Evalina Burger-Van der Walt, MD
Professor, Orthopedics

Professional Titles

• Chair

Recognition & Awards

• 10 Spine Surgeon Leaders to Know, Becker’s Spine Review, January 30, 2019 (2019)
• Best Doctors in America 2017-2018, Denver Business Journal (2018)
• Hull Deformity award, SICOT (2018)
  Patient Specific Spine Rods (PSSR) Decrease Rate of Mechanical Complications (MC) after Correction of Adult Spine Deformity (ASD)”, Montreal, Canada, October 10-13, 2018, Kleck CJ, Patel VV, Cain CMJ, Calabrese D, Reeves B, Noshchenko A, Burger EL.
• Best Doctors in America 2016-2017, Denver Business Journal (2017)
• Marquis Who’s Who in the World, The Marquis Who’s Who Publications Board (2017)
• Best Clinical Paper Award, International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT) (2017)
  Pelvic Incidence and Its Relationship to Total Hip Dislocation in Patients with Previous Lumbar Spine Fusion”, Cape Town, South Africa, November 30-December 2, 2017, Kleck CJ, York P, Dayton M, Hogan C, Burger EL.
• Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2015)
  
• MORE Award, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2014)
  
• Spine Surgeons to Know, Becker's Spine Review (2014)
  
• Women Spine Surgeons to Know, Becker's Spine Review (2013)
  
• Best Doctor for Executives, ColoradoBiz Magazine (2012)
  Named Best Spinal Surgery Doctor
• Spine Surgeons to Know, Becker's Spine Review (2012)
  
• Female Spine Surgeons to Know, Becker's Spine Review (2011)
  
• Cambridge 2010 Edition of Who’s Who Executives and Professionals , Cambridge (2010)
  
• Thomas Whitecloud Award for the best Basic Science paper, IMAST (2010)
  
• Best Poster Award, NASS (2010)
  Correlation of Vertebral Strength Topography with Three-Dimensional Computed tomography structure.
• Partners in Care Award, University of Colorado Hospital (2009)
  
• ABC Traveling Fellow , SAOA (2000)
  Top 6 Orthopedic surgeons of the English Speaking World are invited to travel the world.
• The G F Dommisse prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement and Research, University of Pretoria (1993)
  

