University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Anschutz

Spine

Denver's Top Spine Doctors

The Adult Spine Division of CU Orthopedics is a part of the Spine Center at the University of Colorado Hospital, with some of the top spine doctors in Denver and the surrounding areas. We provide 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 the 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 the 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.

Learn more.

Read the most recent Spine Surgery news.

Spine Faculty

Christopher Kleck, MD Chief of Orthopedic Surgery Assistant Professor	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


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


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


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.

Learn more about our recent research in Spine Surgery.

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.

For more information, please contact:

Claire L. Cofer
Claire.Cofer@cuanschutz.edu
720-848-1941

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

Kleck.Christopher.12.06.17 5x3

CJ Kleck, MD

Chief, Spine Surgery
Associate Professor

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.

Our Providers

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.

Patient Testimonials

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

Featured News

Dr. Patel - Melissa Gilbert Spine Surgery GMA 2020

Melissa Gilbert reveals details of 'successful' spinal surgery

The "Little House on the Prairie" star shared on Instagram that she underwent spinal surgery after years of injuries.

Dr. Evalina Burger “Medical Help Available" Covid-19

In war, hurricane or pandemic, Dr. Evalina Burger performs medically necessary surgeries

University of Colorado implements virtual spine physical exam during COVID-19 pandemic

As a way to limit patient risk of exposure during the COVID-19 pandemic, CMS expanded Medicare telehealth coverage, enabling beneficiaries to receive a wider range of health care services from their doctors without having to travel to a health care facility.

Orthopedics (SOM)

CU Anschutz

Academic Office One

12631 East 17th Avenue

4602

Aurora, CO 80045

303-724-2955

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