Spine Universe Editorial Board

Currently Dr. Thomas Zdeblick is Chairman and Professor at the University of Wisconsin, in the Division of Orthopedic Surgery and the Department of Neurosurgery. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Dr. Zdeblick earned his Medical Degree at Tufts University School of Medicine, in Boston. During his schooling, he received the Myerson Award for "The Art and Skill of the Doctor-Patient Relationship". Dr. Zdeblick did both his internship and his residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. His residency was in the Department of Orthopaedics where he received several awards for academic achievement. Between his internship and residency, Dr. Zdeblick was the Allen Scholar Research Fellow at Microsurgery Research Laboratory. Following his residency, Dr. Zdeblick was a fellow at Johns Hopkins University in the Department of Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery, Division of Spine Reconstructive Surgery. Both his research and teaching skills earned Dr. Zdeblick awards including the American Orthopedic Society North American Traveling Fellowship, the Cervical Spine Research Society Research Award, and the Okagaki Resident Teaching Award.

Dr. Zdeblick's career reflects a consistent dedication to spinal research. He lectures regularly at international meetings, has published over seventy papers in peer reviewed journals, authored three books, and contributed chapters to an additional sixteen books. Additionally, Dr. Zdeblick has been heavily involved with the design and development of several of today's most advanced spinal instrumentation systems.

Dr. Zdeblick's is an active member of many professional organizations including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, American Spinal Injury Association, Cervical Spine Research Society, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, North American Spine Society, and Orthopaedic Research Society.

Financial Disclosures:
Consultant: Anulex™ Technologies, Medtronic

Patent Royalties on product design: Medtronic

SpineUniverse articles from Thomas A. Zdeblick, MD

• Burst Fractures: Defined and Diagnosed
  A burst fracture is a descriptive term for an injury to the spine in which the vertebral body is severely compressed. They typically occur from severe trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident or a fall from a height.
• Burst Fractures: Treatment and Recovery
  A vertebral burst fracture can cause extreme pain and requires immediate professional medical assistance.
• Compression and Wedge Fractures
  Injury or trauma to the spine may cause compression and wedge fractures, which are very painful and require immediate medical attention.
• Compression and Wedge Fractures: Treatment and Recovery
  Osteoporosis may cause vertebral compression and wedge fractures; some of these fractures can now be treated using vertebroplasty.
• Laparoscopic Spinal Fusion
  By using special instrumentation and scopes, laparoscopic spinal fusion requires only a small incision in the back. There are numerous benefits to this approach, the most significant being reduced hospital stay and less recuperation time.
• Lumbar Cage Fusions
  By utilizing metallic or carbon fiber fusion cages, structural support is obtained from the cage while healing goes on both through the cage and around the cage with bone graft or bone substitutes.
• Osteoporosis and Compression Fractures
  Osteoporosis, a bone weakening disease, is a serious risk for compression fractures. In compression fractures, vertebrae crush, burst, or wedge causing compression on the spinal cord or nerve roots, resulting in neurologic deficit and acute pain.
• Spine Cages Help to Restore Correct Spinal Alignment
  Cages are also called 'interbody cages', which refers to where cages are implanted (between two vertebrae). Cages are used to restore lost disc height disc and to relieve pressure on nerve roots.
• Vertebral Wedge Fracture
  A wedge fracture is a vertebral compression fracture occurring anteriorly (front) or laterally (side). Viewed, the affected vertebra resembles a wedge.