A. Noelle Larson

Dr. A. Noelle Larson is a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where she serves as Chair of the Division of Pediatric Orthopedics in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. She also holds joint appointments in the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine and Division of Community Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Larson is a nationally recognized pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in scoliosis and complex spinal deformities in children.

Her research focuses on the function and molecular mechanisms of the pediatric spine and growth plate. Key areas include long-term outcomes for pediatric orthopedic conditions, early-onset scoliosis, nonfusion and guided growth techniques for scoliosis treatment, molecular biology and epigenetics of growth plate disorders, and low-dose radiation techniques for scoliosis imaging. She leads the Minimize Implants Maximize Outcomes (MIMO) Clinical Trial, a multicenter study evaluating spinal implant effects, and contributes to multicenter registries for young patients with spinal deformities.

Dr. Larson has authored over 240 peer-reviewed articles and received numerous awards including multiple Minnesota Monthly Top Doctors Awards, National Health Information Awards for patient education materials, and research recognition from the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America and Scoliosis Research Society. Her work on vertebral body tethering has positioned her as a national leader in motion-preserving scoliosis surgery.

As Research Council Chair for the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America, she leads the POSNA/Scoliosis Research Society Pediatric Device Task Force and holds leadership positions in the Pediatric Spine Study Group and Setting Scoliosis Straight Foundation. She has developed tools to help families understand risks and benefits of new surgical techniques, emphasizing shared decision-making and patient-centered care.

Dr. Larson maintains active clinical practices in Rochester, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, and is available for virtual visits. Her philosophy centers on preserving function and quality of life for children with spinal conditions, believing that 'if it was my back and my life, maybe I don't care so much what my X-ray looks like. Maybe I care more about how I feel, whether my back moves, and if I can return to the activities I enjoy.'