Dr. Arun Hariharan, a board-certified and double fellowship-trained pediatric orthopedic surgeon, joined the Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute in October 2022. He is dedicated to providing comprehensive care for children with spine-related conditions, hip dysplasia, and pediatric fractures. His extensive experience spans the full spectrum of pediatric orthopedics, with a specialized focus on complex spinal deformities, early detection and treatment of hip dysplasia, and advanced techniques in managing childhood fractures. Dr. Hariharans’ passion for improving outcomes through personalized care makes him a trusted expert for families seeking exceptional orthopedic care for their children.

Dr. Hariharan attended medical school at the University of Michigan and completed his orthopedic residency at the University of Maryland. He further pursued his passion for pediatric orthopedics through a fellowship at the Nemours/A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, specializing in pediatric orthopedic surgery. To refine his expertise in advanced spine surgery techniques, he trained at Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, completing a dedicated pediatric spine fellowship.

He is an accomplished researcher, having authored numerous peer-reviewed articles and book chapters and presented at national conferences. He is a member of the Harms Study Group (HSG)/Setting Scoliosis Straight, a prestigious collaborative focused on advancing spinal deformity care. Notably, he received the prestigious Russel A. Hibbs Best Clinical Research Paper Award and the Louis A. Goldstein Best Clinical Research Poster Paper Award at the Spine Research Society Meeting in 2020.

Dr. Hariharan treats the full spectrum of pediatric orthopedic conditions, including fractures, with a particular focus on complex spinal conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and spondylolisthesis. He also specializes in managing hip dysplasia, spina bifida, and skeletal dysplasias, as well as offering tailored care for children with Prader-Willi Syndrome. His surgical expertise extends to advanced procedures like Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT), halo traction, and growth-friendly techniques, including MAGEC rods.

A firm advocate of evidence-based medicine and cutting-edge technology, Dr. Hariharan is committed to providing the most up-to-date and effective care for his patients. He takes pride in tailoring treatments to each child’s unique needs, ensuring optimal outcomes.

Outside of work, he cherishes time with his wife, their two sons, and their dogs. He is an avid fan of Michigan Football and Basketball.

Dr. Hariharan consults with patients at two places: the Paley Institute in West Palm Beach and in Fort Lauderdale at the Cantor Spine Center at the Paley Orthopedic & Spine Institute clinic. For appointments, call (561) 602-9155.

Board Certification

American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

Dr. Arun Hariharan’s Areas of Interest

• Growth plate injuries and disorders
• Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH)
• Leg length discrepancy
• Osteochondritis dissecans
• Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE)
• Perthes disease
• Pediatric flatfoot
• Tarsal coalition
• Pediatric sports injuries, including overuse injuries
• Patellar dislocation and instability
• Pediatric trigger finger and trigger thumb
• Kyphosis, including Scheuermann’s disease
• Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis
• Spina bifida
• Tethered spinal cord syndrome
• Congenital spine anomalies
• Early onset scoliosis
• Juvenile scoliosis
• Adolescent scoliosis
• Young adult scoliosis
• Cervical spine disorders, including atlantoaxial instability
• Vertebral body tethering
• Prader Willi Syndrome
• Down Syndrome
• Cri-du-Chat Syndrome
• MAGEC rods
• Cerebral palsy: spasticity management, orthopedic interventions
• Skeletal Dysplasia
• Spinal Deformity in patients with Spasticity
• Muscular dystrophies
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Charcot Marie Tooth
• Arthrogryposis
• Myelomeningocele (a form of spina bifida)
• Hereditary sensory and motor neuropathies
• Upper and lower extremity fractures, including complex periarticular injuries
• Growth plate fractures and their complications
• Polytrauma management
• Non-accidental trauma (child abuse)
• Compartment syndrome in children
• Sports-related injuries and concussions
• Achondroplasia and other forms of dwarfism
• Osteogenesis imperfecta Marfan syndrome
• Fibrous dysplasia
• Metabolic bone diseases affecting children (e.g., rickets, osteopetrosis)
• Mucopolysaccharidoses (e.g., Hurler syndrome)
• Diastrophic dysplasia
• Spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita
• Pediatric bone and joint infections (osteomyelitis, septic arthritis)
• Benign bone tumors and cysts (e.g., unicameral bone cyst, osteochondroma)

