Evalina Burger-Van der Walt, MD

Professional Titles

• Chair

Recognitions

• Partners in Care Award, University of Colorado Hospital (2009)
  
• 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.
• 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)
  
• Best Doctor for Executives, ColoradoBiz Magazine (2012)
  Named Best Spinal Surgery Doctor
• 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)
  
• Spine Surgeons to Know, Becker's Spine Review (2012)
  
• Female Spine Surgeons to Know, Becker's Spine Review (2011)
  
• Best Doctors in America, Best Doctors, Inc. (2015)
  
• 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 Doctors in America 2017-2018, Denver Business Journal (2018)
• 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.
• 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.
• 10 Spine Surgeon Leaders to Know, Becker’s Spine Review, January 30, 2019 (2019)

Publications

• Patel, VV, Brown, C, Burger, E: “Spine Trauma Surgical Techniques”, Springer Verlag, August 2010
• Burger E. Complications in Spine Surgery. Spine Trauma Surgical Techniques Augsut 2010
• Small peptide (P-15) bone substitute efficacy in a rabbit cancellous bone model. Lindley EM, Guerra FA, Krauser JT, Matos SM, Burger EL, Patel VV. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2010 Aug;94(2):463-8
• Evaluation of ABM/P-15 versus autogenous bone in an ovine lumbar interbody fusion model. Sherman BP, Lindley EM, Turner AS, Seim HB 3rd, Benedict J, Burger EL, Patel VV. Eur Spine J. 2010 Dec;19(12):2156-63. Epub 2010 Aug 9.
• Thermomechanical Effects of Spine Surgery Rods Composed of Different Metals and Alloys. Noshchenko A, Patel VV, Baldini T, Yun L, Lindley EM, Burger EL. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010 Aug 25
• Nucleus replacement device failure: a case report and biomechanical study. Lindley EM, Jaafar S, Noshchenko A, Baldini T, Nair DP, Shandas R, Burger EL, Patel VV. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2010 Oct 15;35(22):E1241-7
• Facet joint biomechanics at the treated and adjacent levels after total disc replacement. Botolin S, Puttlitz C, Baldini T, Petrella A, Burger E, Abjornson C, Patel V. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Jan 1;36(1):E27-32
• Clinical and radiological outcomes of axial lumbar interbody fusion. Patil SS, Lindley EM, Patel VV, Burger EL. Orthopedics. 2010 Dec 1;33(12). doi: 10.3928/01477447-20101021-05.
• Piriformis syndrome versus radiculopathy following lumbar artificial disc replacement. Robinson ES, Lindley EM, Gonzalez P, Estes S, Cooley R, Burger EL, Patel VV. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Feb 15;36(4):E282
• Oral Presentations Botolin S, Puttlitz C, Petrella A, Baldini T, Burger E, Abjornson C, Patel V. Facet joint biomechanics at the treated and adjacent levels after total disc replacement. 12th Meeting of the Combinded Orthopaedic Associations (COMOC). Glasgow, Scotland, September 12-17, 2010.
• Noshchenko A, Burger EL, Patel VV. Correlation of Vertebral Strength Topography With 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography Structure. 25th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society (NASS). Orlando, Florida, October 5-9, 2010.
• Botolin S, Puttlitz C, Petrella A, Baldini T, Burger E, Abjornson C, Patel V. Facet joint biomechanics at the treated and adjacent levels after total disc replacement. 25th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society (NASS). Orlando, Florida, October 5-9, 2010.
• Lindley EM, Sherman BP, Ohnmeiss D, Zigler J, Kasow DB, Janssen ME, Burger EL, Patel VV. The Positive Predictive Value of Provocative Discography in Artificial Disc Replacement. 25th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society (NASS). Orlando, Florida, October 5-9, 2010.
• Botolin S, Puttlitz C, Petrella A, Baldini T, Burger E, Abjornson C, Patel V. Facet joint biomechanics at the treated and adjacent levels after total disc replacement. 7th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT). Gothenburg, Sweden, August 31-September 3, 2010.
• Lindley EM, McCullough M, Brown C; Burger EL; Patel VV. Complications Associated with Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion. 17th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST). Toronto, Canada, July 21-24, 2010.
• Lindley EM, McCullough M, Brown C; Burger EL; Patel VV. Complications Associated with Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion. 25th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society (NASS). Orlando, Florida, October 5-9, 2010.
