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University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Anschutz
Department of Orthopedics
School of Medicine
Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Comprehensive spine care
The Adult Spine Division of CU Orthopedics is a part of the Spine Center at the University of Colorado Hospital, which provides comprehensive spine care to the citizens of the Rocky Mountain Region including neurosurgery and orthopedic spine surgery, physical and rehabilitation medicine, and alternative medicine therapies.
The CU Orthopedic Spine Division provides state-of-the-art surgical intervention from fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeons. Our surgeons are thoroughly trained and experienced in treatment of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine.
Treatment of spine-related pain typically involves conservative measures such as rest, physical therapy, medications, therapeutic injections, and alternative therapies; however, when these fail, surgery may be indicated.
The University of Colorado is a tertiary care center that specializes in spine from the basic disc herniation to disc replacement, and motion preservation to complex spine care, including treatment of patients who have had unsuccessful treatment elsewhere.
We also see patients who have been told that their condition is too complex for surgical treatment or who have had previous failed surgery, and will provide surgical opinions. We see patients from across the nation, with easy access to our facility from Denver International Airport, as well as direct regional access from Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Kansas.
Spine Faculty | |||||
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| Evalina Burger-Van der Walt, MD Chair & Professor Orthopedics | Vikas Patel, MD Professor & Executive Vice Chair Orthopedics | Christopher Cain, MD Associate Professor | Christopher Gallus, MD Assistant Professor | Christina Goldstein, MD Associate Professor | |
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| Emily Lindley, PhD Assistant Professor | David Ou-Yang, MD Assistant Professor | Samuel Smith, MD Assistant Professor | Sumeet Garg, MD Associate Professor | Nolan Wessell, MD Assistant Professor | Philip York, MD Assistant Professor |
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| Emily Broeseker, FNP Instructor | Amy Bond, NP, RN Instructor | Jordan Bull, PA-C Instructor | Minnie Chau Instructor | Susan Estes, NP Instructor | Jill Fattor, PA Instructor |
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| Amanda Ramirez, ANPC Instructor | Chad Schantz, ANPC Instructor | ||||
| Research | Clinical Trials |
Our surgeons are the forefront of Orthopedic research. We continue to advance the field of orthopedics in our discoveries of the newest treatment options and technological advances in orthopedic care. Here at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical campus, our surgeons have access to the most extensive research resources and world-class surgical facilities available in Colorado and the nation. Here at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus we share our discoveries and teach our peers in the field as well as the next generation of orthopedic surgeons. | A Clinical Study to Assess the Safety and Effectiveness of the Premia Spine TOPS TM System This study is intended to demonstrate that TOPS, when used to treat patients as described below who are unresponsive to conservative therapy, is safe and effective for the proposed indication.” Sponsor – Premia Spine Ltd. Involved surgeons – Dr. Patel, Dr. Burger Currently enrolling, study duration 3-5 years Study Purpose: “The TOPS™ System (“TOPS or “TOPS System” or “Total Posterior Spine System”) is indicated for stabilization, but not fusion, of one affected vertebral level between L2 and L5, following decompression surgery to alleviate leg pain with or without back pain stemming from all three of the following (1) degenerative spondylolisthesis or retrolisthesis up to Grade I and (2) moderate to severe lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and (3) thickening of the ligamentum flavum or scaring facet joint capsule. |
University of Colorado Hospital - Aurora
Phone:
720-848-1980
Fax:
720-848-2019
Hours:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Address:
The University of Colorado Hospital
Spine Center
Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion - 1st Floor
12605 E. 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
Broomfield Orthopedic Clinic
Phone:
303-544-3820
Hours:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Address:
875 W. 136th Avenue
Broomfield, CO 80023
Lone Tree Health Center
Phone:
720-848-2200
Fax:
720-553-0901
Hours:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Address:
9548 Park Meadows Drive
Lone Tree, Colorado 80124
UCHealth Spine Center
Phone:
719-364-0160
Fax:
719-364-0161
Hours:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Address:
4110 Briargate Pkwy #100b
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Christopher Kleck, MD
Chief, Spine Surgery
Assistant Professor
CJ Kleck, MD
My greatest area of interest is the treatment of adult spine deformity. This includes many problems that cause issues with posture, including scoliosis and kyphosis. I am also interested in treating patients who have had previous surgery and continue
to have issues.
I treat patients as I would like to be treated myself, or as I would want my family members treated. It is important that patients are informed and active
in the decision making process, and I feel this is a critical part of my job. While I am a surgeon, I am interested in pursuing all non-surgical means to the treatment of various spine conditions before considering surgical options. When surgery
is decided upon, I apply the fundamentals of my training and evolving technology to maximize benefit to patients.
I enjoy spending my spare time with my wife and two children.
Telehealth - Virtual Visits
From 3/16/2020 – 4/10/2020, The Spine Division and its 19 providers (10 Orthopedic Spine Surgeons and 9 PA/NPs) have completed 222 telehealth visits at UCH Anschutz alone. We are working alongside other disciplines, including Physical Medicine and Rehab, Anesthesia Pain, MSK radiology, and Neurosurgery, with a combined 750+ patient visits in that same time frame. We currently provide Telehealth care at Longspeak, Broomfield, UCH Anschutz, Lone Tree, and Memorial North. We have worked to develop a virtual physical exam, which allows us to provide even greater care. In case of urgent or emergent issues, providers staff the clinic for in-person visits every day of the week. While we look forward to seeing our patients in-person, we are leading Colorado in telehealth care.
Dr. Patel is one of the top surgeons in the country, I highly recommend Dr. Patel to anyone that has back problems.
Danny Casey
Thank you, Dr. Patel, Suzie, and to you're fine team of surgeons!
Larry Salmen
Recent News
Orthopedic Telemedicine and The Virtual Physical Exam
Presented by:
Nolan M Wessell, MD
Assistant Professor
Department of Orthopedic Surgery
Division of Spine Surgery
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Imputation methods successfully evaluate long-term outcomes after total disc replacement
At the North American Spine Society Annual Meeting, Vikas V. Patel, MD , discussed a study that compared imputation methods for the evaluation of long-term outcomes after lumbar total disc replacement.