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Nicholas Spina, M.D.Board Certified Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon

Nicholas Spina, MD, is a member of the University Of Utah Department Of Orthopaedic Surgery. He specializes in degenerative, traumatic, and oncologic conditions of the spine including lumbar stenosis, cervical myelopathy, and scoliosis. He employs a conservative approach in treating the spine. Dr. Spina’s focus is in restoring patients’ function and helping them to regain their optimal lifestyle.

Dr. Spina graduated magna cum laude from Boston College. He attended the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society and the Harold Henderson Sankey MD Award recipient for the outstanding graduating medical student in Orthopaedics. He stayed on to complete his Orthopaedic Surgery residency at the University Of Pittsburgh Medical Center where he held the position of chief resident and was selected by his mentors and peers as the outstanding graduating resident. He followed his residency with an Orhtopaedic spine fellowship here at the University of Utah. He spent one year as faculty in the University Of Washington Department Of Orthopaedics before returning to join the University of Utah department.

Dr. Spina is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He enjoys escaping into the mountains whether it be mountain biking, skiing, or hiking. He is currently seeing patients at the University Orthopaedic and Farmington Health Center.

  • Fellowship
    University of Utah
    Orthopaedic Spine Surgery
    Fellow
  • Chief Resident
    University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
    Orthopaedics
    Administrative Chief Resident
  • Residency
    University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
    Orthopaedics
    Resident
  • Professional Medical
    University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
    Medicine
    M.D.
  • Undergraduate
    Boston College
    Biological Sciences
    B.S.

Academic Departments
Orthopaedics - Assistant Professor

  • Adult Spinal Deformity
  • Health Outcomes

Journal Article

  1. Chavez JL, Porucznik CA, Gren LH, Guan J, Joyce E, Brodke DS, Dailey AT, Mahan MA, Hood RS, Lawrence BD, Spiker WR, Spina NT, Bisson EF (2020). The impact of preoperative mindfulness-based stress reduction on postoperative outcomes in lumbar spine degenerative disease: 3- and 12-month results of a pilot study. (Epub ahead of print) World Neurosurg.
  2. Tobert DG, Davis BJ, Annis P, Spiker WR, Lawrence BD, Brodke DS, Spina N (2020). The Impact of the Lordosis Distribution Index on Failure after Surgical Treatment of Adult Spinal Deformity. (Epub ahead of print) Spine J.
  3. Goz V, Martin BI, Donnally CJ 3rd, Brodke D, Spina N, Lawrence B, Spiker WR (2020). Potential Selection Bias in Observational Studies Comparing Cervical Disc Arthroplasty to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. (Epub ahead of print) Spine.
  4. Spina N, Schoutens C, Martin BI, Brodke DS, Lawrence B, Spiker WR (2020). Defining Instability in Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: Surgeon Views. Clin Spine Surg, 32(10), E434-E439.
  5. Goz V, Spiker WR, Lawrence B, Brodke D, Spina N (2019). Odontoid Fractures: A Critical Analysis Review. JBJS Rev, 7(8), e1.
  6. Rogers J, Spina N, Neese A, Hess R, Brodke D, Lex A (2019). Composer-Visual Cohort Analysis of Patient Outcomes. Appl Clin Inform, 10(2), 278-285.
  7. Goz V, Anthony C, Pugely A, Lawrence B, Spina N, Brodke D, Spiker WR (2018). Software-Based Postoperative Communication With Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery. Global Spine Journal, 9(1), 14-17.
  8. Blumberg TJ, Woelber E, Bellabarba C, Bransford R, Spina N (2018). Predictors of increased cost and length of stay in the treatment of postoperative spine surgical site infection. Spine J, 18(2), 300-306.
  9. van Eck CF, Spina Iii NT, Lee JY (2017). A novel MRI classification system for congenital functional lumbar spinal stenosis predicts the risk for tandem cervical spinal stenosis. Eur Spine J, 26(2), 368-373.
  10. Spina NT, Annis P, Lawrence B, Spiker WR, Belding J, Brodke D (In Preparation). Acute Proximal Junctional Failure. A T10 UIV is not as safe as thought. Spine.
  11. Lee JL, Boakye L, Spina NT, Laudermilch D (Accepted). Post Decompressive Neuritis: Characterization of Images, Symptoms, and Treatment. Asian Spine J.
  • Orthopaedic Spine Surgery
  • Spine Surgery
  • Orthopaedic Surgery