• Lindley EM, Sherman BP, Ohnmeiss D, Zigler J, Kasow DB, Janssen ME, Burger EL, Patel VV. The Positive Predictive Value of Provocative Discography in Artificial Disc Replacement. 7th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT). Gothenburg, Sweden, August 31-September 3, 2010.
• Lindley EM, McCullough M, Brown C; Burger EL; Patel VV. Complications Associated with Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion. 7th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT). Gothenburg, Sweden, August 31-September 3, 2010.
• Lindley EM, Robinson ES, Gonzalez P, Estes S, Cooley R, Burger EL, Patel VV. Piriformis Syndrome versus Radiculopathy Following Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement. 7th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT). Gothenburg, Sweden, August 31-September 3, 2010.
• Noshchenko A, Burger EL, Patel VV. Correlation of Vertebral Strength Topography With 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography Structure. 7th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT). Gothenburg, Sweden, August 31-September 3, 2010.
• Lindley EM, Robinson ES, Gonzalez P, Estes S, Cooley R, Burger EL, Patel VV. Piriformis Syndrome versus Radiculopathy Following Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement. 17th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST). Toronto, Canada, July 21-24, 2010.
• Lindley EM, Sherman BP, Ohnmeiss D, Zigler J, Kasow DB, Janssen ME, Burger EL, Patel VV. The Positive Predictive Value of Provocative Discography in Artificial Disc Replacement. 17th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST). Toronto, Canada, July 21-24, 2010.
• Noshchenko A, Burger EL, Patel VV. Correlation of Vertebral Strength Topography With 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography Structure. 17th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST). Toronto, Canada, July 21-24, 2010.
• Botolin S, Puttlitz C, Baldini T, Petrella A, Burger EL, Abjornson C, Patel V. Facet joint biomechanics at the treated and adjacent levels after total disc replacement. Spine. (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Jan 1;36(1):E27-32.
• Robinson ES, Gonzalez P, Lindley EM, Estes S, Cooley R, Burger EL, Patel VV. Piriformis Syndrome versus Radiculopathy Following Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Feb 15;36(4):E282-7.
• Noshchenko A, Xianfeng Y, Armour GA, Baldini T, Patel VV, Ayers R, Burger E. Evaluation of spinal instrumentation rod bending characteristics for in-situ contouring. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2011 Jul;98(1):192-200. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.31837. Epub 2011 May 11.
• Lindley EM, McCullough MA, Burger EL, Brown CW, Patel VV. Complications of Axial Lumbar Interbody Fusion. J Neurosurg Spine. . J Neurosurg Spine. 2011 May 20 *Article accompanied in J Neurosurg Spine by a peer-written editorial and response from the authors; featured online with a Podcast synopsis of the article.
• Lyons AS, Sherman BP, Puttlitz CM, Patel VV, Adjornson C, Turner AS, Seim HB 3rd, Burger EL, Lindley EM. Failure of resorbable plates and screws in an ovine model of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. The Spine J. 2011 7(9):876-83.
• Yao X, Blount TJ, Suzuki N, Brown LK, van der Walt CJ, Baldini T, Lindley EM, Patel VV, Burger EL. A biomechanical study on the effects of rib head release on thoracic spinal motion. Eur Spine J. 2011 Oct 13.
• Lindley EM, Botolin S, Burger EL, Patel VV. Unusual spine anatomy contributing to wrong level spine surgery: a case report and recommendations for decreasing the risk of preventable 'never events'. Patient Saf Surg. 2011 Dec 14. ;5(1):33.
• Patil S, Lindley EM, Burger EL, Yoshihara H, Patel VV. Pedicle Screw Placement With O-arm and Stealth Navigation. Orthopedics. 2012 Jan 16;35(1):e61-5. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20111122-15.
• Winter RB, Burger EL. L5 Hemivertebra Resection and T12-S1 Fusion in a 14-Year-Old Female With a 36-Year Follow-up. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2012 Apr 1. 37(7):E445-50.
• Burger EL. Neuro-monitoring for Thoracic Spine Surgery. Monitoring the Nervous System for Anesthesiologists and Other Health Care Professionals. 2011.
• Patil S, Lindley EM, Burger EL, Patel VV. O-arm and Stealth System Navigation for Pedicle Screw Placement in Thoracolumbar Spine Surgery. 11th Annual Meeting of The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS). Las Vegas, Nevada, April 26 - 29, 2011.
