Venu Akuthota, MD
Professor, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

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Medical School:
  • MD, Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (1994)
Undergraduate School:
  • BS, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (OH) (1991)
Internship:
  • McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program (1995)
Residency:
  • McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (1998)
Fellowships:
  • McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program, Sports Medicine (1999)
Languages: English
Department: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Professional Titles

  • Chair
  • Professor

Recognition & Awards

  • 5280 Top Doctor, 5280 Magazine (2019)
    Recognized as a Top Doctor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from 2012-present
  • CU Medicine Endowed Chair in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, CU Medicine (2019)
  • PASSOR Legacy Award and Lectureship, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2015)
    Awarded to mid career physician who has excelled in PM&R clinical care, education, and research.
  • Visiting Professor, Harvard University (2012)
    Visiting Professorships at Harvard, Cornell, National University of Korea, Eastern Virginia, Turkish Rheumatologic Congress, Dalhousie University (Halifax, Canada), University of Utah
  • Best Paper, North American Spine Society (2011)
  • Inspired Kindness Award, Grateful Patient & Family Program, University of Colorado Hospital Foundation (2010)
  • Golden Goniometer Academic Teaching Award, Dept of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2007)

Teaching

  • Professor (2002)
    School of Medicine, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
    Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Spine, Running Injuries, Outcomes Research

Publications

  • Lee D, Carrera EJ, Hagens R, Yeung G, Garvan CW, Rothman MS, Akuthota V. Serum Cortisol Level to Screen for Significant Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Suppression in Patients Receiving Multiple Steroid Injections. Pain Med. 2023 Oct 11. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 37819765
  • Meron A, Barber K, Stokes D, Churchill L, LeDoux C, Akuthota V. Feasibility and acceptability of a telemedicine triage model among Medicaid patients with low back pain referred to a spine center. N Am Spine Soc J. 2023 Jun;14:100200. PubMed PMID: 37008515
  • Carollo J, De S, Akuthota V. Evidence-Based Physiatry: Clinical Decision-Making With Instrumented Gait Analysis. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2020 Mar;99(3):265-266. PubMed PMID: 31860588
  • Clements ND, McCormick ZL, Vydra D, Nagpal A, Akuthota V, Kennedy DJ, Cushman DM. Serious Complications Associated with Interventional Spine Procedures-Results of a Spine Intervention Society Survey. Pain Med. 2020 Mar 1;21(3):651-653. PubMed PMID: 31188448
  • Carollo J, De S, Akuthota V. Evidence-Based Physiatry: Clinical Decision Making with Instrumented Gait Analysis. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 Dec 19. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31860588
  • Clements ND, McCormick ZL, Vydra D, Nagpal A, Akuthota V, Kennedy DJ, Cushman DM. Serious Complications Associated with Interventional Spine Procedures-Results of a Spine Intervention Society Survey. Pain Med. 2019 Jun 12. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31188448
  • Akuthota V, Meron AJ, Singh JR, Boimbo S, Laker SR, Brakke Holman R, Sridhar BV, Friedrich J, Sullivan WJ. The utility of magnetic resonance imaging results in physician decision-making before initial lumbar spinal injection. Spine J. 2019 Sep;19(9):1455-1462. PubMed PMID: 31009770
  • Hammerich A, Whitman J, Mintken P, Denninger T, Akuthota V, Sawyer EE, Hofmann M, Childs JD, Cleland J. Effectiveness of Physical Therapy Combined With Epidural Steroid Injection for Individuals With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Randomized Parallel-Group Trial. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2019 May;100(5):797-810. PubMed PMID: 30703349
  • Akuthota V, Marshall B, Boimbo S, Osborne MC, Garvan CS, Garvan GJ, Buzanowska M, Sauerwein K, Sridhar BV, Plastaras CT. Clinical Course of Motor Deficits from Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Due to Disk Herniation. PM R. 2019 Aug;11(8):807-814. PubMed PMID: 30689304
  • Friedly JL, Comstock BA, Heagerty PJ, Bauer Z, Rothman MS, Suri P, Hansen R, Avins AL, Nedeljkovic SS, Nerenz DR, Akuthota V, Jarvik JG. Systemic effects of epidural steroid injections for spinal stenosis. Pain. 2018 May;159(5):876-883. PubMed PMID: 29394207
  • Sclafani JA, Ho PS, Mayfield C, Ukegbu U, Akuthota V, Chan L. Interventional Treatment and Physical Therapy Utilization for Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis Within Medicare Beneficiaries From 2000-2011: Descriptive Analysis and Impacts on Surgery Frequency. PM R. 2016 Sep;8(9S):S160. PubMed PMID: 27672768
  • Friedly JL, Comstock BA, Standaert CJ, Nedeljkovic S, Kennedy DJ, Sibell DM, Suri P, Akuthota V, Annaswamy TM, Bauer Z, Jarvik JJ. Patient and Procedural Risk Factors for Cortisol Suppression Following Epidural Steroid Injections for Spinal Stenosis. PM R. 2016 Sep;8(9S):S159-S160. PubMed PMID: 27672767
  • Sclafani JA, Constantin A, Ho PS, Akuthota V, Chan L. Descriptive Analysis of Spinal Neuroaxial Injections, Surgical Interventions and Physical Therapy Utilization for Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis within Medicare Beneficiaries from 2000-2011. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2016 May 31. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 27254653
  • Niehaus W, Boimbo S, Akuthota V. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Resident Use of iPad Mini Mobile Devices. PM R. 2015 May;7(5):512-8. PubMed PMID: 25661459
  • Friedly JL, Comstock BA, Turner JA, Heagerty PJ, Deyo RA, Sullivan SD, Bauer Z, Bresnahan BW, Avins AL, Nedeljkovic SS, Nerenz DR, Standaert C, Kessler L, Akuthota V, Annaswamy T, Chen A, Diehn F, Firtch W, Gerges FJ, Gilligan C, Goldberg H, Kennedy DJ, Mandel S, Tyburski M, Sanders W, Sibell D, Smuck M, Wasan A, Won L, Jarvik JG. A randomized trial of epidural glucocorticoid injections for spinal stenosis. N Engl J Med. 2014 Jul 3;371(1):11-21. PubMed PMID: 24988555
  • Friedly J, Akuthota V, Amtmann D, Patrick D. Why disability and rehabilitation specialists should lead the way in patient-reported outcomes. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014 Aug;95(8):1419-22. PubMed PMID: 24732170
  • Yang A, Emig M, Akuthota V. Kissing spine and the retrodural space of Okada: more than just a kiss?. PM R. 2014 Mar;6(3):287-9. PubMed PMID: 24370607
View All (17 Total) View Less

