Venu Akuthota, MD

Professional Titles

• Chair
• Professor

Recognitions

• Inspired Kindness Award, Grateful Patient & Family Program, University of Colorado Hospital Foundation (2010)
  
• Best Paper, North American Spine Society (2011)
  
• Golden Goniometer Academic Teaching Award, Dept of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (2007)
  
• 5280 Top Doctor, 5280 Magazine (2019)
  Recognized as a Top Doctor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation from 2012-present
• 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
• 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.
• CU Medicine Endowed Chair in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, CU Medicine (2019)

Publications

• 29. Maslowski E, Sullivan W, Harwood J, Gonzalez P, Kaufman M, Vidal A, Akuthota V. The Diagnostic Validity of Hip Provocation Maneuvers to Detect Intra-Articular Hip Pathology. PM R 2010; 2:174-181
• 30. Carragee E, Wolfer, L, Akuthota V. Discography: Point Counterpoint. PM & R 2010, 2:958-68.
• Point Counterpoint: Core Strengthening. PMR, June 2010 (in process)
• 32. Chang V, Gonzalez P, Akuthota V. “Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain with adjunctive analgesics.” In Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain (Editors Simon Degnais and Scott Haldeman), 2011
• 34. Akuthota V, Bogduk N, Easa J, Patel A, Prather H, Sharma A. Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections Review and Recommendation Statement. SpineLine, March/April 2013
• Gereinger S, Marciniak C. Senior Editor: Akuthota V. “Electrodiagnosis and Clinical Correlates,” PM&R Supplement, 2013
• Akuthota V, Friedrich J. “Electrodiagnostic Testing” In ACSM Sports Medicine Review (Editors Francis O’Connor and Robert Wilder), 2013
• Yang A, Emig M, Akuthota V. “Kissing Spine and the Retrodural Space of Okada: More Than Just a Kiss?” PM&R, 2013 (In press, available electronically)
• 35. Akuthota V, Brakke R. “Lumbar facet joint pain: utility of diagnostic blockade.” In Interventional Spine (Editor Michael DePalma), 2011 (In press)
• 13. Akuthota V, Abbott A, Nair K, Reid R. “Characteristics of Spinal Injection Ultilization.” Platform presentation at North American Spine Society Annual Meeting, October 8, 2010, Orlanda, Florida
• 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
• 14. Berry K, Akuthota V, Gonzalez P, et al. “Final Needle Position on Lateral Fluoroscopic Image During Confirmed Intra-articular Sacroiliac Joint Injections: A Retrospective Review.” Poster presentation at American Academy of Physical Medicine Annual Assembly, November 4, 2010, Seattle, Washington
• 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
• Akuthota V, Standaert C, Chimes G. The role of core strengthening in chronic low back pain. PM&R 2011,3:664-70.
• Akuthota V. Bupivicaine: The Not So Innocuous Innoculant? PM & R. 3(12):1110, 2011 Dec.
• Abbott Z, Nair KV, Allen RR, MS, Akuthota V. 2011 Outstanding Paper: Utilization characteristics of spinal interventions. The Spine Journal: Official Journal of the North American Spine Society. 12(1):35-43, 2012
• 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
• Yasar E, Singh JR, Hill J, Akuthota V. Image-Guided Injections of the Hip. J Nov Physiother Phys Rehabil 1(2): 108, 2014
• Akuthota V, Press J, Shoemaker E. Therapeutic Exercise for Lumbar Spine Conditions. In Orthopedic Knowledge Update: Spine (Editors Raj Rao and Matthew Smuck), 2012
• Chang V, Gonzalez P, Akuthota V. “Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain with adjunctive analgesics.” In Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain (Editors Simon Degnais and Scott Haldeman), 2011
• 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
• Heinemann A, Raad J, Segal N, Akuthota V, Casey E, Chan L, Friedly J, Press J, Rho M, Sowa G. Developing Outcomes Data Management and Reporting Capacity for Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation Programs. Poster presentation at Association of Academic Physiatrists, March 13, 2015. San Antonio, Texas
• Paul J, Akuthota V. Exogenous Steroid Excess Syndrome after Sacroiliac Joint Injections in a Patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus on Ritonavir: A Case Report. Poster presentation at American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Annual Assembly, November 17, 2011, Orlando, Florida