Teaching

Publications

• Martin CT, Holton KJ, Elder BD, Fogelson JL, Mikula AL, Kleck CJ, Calabrese D, Burger EL, Ou-Yang D, Patel VV, Kim HJ, Lovecchio F, Hu SS, Wood KB, Harper R, Yoon ST, Ananthakrishnan D, Michael KW, Schell AJ, Lieberman IH, Kisinde S, DeWald CJ, Nolte MT, Colman MW, Phillips FM, Gelb DE, Bruckner J, Ross LB, Johnson JP, Kim TT, Anand N, Cheng JS, Plummer Z, Park P, Oppenlander ME, Sembrano JN, Jones KE, Polly DW. Catastrophic acute failure of pelvic fixation in adult spinal deformity requiring revision surgery: a multicenter review of incidence, failure mechanisms, and risk factors. J Neurosurg Spine. 2023 Jan 1;38(1):98-106. PubMed PMID: 36057123
• Delcont MR, Ou-Yang DC, Burger EL, Patel VV, Wessell NM, Kleck CJ. Alternative Uses of O-Arm and Stealth Navigation Technology Over 10 Years: The University of Colorado Experience. Orthopedics. 2023 Mar-Apr;46(2):e89-e97. PubMed PMID: 35876781
• Sabri SA, Chavarria JC, Ackert-Bicknell C, Swanson C, Burger E. Osteoporosis: An Update on Screening, Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment. Orthopedics. 2023 Jan-Feb;46(1):e20-e26. PubMed PMID: 35876780
• Delcont MR, Ou-Yang DC, Burger EL, Patel VV, Wessell NM, Kleck CJ. Alternative Uses of O-Arm and Stealth Navigation Technology Over 10 Years: The University of Colorado Experience. Orthopedics. 2022 Jul 25;:1-9. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 35876781
• Payne KA, Shaw NM, Erickson CB, Yarger P, Yu Y, Baldini T, Kleck CJ, Patel VV, Burger EL. Blockade of Osteoclast-Mediated Bone Resorption With a RANKL-Inhibitor Enhances Bone Formation in a Rat Spinal Fusion Model. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2022 Aug 15;47(16):1165-1171. PubMed PMID: 35797625
• Ou-Yang D, Burger EL, Kleck CJ. Pre-Operative Planning in Complex Deformities and Use of Patient-Specific UNiD(™) Instrumentation. Global Spine J. 2022 Apr;12(2_suppl):40S-44S. PubMed PMID: 35393875
• Wessell NM, Kleck C, Ou-Yang D, Goldstein CL, Burger E, Patel V. The University of Colorado Virtual Physical Examination for Spine Surgeons: A Preliminary Study. Orthopedics. 2022 Jan-Feb;45(1):e7-e10. PubMed PMID: 34846242
• Ayers R, Noschenko A, Ou-Yang D, Burger E, Patel V, Kleck CJ. Laser Marking of Spine Rods Is Strongly Associated With Risk of Clinical Rod Failure. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2022 Jan 15;30(2):e252-e263. PubMed PMID: 34715690
• Clavijo CF, Oliva AM, Dingmann C, Kaizer A, Christians U, Burger E, Patel V, Kleck CJ, Vogel SA, Scott BK, Janik DJ, Jameson LC, Ginde AA. Toxicology Screening Testing in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery: A Prospective Observational Pilot Study. Ther Drug Monit. 2021 Feb 1;43(1):136-138. PubMed PMID: 33181620
• Kleck CJ, Noshchenko A, Burger EL, Cain CMJ, Patel VV. Postoperative pelvic incidence (PI) change may impact sagittal spinopelvic alignment (SSA) after instrumented surgical correction of adult spine deformity (ASD). Spine Deform. 2021 Jul;9(4):1093-1104. PubMed PMID: 33871832
• Clavijo CF, Oliva AM, Dingmann C, Kaizer A, Christians U, Burger E, Patel V, Kleck CJ, Vogel SA, Scott BK, Janik DJ, Jameson LC, Ginde AA. Toxicology Screening Testing in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery: A Prospective Observational Pilot Study. Ther Drug Monit. 2021 Feb 1;43(1):136-138. PubMed PMID: 33181620
• Ayers R, Patel V, Burger E, Cain C, Ou-Yang D, Wessell N, Kleck C. Corrosion of Titanium Spinal Explants Is Similar to That Observed in Oil Field Line Pipe Steel: Evidence of Microbial-Influenced Corrosion In Vivo. Orthopedics. 2020 Jan 1;43(1):62-67. PubMed PMID: 31958342