Professional Memberships

  • American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR), Member
  • Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), Member
  • North American Spine Society (NASS), Member
  • Spinal Intervention Society (SIS), Member

Practice Locations

UCHealth Spine Center - Anschutz Medical Campus
Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion - 1st Floor
12605 E. 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-1980

CU Medicine Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Cherry Creek Medical Center
100 Cook Street
Suite 402
Denver, CO 80206
720-516-9419

Hospital Affiliation
  • University of Colorado Hospital

Specialty Information

Specialties
  • Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Board Certification (2002)
  • Sports Medicine, Board Certification (2009)
  • Pain Medicine, Board Certification (2003)
Conditions & Treatments
  • Symptoms and Manifestations - Pain
  • Wellness and Prevention - Exercise and Physical Fitness
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Back Pain
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Arthritis
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Foot and Ankle Injuries and Disorders
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Hip Injuries and Disorders
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Knee Injuries and Disorders
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Leg Injuries and Disorders
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Neck Disorders and Injuries
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Osteoporosis
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Sprains and Strains
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Shoulder Injuries and Disorders
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles - Spine Injuries
  • Brain and Nervous System - Spine Diseases and Conditions
  • Spine - Sacroiliac Joint
  • Bones, Joints and Muscles
  • Brain and Nervous System
  • Symptoms and Manifestations
  • Wellness and Prevention
  • Spine
Clinical Interests
Dr. Akuthota is Professor and Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado. He holds the CU Medicine Endowed Chair in PM&R. In addition, he serves as the medical director of the Spine Center at University of Colorado Hospital. He is board-certified in sports medicine, electrodiagnostic medicine, pain medicine, and physical medicine and rehabilitation. His clinical interests include prevention and management of the neck, spine, lower back pain, and running injuries. He is a 5280 "Top Doc" for many years running.

Care Philosophy
Treat people like family members

Personal Interests
Mindfulness

Public Speaking
Yes
Low back pain, Spinal Stenosis

General Information

Medical Schools:
  • MD, Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy (1994)
Undergraduate Schools:
  • BS, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (OH) (1991)
Internships:
  • McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program (1995)
Residency Programs:
  • McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (1998)
Fellowships:
  • McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University Program, Sports Medicine (1999)
Download CV
Languages: English
Department: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Contact Us
CU Anschutz
Fitzsimons Building

13001 East 17th Place
Campus Box C290
Aurora, CO 80045

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