Eeric Truumees, MD - Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon

Eeric Truumees, MD

Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon

Seton Brain and Spine Institute

Austin, TX

Dr. Truumees is a member of the SpineUniverse Editorial Board.

About Eeric Truumees, MD

Dr. Eeric Truumees is a board certified and fellowship trained orthopaedic spine surgeon and Chief Executive Officer of the Seton Brain and Spine Institute in Austin, TX. In addition, Dr. Truumees is Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Texas at Austin, Dell Medical School.

Dr. Truumees received his medical degree graduating with honors from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville. He then completed a general surgical internship followed by a residency in orthopaedic surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in OH. Next, he completed a fellowship program in spinal surgery under Harry Herkowitz, MD at the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI.

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Publications

1. Truumees E, Demetropoulos C, Yang K, Herkowitz H. Effects of Disc Height and Distractive Forces on Graft Compression in an Anterior Cervical Corpectomy Model. In press.

2. Truumees E, Hilibrand AS, Vaccaro AR. Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation. The Spine Journal, 4(2): 218-229, 2004.

3. Truumees E, Demetropoulos CK, Yang KH, Herkowitz HN. Effects of Disc Height and Distractive Forces on Graft Compression in an Anterior Cervical Discectomy Model. Spine, 2002: 27(22): 2441-2445.

4. Truumees E, Demetropoulos C, Yang K, Herkowitz H. Compression Load of Human Cervical Vertebral Endplates: A Cadaveric Experimental Model. Spine, 28(19): 2204-8, 2003.

5. Truumees E, Demetropoulos C, Yang K, Herkowitz H. Effects of a Cervical Compression Plate on Graft Forces in an Anterior Cervical Discectomy Model. Spine, 28: 2003.

6. Vaccaro AR, Patel T, Fischgrund J, Anderson DG, Truumees E, Herkowitz HN, et al. A pilot safety and efficacy study of OP-1 putty (rhBMP-7) as an adjunct to iliac crest autograft in posterolateral lumbar fusions. Eur Spine J, 2003.

7. Nieves-Rivera F, Kerrigan JR, Krieg RJ, Egan J, Hwang LJ, Truumees E, Veldhuis JD, Evans WS, Rogol, AD, Altered growth Hormone secretion in vivo and in vitro in the diabetes prone BB/Worchester rat. Growth Regul 1993 Dec; 3(4): 235-44.

8. Patel, CK, Truumees E, Herkowitz HN. Radicular Symptoms in a Patient with Previous Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. NASS Case Study of the Month, March 2003.

9. Coric, D, Fischgrund JS, Patel T, Vaccaro AR, Truumees E, Herkowitz HN, et al. Two-year Follow-up on Patients in a Pilot Safety and Efficacy Study of OP-1 (rhBMP-7) in Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion as a Replacement for Iliac Crest Autograft. Neurosurgery, 55(2):477, August 2004.

Chapters

1. Truumees E. Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Orthopaedic Knowledge Update, 8th Edition, Vaccaro AR, ed. AAOS, Rosemont, IL 2003.

2. Truumees E. Xia Anterior Spinal System, in Surgical Techniques in Spinal Instrumentation. Kim DH, Vaccaro AR, Fessler RG, eds. Thieme, New York, 2003.

3. Truumees E, Brebach G. Interbody Fusion. Frymoyer's The Adult Spine: Principles and Practice, 3rd Edition, Lippincott, Philadelphia 2003.

4. Truumees E, Brebach G, McLain RF, Lieberman I. Exposures to the Thoracolumbar Spine. Frymoyer's The Adult Spine: Principles and Practice, 3rd Edition, Lippincott, Philadelphia 2003.

5. Truumees E. Cervical Instrumentation. Rothman and Simeone's The Spine, 5th Edition, WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 2004.

6. Truumees E. Traction, Bracing, and Positioning. Cervical Spine Research Society Atlas of Cervical Spine Surgery, 2nd Edition, Lippincott, Philadelphia, 2002.

7. Truumees E. Epidemiology and Overview of Cervical Degenerative Disease. Cervical Spine Research Society Textbook 4th Edition, Chapter 69, Lippincott, Philadelphia, 2002.

8. Truumees E. Pathophysiology Pain and Neural Dysfunction in Cervical Degenerative Disease: Basic Science, Pathophysiology, and Pathoanatomy. Cervical Spine Research Society Textbook 4th Edition, Chapter 70, Lippincott, Philadelphia, 2002.