Education & Training

Undergraduate
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Medical School
University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI

Residency
University of Maryland/R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, Baltimore, MD
Orthopedic Surgery

Fellowship
Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Nemours/A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE
Pediatric Spine Surgery Starship Children’s Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand

Assistant Professor
FAU School of Medicine

Hospital Affiliations

St. Mary’s Medical Center

Professional Affiliations

• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
• Scoliosis Research Society
• Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America
• Florida Orthopedic Society

Publications

• Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology: Mortality after spinal fusion in children with cerebral palsy and cerebral-palsy-like conditions: A 30-year follow-up study
• Spine Deformity: Definitive fusions are better than growing rod procedures for juvenile patients with cerebral palsy and scoliosis: a prospective comparative cohort study
• Spine Deformity: Complications following surgical treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a 10-year prospective follow-up study
• Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics: Orthopaedic Manifestations of Transverse Myelitis in Children
• JBJS Case Connector: A Metaphyseal Corner Fracture that Wasn’t: A Case Report of Osteitis from Congenital Syphilis
• The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Cost Analysis of Treating Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures in Community Hospitals Compared With a Tertiary Care Hospital
• American Journal of Surgery: Motivations and impact of international rotations in low- and middle-income countries for orthopaedic surgery residents: Are we on the same page?
• Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics: Transphyseal humeral separations: What can we learn? a retrospective, multicenter review of surgically treated patients over a 25-year period
• Surgical Technology International: Outcomes of Revision Joint Arthroplasty Due to Metal Allergy and Hypersensitivity: A Systematic Review
• Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics: Utility of Postoperative Antibiotics after Percutaneous Pinning of Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures
• Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy: Branching patterns and localization of the common fibular (peroneal) nerve: an anatomical basis for planning safe surgical approaches
• Prostate: The role of Pax2 in mouse prostate development

Media

• SMA News Today | Expert shares knowledge of surgery for SMA-related scoliosis
• Business Insider | I Tried Upright Go Posture-Correcting Device, Helped Me With Slouching
• WebMD | What Is a Salter-Harris Fracture?
• Becker’s Spine | Setting the Tone: The Music Spine Surgeons Listen to in the OR
• Becker’s Spine | 10 Spine Surgeons to Know
• Becker’s Spine | How spine surgeons overcome steep learning curves
• Becker’s Spine | 4 Orthopedic Surgeon Share Biggest Career Surprises
• The Ortho Show Podcast | Guest on Dr. Sigman’s Podcast
• AMCSI: Moving the Curve – Modern Approaches to Spinal Care in Arthrogryposis
• ESPN Radio: Dr. Arun Hariharan joins ESPN WestPalm 106.3 FM Radio to talk scoliosis, and an ailment Usain Bolt had
• The Schroth Boss Podcast – Treating the Child not the Diagnosis
• Posture Correction Dojo – Advances in Scoliosis Recovery and Postural Transformation

Blog Posts

• SMA, Muscular Dystrophy, and Osteogenesis Imperfecta – Spine Care, Orthopedic Interventions, and Long-Term Support
• Skeletal Dysplasia – Specialized Orthopedic Management of Rare Bone Growth Disorders
• Vertebral Body Tethering (VBT) for Scoliosis: A Motion-Preserving Alternative to Fusion
• Prader-Willi Syndrome and Associated Spine Issues
• Arthrogryposis: Treatment Options and Goals for Improving Mobility
• General Pediatric Orthopedic Conditions: Fractures, Injuries, and Growth-Related Issues – A Comprehensive Guide for Parents