• Branche K, Netsanet R, Noshchenko A, Burger E, Patel V, Ou-Yang D, Kleck CJ. Radius of Curvature in Patient-Specific Short Rod Constructs Versus Standard Pre-Bent Rods. Int J Spine Surg. 2020 Dec;14(6):944-948. PubMed PMID: 33560254
• Ayers R, Patel V, Burger E, Cain C, Ou-Yang D, Wessell N, Kleck C. Corrosion of Titanium Spinal Explants Is Similar to That Observed in Oil Field Line Pipe Steel: Evidence of Microbial-Influenced Corrosion In Vivo. Orthopedics. 2020 Jan 1;43(1):62-67. PubMed PMID: 31958342
• Kleck C, Calabrese D, Reeves BJ, Cain CMJ, Patel VV, Noshchenko A, Burger EL. Long-Term Treatment Effect and Predictability of Spinopelvic Alignment after Surgical Correction of Adult Spine Deformity (ASD) with Patient-Specific Spine Rods (PSSR). Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2019 Oct 15. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 31651682 [PubMed] Spine Journal, 2020
• Rodriguez-Fontan, F., B. J. Reeves, A. Noshchenko, D. Ou-Yang, C. J. Kleck, C. Cain, E. Burger-Van der Walt and V. V. Patel (2020). "Answer to the Letter to the Editor of O. Ersen concerning "Strap stabilization for proximal junctional kyphosis prevention in instrumented posterior spinal fusion'' by Rodriguez-Fontan F, et al. (Eur Spine J;
• Kuris, Eren O, Burger, E., "The Impact of Patient-Specific Spine Rods on Spinopelvic Parameters after Short Segment Degenerative Lumbar Fusions" (the "Work"), Spine Journal, November 2020
• Wessell, NM; Kleck, CJ; Ou-Yang, DC; Goldstein, C; Burger, E; Patel, VV., The University of Colorado Virtual Physical Exam for Spine Surgeons: A Preliminary Study. Orthopedics. Accepted December 2020.
• Anand N, Agrawal A, Burger EL, Ferrero E, Fogelson JL, Kaito T, LaGrone MO, Le Huec JC, Lee JH, Mudiyam R, Sasao Y, Sembrano JN, Trobisch PD, Yang SH. The Prevalence of the Use of MIS Techniques in the Treatment of Adult Spinal Deformity (ASD) Amongst Members of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) in 2016. Spine Deform. 2019 Mar;7(2):319-324. PubMed PMID: 31981165
• Kleck C, Calabrese D, Reeves BJ, Cain CMJ, Patel VV, Noshchenko A, Burger EL. Long-Term Treatment Effect and Predictability of Spinopelvic Alignment after Surgical Correction of Adult Spine Deformity (ASD) with Patient-Specific Spine Rods (PSSR). Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2019 Oct 15. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 31651682
• Hollenbeck JFM, Fattor JA, Patel V, Burger E, Rullkoetter PJ, Cain CMJ. Validation of Pre-operative Templating for Total Disc Replacement Surgery. Int J Spine Surg. 2019 Jan;13(1):84-91. PubMed PMID: 30805290
• Anand N, Agrawal A, Burger EL, Ferrero E, Fogelson JL, Kaito T, LaGrone MO, Le Huec JC, Lee JH, Mudiyam R, Sasao Y, Sembrano JN, Trobisch PD, Yang SH. The Prevalence of the Use of MIS Techniques in the Treatment of Adult Spinal Deformity (ASD) Amongst Members of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) in 2016. Spine Deform. 2019 Mar;7(2):319-324. PubMed PMID: 30660228
• Solla F, Barrey CY, Burger E, Kleck CJ, Fière V. Patient-specific Rods for Surgical Correction of Sagittal Imbalance in Adults: Technical Aspects and Preliminary Results. Clin Spine Surg. 2019 Mar;32(2):80-86. PubMed PMID: 30256240
• Schroeder N, Noschenko A, Burger E, Patel V, Cain C, Ou-Yang D, Kleck C. Pelvic Incidence Changes Between Flexion and Extension. Spine Deform. 2018 Nov - Dec;6(6):753-761. PubMed PMID: 30348355
• Solla F, Barrey CY, Burger E, Kleck CJ, Fière V. Patient-specific Rods for Surgical Correction of Sagittal Imbalance in Adults: Technical Aspects and Preliminary Results. Clin Spine Surg. 2018 Sep 25. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 30256240
