Thomas A. Zdeblick, MD - Professor and Chairman, Orthopaedic Surgery

Thomas A. Zdeblick, MD

Professor and Chairman, Orthopaedic Surgery

University of Wisconsin

Madison, WI

About Thomas A. Zdeblick, MD

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.

Articles Written by Thomas A. Zdeblick, MD

Compression and Wedge Fractures: Treatment and Recovery

Osteoporosis may cause vertebral compression fractures and spinal wedge fractures. Balloon kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are minimally invasive spine surgical procedures that are used to treat vertebral fractures, stabilize the spine and reduce back pain.

Compression and Wedge Fractures

Spinal vertebral compression fractures and wedge fractures are often caused by trauma such as sustaining a fall or motor vehicle accident. These fractures can affect the neck or back, are very painful and require urgent medical attention.

Burst Fractures: Defined and Diagnosed

A burst fracture can result from spinal injury or trauma that causes the affected vertebral body to be crushed or severely compressed, altering the normal shape and height of the spinal bone.

Vertebral Wedge Fracture

A wedge fracture is a vertebral compression fracture occurring anteriorly (front) or laterally (side). Viewed, the affected vertebra resembles a wedge.

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.

Burst Fractures: Treatment and Recovery

A vertebral burst fracture can cause extreme pain and requires immediate professional medical assistance.

Open LT-CAGE

The use of rhBMP-2 in anterior lumbar interbody fusion procedures eliminates the complications of iliac crest bone harvesting.

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.

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.

Case Studies Presented by Thomas A. Zdeblick, MD

Sciatica Sidelines a College Athlete

Presented by: T. Zdeblick MD

The patient is a 21-year-old female college varsity athlete who presents with a 4 month history of sciatica.

Financial Disclosures

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Author's Statement

I, or an immediate family member, have a financial interest(s) or affiliation(s) with the following commercial companies whose products and / or services may be mentioned in the materials I have authored, edited or reviewed for presentation on Remedy Health Media, LLC’s websites.

Disclosed Relationships

Consultant/Independent Contractor

Anulex™ Technologies, Medtronic

Other Relationships/Disclosures

Patent Royalties on product design: Medtronic

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