• Golembeski S, Lindley EM, Sophacles A, Burger EL, Patel VV. Dynamic Translating versus Variable Angle Plates in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. 11th Annual Meeting of The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS). Las Vegas, Nevada, April 26 - 29, 2011.
• Botolin S, Puttlitz C, Petrella A, Baldini T, Burger E, Abjornson C, Patel V. Facet joint biomechanics at the treated and adjacent levels after total disc replacement. 124th Annual Meeting of The American Orthopaedic Association (AOA). Boston, Massachusetts, June 22-25, 2011.
• 45. Patil S, Lindley EM, Burger EL, Patel VV. O-arm and Stealth System Navigation for Pedicle Screw Placement in Thoracolumbar Spine Surgery. Annual Meeting of the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT). Prague, Czech Republic, September 6-9, 2011.
• Two Year Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) Clinical Effects after Lumbar Fusion in Degenerative Disc Disease. Burger EL, Patel VV, Noshchenko A. Annual Meeting of The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). San Francisco, California, February 7-11 2012.
• Golembeski S, Lindley EM, McBeth ZL, Sophacles A, Burger EL, Cain CMJ, Patel VV. Translating versus non-translating cervical plates. Curr Orth Prac. In Press.
• Noshchenko A, Plasied A, Patel VV, Burger EL, Baldini T, Lu Y. Correlation of Vertebral Strength Topography with 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography Structure. Spine. In Press.
• Puttlitz C, Patel VV, Ayturk U, Schuldt D, Gadomski B. Modeling Degenerative Disc Disease In The Lumbar Spine: A Combined Experimental, Constitutive, And Computational Approach. J Biomech Eng. 2012, 134(10):101003.
• Myers KD, Lindley EM, Burger EL, Patel VV. C1-C2 fusion: Postoperative C2 nerve impingement-is it a problem? Evid Based Spine Care J. 2012, 3(1):53-56.
• Lindley EM, McBeth ZL, Henry SE, Cooley R, Burger EL, Cain CMJ, Patel VV. Retrograde ejaculation following anterior lumbar spine surgery. Spine. 2012, 37(20):1785-9. *Article featured online in the journal’s Spine Blog by a peer-written editorial and response from the authors Lindley EM, Patti BN, Taylor MRG, Burger EL, Patel VV. Lumbar Artificial disc replacement in
• Lindley EM, Patti BN, Taylor MRG, Burger EL, Patel VV. Lumbar Artificial disc replacement in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A case report and discussion of clinical management. International Journal of Spine Surgery. 2012, 6(1):124-129.
• 1. Lindley EM, McBeth ZL, Henry SE, Burger EL, Cain CMJ, Patel VV. Retrograde ejaculation following anterior lumbar spine surgery. 33rd annual Meeting of the International Society of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology (SICOT) & 17th annual meeting of the Pan Arab Orthopaedic Association (PAOA) Orthopaedic World Conference. Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2012. **Top 56 Best Papers**
• 2. Cain CM, LaFleur M, Rao M, Hollenbeck J, RullkoetterPJ. Pre-op anatomical FEA templating for patient selection and optimizing range of motion in TDR. 19th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST). Istanbul, Turkey, 2012.
• 3. Noshchenko A, Burger EL, Cain CM, Lindley EM, Patel VV. Two Year Bone Morphogenetic Protein Clinical Effects after Lumbar Fusion in Degenerative Disc Disease. 19th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST). Istanbul, Turkey, 2012.
• 1. Lindley EM, McBeth ZL, Henry SE, Burger EL, Cain CMJ, Patel VV. Retrograde ejaculation following anterior lumbar spine surgery. 27th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society (NASS). Dallas, Texas, 2012.
• 2. Rao M, Cain CMJ, Rullkoetter PJ. The influence of prodisc-l positioning on mechanics of the lumbar spine. Annual meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS). San Francisco, California, February 4-7, 2012.
• 4. Patel V, Burger E, Noshchenko A. Clinical Outcomes of Lumbar Arthrodeses (LA) in Patients with Spondylosis (SP). 125 Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Association. 2012, Washington DC,. 2012.
• 2. Farmer RP, Paietta RC, Ferguson VL, Patel V, Burger E. Histological Characterization of the Cartilaginous Endplate in the Human Spine. Annual meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS). San Antonio, Texas, 2013.
• 3. Lindley EM, McBeth ZL, Henry SE, Burger EL, Cain CMJ, Patel VV. Retrograde ejaculation following anterior lumbar spine surgery. 27th Annual Meeting of the North American Spine Society (NASS). Dallas, Texas, 2012.