• Look N, Kleck CJ, Burger EL. Surgical Intervention for Cauda Equina Syndrome in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy: A Report of Three Cases. JBJS Case Connect. 2018 Jul-Sep;8(3):e68. PubMed PMID: 30211711
• Bozzio AE, Johnson CR, Fattor JA, Kleck CJ, Patel VV, Burger EL, Noshchenko A, Cain CMJ. Stand-alone Anterior Lumbar Interbody, Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody, and Anterior/Posterior Fusion: Analysis of Fusion Outcomes and Costs. Orthopedics. 2018 Sep 1;41(5):e655-e662. PubMed PMID: 30011051
• Kleck CJ, Illing D, Lindley EM, Noshchenko A, Patel VV, Barton C, Baldini T, Cain CMJ, Burger EL. Reply to Letter to Editor: Strain in Posterior Instrumentation Resulted by Different Combinations of Posterior and Anterior Devices for Long Spine Fusion Constructs. Spine Deform. 2018 May - Jun;6(3):335-340. PubMed PMID: 29735147
• Kleck CJ, Burger EL. Development of Bilateral Facet Cysts Causing Recurrent Symptoms After Decompression and the Placement of an Intralaminar Implant: A Case Report. JBJS Case Connect. 2018 Jan-Mar;8(1):e11. PubMed PMID: 29489522
• Kleck CJ, Johnson C, Akiyama M, Burger EL, Cain CJ, Patel VV. One-step Minimally Invasive Pedicle Screw Instrumentation Using O-Arm and Stealth Navigation. Clin Spine Surg. 2018 Jun;31(5):197-202. PubMed PMID: 29389770
• Kleck CJ, Illing D, Lindley EM, Noshchenko A, Patel VV, Barton C, Baldini T, Cain CM, Burger EL. Strain in Posterior Instrumentation Resulted by Different Combinations of Posterior and Anterior Devices for Long Spine Fusion Constructs. Spine Deform. 2017 Jan;5(1):27-36. PubMed PMID: 28038691
• Lindley EM, Barton C, Blount T, Burger EL, Cain CM, Seim HB 3rd, Turner AS, Patel VV. An analysis of spine fusion outcomes in sheep pre-clinical models. Eur Spine J. 2017 Jan;26(1):228-239. PubMed PMID: 27165183
• Noshchenko A, Hoffecker L, Cain CMJ, Patel VV, Burger EL. Spinopelvic Parameters in Asymptomatic Subjects Without Spine Disease and Deformity: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. Clin Spine Surg. 2017 Nov;30(9):392-403. PubMed PMID: 28368866
• Kleck CJ, Illing D, Lindley EM, Noshchenko A, Patel VV, Barton C, Baldini T, Cain CMJ, Burger EL. Strain in Posterior Instrumentation Resulted by Different Combinations of Posterior and Anterior Devices for Long Spine Fusion Constructs. Spine Deform. 2017 Jan;5(1):27-36. PubMed PMID: 28038691
• Lindley EM, Barton C, Blount T, Burger EL, Cain CM, Seim HB 3rd, Turner AS, Patel VV. An analysis of spine fusion outcomes in sheep pre-clinical models. Eur Spine J. 2017 Jan;26(1):228-239. PubMed PMID: 27165183
• Noshchenko A, Lindley EM, Burger EL, Cain CM, Patel VV. What Is the Clinical Relevance of Radiographic Nonunion After Single-Level Lumbar Interbody Arthrodesis in Degenerative Disc Disease?: A Meta-Analysis of the YODA Project Database. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2016 Jan;41(1):9-17. PubMed PMID: 26274529
• Fattor JA, Hollenbeck JF, Laz PJ, Rullkoetter PJ, Burger EL, Patel VV, Cain CM. Patient-Specific Templating of Lumbar Total Disk Replacement to Restore Normal Anatomy and Function. Orthopedics. 2016 Mar-Apr;39(2):97-102. PubMed PMID: 27023417
• Kleck CJ, Perry JM, Burger EL, Cain CM, Milligan K, Patel VV. Sacroiliac Joint Treatment Personalized to Individual Patient Anatomy Using 3-Dimensional Navigation. Orthopedics. 2016 Mar-Apr;39(2):89-94. PubMed PMID: 27023416
• Kleck CJ, Cullilmore I, LaFleur M, Lindley E, Rentschler ME, Burger EL, Cain CM, Patel VV. A new 3-dimensional method for measuring precision in surgical navigation and methods to optimize navigation accuracy. Eur Spine J. 2016 Jun;25(6):1764-74. PubMed PMID: 26394858