• Yang AJ, Sauerwein K, Hoffberg A, Shoreman D, Akuthota V. Failure of ‘Conservative Care’ Amorphous Definition in Lumbar Spine Studies. Poster presentation at North American Spine Society Annual Meeting, October 17, 2015, Chicago, Illinois
• Akuthota V. “Rehabilitative Techniques,” In Rheumatology Secrets Plus, 3rd Edition (Editor Sterling West), 2015, Elsevier
• Yang Y, Akuthota V. “Nerve Injuries in Sports,” In Nerves and Nerve Injuries, Volume 2 (Editors R. Shane Tubbs, E Rizk, M Shoja, M Luoka, N Barbaro, R Spinner), 2015, Elsevier
• Akuthota V, Bogduk N, Easa J, Patel A, Prather H, Sharma A. Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections Review and Recommendation Statement. SpineLine, March/April 2013
• Lento P, Akuthota V: “Meniscal Injuries,” In: Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 3rd edition, ed. Walter Frontera, Julie Silver, and Thomas Rizzo, Saunders, 2015
• Lento P, Akuthota V: “Collateral Ligament Sprain,” In: Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 3rd edition, ed. Walter Frontera, Julie Silver, and Thomas Rizzo, Saunders, 2015
• Akuthota V, Stilp S, Lento P, Gonzalez P: “Iliotibial Band Syndrome,” In: Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 3rd edition, ed. Walter Frontera, Julie Silver, and Thomas Rizzo, Saunders, 2015
• Gereinger S, Marciniak C. Senior Editor: Akuthota V. “Electrodiagnosis and Clinical Correlates,” PM&R Supplement, 2013
• Akuthota V, et al. Musculoskeletal Outcomes Research Collaborative (MORC) Consensus Statement on the Use of Common Data Elements in Older Individuals with Low Back Pain, PM&R, under review
• Akuthota V, Friedrich J. “Electrodiagnostic Testing” In ACSM Sports Medicine Review (Editors Francis O’Connor and Robert Wilder), 2013
• Akuthota V, Hammerich A, Mintken P, Cleland J, Whitman J, Singh JR, Knight E, Santo KJ. Effectiveness of Physical Therapy as an Adjunct to Epidural Steroid Injections in the Treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. The Spine Journal 12(2012) 146S. Poster presentation at North American Spine Society, October 24, 2012, Dallas, Texas.
• Smith ML, Singh JR, Nair KV, Allen RR, Akuthota V. Characteristics of Corticosteroid Utilization with Spinal Interventions. AJPMR (2013). Poster presentation at Association of Academic Physiatrists, March 9, 2013, New Orleans, Louisiana.
• 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
• Friedrich J, Brakke R, Akuthota V, Sullivan W. Reliability and Practicality of the Core Score: Four Dynamic Core Stability Tests Performed in a Physician Office Setting. Clinical Journal Of Sports Medicine, 2016
• McMullen C, Akuthota V. Controversies in TFESIs (transforaminal epidural steroid injections). Invited Review in SpineLine (editor William Sullivan), May/June 2016, Volume XVII, Issue 3:12-18.
• Sclafani J, Akuthota V. Integration of Patient-Reported Health-Related Quality of Life Measures for Low Back Pain into Clinical Practice: An Overview of Validated, Frequently Utilized Instruments. Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports (editor Jeffrey Palmer and Neil Segal), 2016
• 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
• Akuthota V, et al. Clinical Course of Motor Deficits from Lumbosacral Radiculopathy Due to Disc Herniation, PM&R (accepted for publication)
• Ukegbu U, Constantin A, Ho P, Sclafani JA, Akuthota V, Chan L. Racial Differences in Treatment Utilization for Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis, JBJS (accepted for publication)
• Meron A, Akuthota V. Spine Disorders in Older Adults. Geriatric Rehabilitation (Editors Cifu D, et al), 2018
• Akuthota et al. Iliotibial Band Syndrome. Frontera: Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Editors ), 2018
• 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
• 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
• 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

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

• University of Colorado Hospital

Specialty Information

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Board Certification (2002)
• Sports Medicine, Board Certification (2009)
• Pain Medicine, Board Certification (2003)

• 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