9. Patel CK, Truumees E, Herkowitz HN. Cervical Corpectomy. Cervical Spine Research Society Textbook 4th Edition, Chapter 70, Lippincott, Philadelphia, 2002.

10. Truumees E. Physical Examination: Signs of Pathology and the Physical Examination, in McLain RF ed, Cancer of the Spine. Handbook of Comprehensive Care, Humana Press, Totowa, New Jersey, 2002.

11. Truumees E, Garfin SR. Patient Selection for Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty, in Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty. Resnick DK, Barr JD, and Garfin SR, eds. AANS Publications, Rolling Meadows, IL, 2002.

12. Truumees E. Os Odontoideum, in Emedicine On-line Spine Textbook.

13. Truumees E. Lumbar Pedicle Screw Placement, in Albert TJ, Vaccaro AR eds., Tricks of the Trade of Spine Surgery, Thieme, 2001.

14. Truumees E. Facet Screw Placement, in Albert TJ, Vaccaro AR eds., Tricks of the Trade of Spine Surgery, Thieme, 2001.

15. Truumees E. Sacral Pedicle Screw Placement, in Albert TJ, Vaccaro AR eds., Tricks of the Trade of Spine Surgery, Thieme, 2001.

16. Truumees E, Herkowitz HN. Cervical Laminectomy, in Albert TJ, Vaccaro AR eds., Tricks of The Trade of Spine Surgery, Thieme, 2001.

17. Truumees E, McLain RF, Revision Cervical Spine Surgery, in Chapman M ed., Chapman's Orthopaedic Surgery, Third edition, Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 2001.

18. Truumees E, Herkowitz HN, Degenerative Disc Disease, in Chapman M ed, Chapman's Orthopaedic Surgery, Third edition. Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 2001.

19. Truumees E, Herkowitz HN, Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis with Spinal Stenosis, in Albert T, Vaccaro A, eds. Spine Surgery: MasterCases, Thieme Publishers, New York, 2001.

20. Truumees E, Herkowitz HN, Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis, in Albert T, Vaccaro A, eds. Spine Surgery: MasterCases, Thieme Publishers, New York, 2001.

21. Truumees E, Herkowitz HN, Cervical Spondylotic Radiculopathy and Myelopathy, Instructional Course Lectures, vol 49, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Rosemont, IL, 2000.

22. Truumees E, Herkowitz HN, et al. Treatment Options for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis, Instructional Course Lectures, vol 50, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Rosemont, IL, 2001.

23. Truumees E. Medical Consequences of Vertebral Compression Fractures. Instructional Course Lectures, vol 51, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Rosemont, IL, 2002.

24. Truumees E. Soft Tissue Injuries of the Cervical Spine, Vaccaro AR, Betz R, Zeidman S eds. Principles and Practice of Spine Surgery, Saunders, Philadelphia, 2002.

25. Truumees E. Spine Fractures and Dislocations: Patterns, Classifications, Management. Placzek J, Boyce DA eds, Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Secrets. Hanley and Belfus, Philadelphia, 2001.

26. Truumees E, Herkowitz HN. Anterior Cervical Corpectomy. Haher, Merola, eds. Atlas of Spine Surgery. Thieme Publishers, New York, 2000.

Other Publications

1. Truumees E. Point of View. Spine. 28(22):3, November 15, 2003.

2. Knapke DM, Truumees E. Posterior Arm and Deltoid Compartment Syndrome after Vitamin B12 Injection. Orthopaedics, Vol 27, Number 5, pp 1-2, 2004.

3. Bedi A, Truumees E. Tarlov Cysts and Related Meningeal Lesions. Contemporary Spine Surgery, Vol 4, Issue 9, Lippincott, 2003.

4. Truumees E. Stabilization of the Occipitocervical Junction, part I: Anatomy, Indications, and Outcomes, Contemporary Spine Surgery, Vol 4, Issue 3, Lippincott, 2003.

5. Truumees E. Stabilization of the Occipitocervical Junction, part II: Surgical Technique, Contemporary Spine Surgery, Vol 4, Issue 4, Lippincott, 2003.

6. Truumees E. Cervical Corpectomy. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Orthopaedic Knowledge Online, 2002.