• Noshchenko A, Lindley EM, Burger EL, Cain CM, Patel VV. What Is the Clinical Relevance of Radiographic Nonunion After Single-Level Lumbar Interbody Arthrodesis in Degenerative Disc Disease?: A Meta-Analysis of the YODA Project Database. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2016 Jan;41(1):9-17. PubMed PMID: 26274529
• Lindley EM, Milligan K, Farmer R, Burger EL, Patel VV. Patient-Controlled Transdermal Fentanyl Versus Intravenous Morphine Pump After Spine Surgery. Orthopedics. 2015 Sep;38(9):e819-24. PubMed PMID: 26375541
• Branting NC, Flug JA, Jesse MK, Lowry PA, Strickland CD, Burger EL. Discography with epidural contrast extravasation along an exiting nerve root. Spine J. 2015 Apr 1;15(4):782. PubMed PMID: 25459748
• Polly DW, Cher DJ, Wine KD, Whang PG, Frank CJ, Harvey CF, Lockstadt H, Glaser JA, Limoni RP, Sembrano JN. Randomized Controlled Trial of Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Using Triangular Titanium Implants vs Nonsurgical Management for Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: 12-Month Outcomes. Neurosurgery. 2015 Nov;77(5):674-90; discussion 690-1. PubMed PMID: 26291338
• Noshchenko A, Hoffecker L, Lindley EM, Burger EL, Cain CM, Patel VV, Bradford AP. Predictors of spine deformity progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A systematic review with meta-analysis. World J Orthop. 2015 Aug 18;6(7):537-58. PubMed PMID: 26301183
• Kleck CJ, Cullilmore I, LaFleur M, Lindley E, Rentschler ME, Burger EL, Cain CM, Patel VV. A new 3-dimensional method for measuring precision in surgical navigation and methods to optimize navigation accuracy. Eur Spine J. 2015 Sep 22. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 26394858
• Barton C, Noshchenko A, Patel V, Cain C, Kleck C, Burger E. Risk factors for rod fracture after posterior correction of adult spinal deformity with osteotomy: a retrospective case-series. Scoliosis. 2015;10:30. PubMed PMID: 26543498
• Branting NC, Flug JA, Jesse MK, Lowry PA, Strickland CD, Burger EL. Discography with epidural contrast extravasation along an exiting nerve root. Spine J. 2014 Nov 25. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25459748
• Noshchenko A, Hoffecker L, Lindley EM, Burger EL, Cain CM, Patel VV. Perioperative and long-term clinical outcomes for bone morphogenetic protein versus iliac crest bone graft for lumbar fusion in degenerative disk disease: systematic review with meta-analysis. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2014 May;27(3):117-35. PubMed PMID: 24945290
• Noshchenko A, Hoffecker L, Lindley EM, Burger EL, Cain CM, Patel VV. Long Term Treatment Effects of Lumbar Arthrodeses in Degenerative Disc Disease: A Systematic Review with Meta Analysis. J Spinal Disord Tech. 2014 Jun 6. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 24901878
• Paietta RC, Burger EL, Ferguson VL. Mineralization and collagen orientation throughout aging at the vertebral endplate in the human lumbar spine. J Struct Biol. 2013 Nov;184(2):310-20. PubMed PMID: 23999190

Professional Memberships

• American Medical Association (AMA), Member
• Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), Member
• AO – Spine North America , Faculty
• International College of Surgeons (ICS), Member
• J. Robert Gladden Orthopedic Society (JRGOS), Member
• SICOT North America, President
• Twentieth Century Orthopedic Association, Member
• American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), Member
• Society of Lateral Access Surgery (SOLAS), Member
• International Society for Advanced Spine Surgery (ISASS), Member
• Orthopedic Research Society, Member
• American Orthopaedic Association, Member
• Lamplighters Orthopaedic Association, Member