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Nicholas Spina
( out of 387 reviews )

Nicholas Spina, MD

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Farmington Health Center

Farmington
801-213-3200

University Orthopaedic Center

Salt Lake City
801-587-7109

  • 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.

    Specialties

    Patient Rating

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 387 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    May 22, 2025
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    extremely knowledgeable -caring and always willing to explain everything

    May 21, 2025
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    Dr. Spina was the Ortho. Surgeon on call when I went to the Emergency Room. He was an excellent surgeon, and he team was well informed and helpful.

    May 16, 2025
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    Dr spina was good, rest of staff, not so.

    May 15, 2025
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    Dr. Spina has provided me with excellent care. He treats me professionally while explaining my condition and discussing options. He is very candid when setting expectations. IÕve had a life changing outcome due to his care and expertise. I highly recommend Dr. Spina.

    May 12, 2025
    FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

    Doc did my surgery (6) years ago. Great job then means he is my Ògo toÓ doctor as my back continues to deteriorateÉ

    May 09, 2025
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    I was referred from out of state. The decision as to what surgery was best was difficult. I consulted several doctors before Dr. Spina. I had positive input from a patient , physical therapist, Dr Doina former colleague and my local orthopedic team. My spouse and I were very impressed about the way I was treated, included in the decision, respected as an active person who wants to maintain that level. He spent a lot of time listening and assess my physical and emotional needs. I checked his credentials carefully and felt he was the right doctor for my surgery. I was even more impressed after meeting him in person

    May 08, 2025
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    I thought Dr. Spina was very knowledgeable and communicated well. He was patient and answered all of my questions.

    May 07, 2025
    ORTHOPAEDICS CENTER

    One of the better surgeons I've had in my whole life.

    May 06, 2025
    FARMINGTON HEALTH CENTER

    He explained everything so I could easily understand what my problems were and he layed out a plan that made sense to me to help correct my situation

    See More Patient Comments

  • 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.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Orthopaedics -Assistant Professor

    Education history

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

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Mizels J, Connelly J, Martin B, Karamian B, Spiker WR, Lawrence BD, Brodke DS, Spina NT (2024). How Do Functional Comorbidities Affect PROMIS-PF Scores Following Lumbar Fusion Surgery? Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 50(6), 383-388. ()
    2. Levy HA, Boere P, Randell Z, Bodnar J, Paulik J, Spina NT, Spiker WR, Lawrence BD, Brodke DS, Kurd MF, Rihn JA, Canseco JA, Schroeder GD, Kepler CK, Vaccaro AR, Currier B, Huddleston PM, Nassr AN, Freedman BA, Sebastian AS, Hilibrand AS, Karamian BA (2024). Factors Related to Clinical Performance in Spine Surgery Fellowship: Can We Predict Success. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 32(18), e940-e950. ()
    3. Owen RJ, Quinlan N, Poduska A, Spiker WR, Spina NT, Brodke DS, Lawrence BD (2023). Preoperative Fluoroscopically Guided Regional Erector Spinae Plane Blocks Reduce Opioid Use, Increase Mobilization, and Reduce Length of Stay Following Lumbar Spine Fusion. Global Spine J, 13(4), 954-960.
    4. Turtle J, Randell Z, Karamian B, Spiker R, Lawrence B, Brodke D, Spina N (2023). Response to pre-operative Steroid Injections Predicts Surgical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Fusion for Isthmic Spondylolisthesis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 48(13), 914-919. ()
    5. Randell Z, Martin B, Hendrickson N, Brodke D, Spiker R, Lawrence B, Spina N (2023). Hypoalbuminemia as a Predictor of Mortality, Disability, and Readmission in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 48(18), 1300-1307. ()
    6. Turtle J, Miller S, Yang A, Hurley RW, Spina N, McCormick ZL (2022). Considerations for Lumbar Medial Branch Nerve Radiofrequency at Spinal Motion Segments Adjacent to a Fusion Construct. Pain Med, 24(2), 165-170. ()
    7. Hendrickson NR, Zhang Y, Amoafo L, Randell Z, Rasmussen M, Zeidan M, Shorten P, Brodke DS, Spina N, Lawrence BD, Spiker WR (2022). Risk Factors for Postoperative Ileus in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery. Global Spine J, 13(8), 21925682221075056. ()
    8. Mordhorst TR, Jalali A, Nelson R, Brodke DS, Spina N, Spiker WR (2021). Cost analysis of primary single-level lumbar discectomies using the Value Driven Outcomes database in a large academic center. Spine J, 21(8), 1309-1317. ()
    9. Owen RJ, Quinlan N, Poduska A, Spiker WR, Spina NT, Brodke DS, Lawrence BD (2021). Preoperative Fluoroscopically Guided Regional Erector Spinae Plane Blocks Reduce Opioid Use, Increase Mobilization, and Reduce Length of Stay Following Lumbar Spine Fusion. Global Spine J, 13(4), 21925682211010740. ()
    10. Zeidan M, Goz V, Lakomkin N, Spina N, Brodke DS, Spiker WR (2020). Predictors of Readmission and Prolonged Length of Stay After Cervical Disc Arthroplasty. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 46(8), 487-491. ()
    11. Spina NT, Moreno GS, Brodke DS, Finley SM, Ellis BJ (2020). Biomechanical effects of laminectomies in the human lumbar spine: a finite element study. Spine J, 21(1), 150-159. ()
    12. Turtle J, Kantor A, Spina NT, France JC, Lawrence BD (2020). Hangman's Fracture. Clin Spine Surg, 33(9), 345-354. ()
    13. Shaw JD, McEntarfer R, Ferrel J, Greene N, Presson AP, Zhang C, Lawrence BD, Spiker WR, Spina N, Brodke DS (2020). What Does Your PROMIS Score Mean? Improving the Utility of Patient-Reported Outcomes at the Point of Care. Global Spine J, 12(4), 2192568220958670. ()
    14. 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. Spine J, 20(8), 1261-1266. ()
    15. 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. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 45(14), 960-967. ()
    16. 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-Month and 12-Month Results of a Pilot Study. World Neurosurg, 139, e230-e236. ()
    17. Spina N, Schoutens C, Martin BI, Brodke DS, Lawrence B, Spiker WR (2019). Defining Instability in Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: Surgeon Views. Clin Spine Surg, 32(10), E434-E439. ()
    18. Goz V, Spiker WR, Lawrence B, Brodke D, Spina N (2019). Odontoid Fractures: A Critical Analysis Review. JBJS Rev, 7(8), e1. ()
    19. 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. ()
    20. 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 J, 9(1), 14-17. ()
    21. 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. ()
    22. 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. ()

    Review

    1. Moore ZJ, Rizkalla JM, Weiner J, Lawrence B, Spina N, Spiker R, Brodke D, Karamian B (2024). Transthyretin amyloidosis in spinal canal stenosis: A systematic review. [Review]. J Orthop, 53, 133-139. ()

    Book Chapter

    1. Sreeharsha V Nandyala, MD Nicholas T Spina, MD (2023). Spinal Trauma. In Leesa M Galatz, Frederick M Azar (Eds.), Orthopaedic Knowledge Update: 14 (14th Edition). Wolters Kluwer.
    2. Nathan R Hendrickson, Nicholas T Spina III, and Darrel S Brodke (2023). Cervical Vertebrectomy and Plating . In Drs. Todd J. Albert and Thomas A. Zdeblick (Eds.), Master Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery: The Spine (4th Edition, pp. 49-66). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.

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