7. Truumees E. The Role of Vertebroplasty and Kyphoplasty as parts of a Treatment Strategy for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures. Current Opinion in Orthopaedics, Vol 13, Issue 3, Lippincott, 2002.

Articles Written by Eeric Truumees, MD

Ankylosing Spondylitis: A Type of Spinal Inflammatory Arthritis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory spinal disease characterized by spinal joint pain and progressive stiffness in the neck and low back.

Chronic Low Back Vertebrogenic Pain Involves the Spinal Vertebral Endplates

Chronic low back pain research shows the lumbar vertebral endplates can cause vertebrogenic pain and involve the basivertebral nerve (BVN). How BVN pain is diagnosed and treated using BVN nerve ablation.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: A Type of Spinal Inflammatory Arthritis

The type of juvenile idiopathic arthritis that affects the spine is ankylosing spondylitis. JIA is uncommon and may affect children ages 16 years and younger.

How Do Topical Drugs Reduce Back and Neck Pain?

Topical drugs seek to reduce inflammation below the skin surface and soothe nerve pain. Topical pain relieving drugs include preparations applied to the skin as a cream, ointment, gel, spray, or patch (eg, Lidoderm patch).

Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Type of Spinal Inflammatory Arthritis

Information about spinal rheumatoid arthritis and treatment is featured.

Cauda Equina Syndrome

Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a rare but serious low back disorder that causes bladder and/or bowel dysfunction requiring immediate medical attention.

Spinal Inflammatory Arthritis Glossary

Spinal arthritis glossary of medical terms defines words doctors may use when discussing inflammatory spinal arthritis and related tests and treatment options.

Spinal Inflammatory Arthritis

This article provides information about two types of spinal inflammatory arthritis.

Spinal Inflammatory Arthritis: Early Diagnosis Important

Early detection of spinal inflammatory arthritis is important to the overall success of the patient's treatment plan.

5 Harmful Habits for Your Spine

5 harmful habits that can lead to back pain: learn what they are in this article so that you can prevent back pain.

Spinal Inflammatory Arthritis and Osteoporosis

Sometimes treatment for rheumatoid arthritis or other spinal inflammatory disorders increases the risk for osteoporosis.

Spine Surgery and Spinal Inflammatory Arthritis

Uncontrollable pain and spinal deformity are two complications of spinal inflammatory arthritis that may require surgical treatment.

Case Studies Presented by Eeric Truumees, MD

PMMA Extravasation Following Kyphoplasty

Presented by: E. Truumees MD

The patient is a 72-year-old female who underwent kyphoplasty to treat a T12 burst fracture two weeks ago at a different hospital. After the kyphoplasty procedure, her back pain increased and a new symptom of lower extremity weakness, right greater than left developed.

Articles Reviewed by Eeric Truumees, MD

NASS: Updates, Pivots, Lessons Learned

2021 North American Spine Society president Eeric Truumees on advocacy, diversity, and navigating one challenging year

How to Recognize Cauda Equina Syndrome

It’s nerve compression, but not just run-of-the-mill nerve compression. Cauda equina syndrome is an emergency that needs to be treated quickly.

Beware These Lumbar Stenosis Surgery Pitfalls

Lumbar stenosis surgery isn’t always 100 percent successful. That’s why it’s important to carefully assess your personal risk factors before going under the knife.

Recombinant Bone Morphogenetic Protein Linked to Reduce Risk of Reoperation Following Spine Fusion for Adult Scoliosis

It is incumbent upon surgeons and researchers to provide clinical data for use of BMP in fusion surgery not only from large administrative databases, but also from single center studies.

Radiofrequency Ablation of the Basivertebral Nerve Shows Efficacy in Case Series

Results of prospective open-label case series are in keeping with earlier studies of basivertebral nerve ablation in the treatment of chronic low back pain.

Optimal End Level for Long-Segment Cervical Fusion to the Thoracic Spine?

Extending posterior cervical fusions for degenerative spine conditions into the thoracic spine is associated with less risk for pseudarthrosis but significantly greater blood loss, tendency toward greater operating room time and length of hospital stay.

Review Examines the Role and Disparities of Rehabilitation After Lumbar Fusion

Starting physical therapy later and incorporating psychosocial elements have support according to a literature review published in the JNS: Spine.

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Author's Statement

I, the undersigned, declare that neither I nor members of my immediate family have a financial interests or affiliation with 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.

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