatric spine care.
For more than 40 years, Professor Semih Keskil has treated children with neurological and spinal disorders. Throughout his career, he observed a recurring challenge: many young scoliosis patients struggled with brace compliance, while others wished to avoid surgery but had few alternatives.
Decades of pediatric neurosurgical practice, combined with doctoral-level expertise in neuroanatomy, gave Professor Keskil a unique ability to evaluate both the structural and neurological dimensions of the spine — a perspective that, after nearly a decade of research and clinical evaluation, became PAMO.
"For forty years, I performed surgical treatments for scoliosis. Many of my patients struggled with braces, while others chose to live with their curvature rather than undergo surgery. This is what motivated me to search for a different solution." — Professor Semih Keskil
A hospital-based procedure built on four decades of clinical experience.
Non-Surgical and Brace-Free
No incision. No stitches. No general anesthesia. PAMO is a hospital-based medical procedure designed for selected adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.
Efficient, Hospital-Based Care
The procedure typically takes approximately one hour, and patients are generally discharged the same day following observation.
Individualized Procedural Planning
Every patient undergoes a comprehensive clinical and radiological evaluation. In most cases, two procedural courses are sufficient, while a third is required only occasionally.
Why families trust Professor Semih Keskil.
PAMO emerged from the intersection of pediatric neurosurgery, neuroanatomy, and nearly a decade of dedicated research into paraspinal muscle asymmetry and spinal balance.
The role of paraspinal muscles in spinal balance.
The paraspinal muscles play an important role in spinal alignment through the regulation of muscle tone, force symmetry, and functional control. When these mechanisms become imbalanced, asymmetric forces may be transmitted to individual vertebral segments — over time contributing to the maintenance and progression of spinal curvature in some patients.
This perspective led Professor Semih Keskil to investigate whether selected muscular structures could represent a meaningful point of clinical intervention. PAMO was developed within this clinical framework, focusing on restoring functional balance within selected paraspinal muscle groups rather than addressing spinal curvature alone.
Two simple questions.
Is your child between 10 and 20 years of age?
PAMO was developed for selected adolescents during the years when growth is still ongoing and spinal flexibility may allow for greater procedural benefit.
Is the Cobb angle between 20° and 50°?
If your child's scoliosis falls within this range, it may be worth learning more about PAMO before deciding to rely solely on observation or considering major corrective surgery.
Who is generally not a candidate for PAMO?
Appropriate patient selection is fundamental to the PAMO protocol. For this reason, PAMO is generally not considered for adult scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, or neuromuscular scoliosis associated with underlying neurological or muscular disorders.
Families come to us looking for hope — not fear.
Scoliosis affects more than the spine; it shapes how families feel about the years ahead. Our goal is to give parents a clear, honest path forward — one built on evaluation, evidence, and the everyday hope of watching their child grow up active, confident, and free to be a kid.
Three simple steps.
1. Prepare Assessment Images
Standing images allowing assessment of posture, shoulder symmetry, and pelvic alignment.
2. Prepare Medical Records
Full-spine standing radiographs, CT/MRI reports, EOS studies if available — from the last six months.
3. Submit Your Case
Contact the PAMO Med International Patient Unit to receive your personal case reference and securely upload your files for review.
Preliminary assessment results are typically provided within three business days.
Common Questions About PAMO
No. PAMO is a non-surgical, hospital-based procedure performed under image guidance, without incisions, stitches, or general anesthesia.
The procedure typically takes approximately one hour, and patients return to their hotel the same day.
In most cases, two procedural courses are sufficient, while a third course is required only occasionally, depending on individual clinical findings.
PAMO is performed exclusively by Professor Semih Keskil in Ankara, Türkiye, ensuring consistency in patient evaluation, procedural application, and clinical follow-up.
Ready to learn if PAMO is right for your child?
Begin with a free remote preliminary assessment — no obligation, reviewed personally by Professor Semih Keskil and his team.