• 4. Farmer RP, Paietta RC, Ferguson VL, Burger E, Patel V. Histological characterization of the cartilaginous endplate in the infant spine. 19th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST). Istanbul, Turkey, Toronto, Canada, 2012.
• 5. Noshchenko A, Burger EL, Patel VV. Clinical Outcomes of Lumbar Arthrodeses in Patients with Spondylosis. 125th Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA). Washington, DC, 2012.
• 7. Burger EL, Patel VV, Noshchenko A. Two Year Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) Clinical effects after lumbar fusion in degenerative disc disease. Annual Meeting of The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). San Francisco, California, 2012.
• 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
• Noshchenko A, Plasied A, Patel VV, Burger EL, Baldini T, Lu Y. Correlation of Vertebral Strength Topography with 3-Dimensional Computed Tomography Structure. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Feb 15;38(4):339-49.
• 39. Golembeski S, Lindley EM, McBeth ZL, Sophacles A, Burger EL, Cain CMJ, Patel VV. Translating versus non-translating cervical plates. Curr Orth Prac. In Press.
• 40. Sloan T, Burger EL. Methohexital in Total Intravenous Anesthesia During Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring. Clinical Modeling and Computing J. In Press
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Ayers R, Hayne M, Burger EL. Spine rod straightening as a possible cause for revision. Clinical Applications of Biomaterials. 2017 Jul;28(123): 1-7. doi: 10.1007/s10856-017-5935-2
• Ayers R, Kleck C, Miller M, Burger E. Bacterial Infection of Spine Instrumentation and Microbial Influenced Corrosion (MIC): Chicken or Egg. Biomedical J Sci and Tech. 2017 Nov. 1(6)-2017. BJSTR. MS.ID.000521. DOI : 20.2617/BJSTR.2017.01.000521.
• Ayers R, Miller M, Schowinsky J, Burger E, Patel V, Kleck C. Three Cases of metallosis associated with spine instrumentation. J of Material Science: Material in Medicine 29:3. 2017 Dec. DOI 10.1007/s10856-017-6011-7
• 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
• Payne KA, Sauque M, Shaw N, Erickson C, Yarger P, Baldini T, Kleck CJ, Patel V, Burger EL. “Blockade of Osteoclast-Mediated Bone Resorption with a RANKL Inhibitor Enhances Spinal Fusion” ORS 2017. San Diego, CA, USA, March 21, 2017.
• Patient-Specific Rods show a reduction in rod breakage incidence
• 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
• An Evaluation of Standardized Bundles to Reduce Surgical Site Infections among Spine Patients. ISASS 2017. Boca Raton, FL, USA, April 12-14, 2017
• 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
• Payne KA, Sauque M, Shaw N, Erickson C, Yarger P, Baldini T, Kleck CJ, Patel V, Burger EL. Blockade of Osteoclast-Mediated Bone Resorption with a RANKL Inhibitor Enhances Spinal Fusion in a Rat Model. Annual Meeting of the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons, Austin, TX, April, 2017.
• Burger EL. Chang MS, Lafage R, Patel VV, Noshchenko A, Fiere V, Calabrese D. “Quality of Life and Sagittal Alignment after Surgical Correction of Adult Spinal Deformity with Posterior Instrumentation and Simultaneous Translation on Two Rods technique” NASS 2017 Annual Meeting. Orlando, FL. October 25-28, 2017.
• Payne KA, Sauque M, Shaw N, Erickson C, Yarger P, Baldini T, Kleck CJ, Patel V, Burger EL. Blockade of Osteoclast-Mediated Bone Resorption with a RANKL Inhibitor Enhances Spinal Fusion in a Rat Model. ASBMR 2017 Annual Meeting. Denver, CO, USA, September 8-11, 2017.
• 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
• Burger EL, Chang MS, LaFage R, Patel VV,Noshchenko A, Clabrese D, Fiere V. Quality of Life and Sagittal Alignment after Surgical Correction of Adult Spinal Deformity with Posterior Instrumentation and Simultaneous Translation on Two Rods technique. NASS, 2017 Orlando, FL, October, 2017
• Burger EL, Kleck CJ. Surgical Intervention for Cauda Equina in the Second and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy: A Case Series. SICOT, South Africa, November, 2017
• Kleck C, Fiere V, Burger EL, D’Astorg H, Szadkowski M, Patel VV, Calabrese D, Noshchenko A. Surgical Planning and Patient-Specific Rods (PSR) Improve Correction of Sagittal Imbalance in Adult Spinal Deformity (ASD),SICOT, 2017
• 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
• Patel VV, Ferguson V, Ortega A, Wuthrich Z, Thompson K, Jones,Z, Burger EL, Cain C, Kleck, C, Lindley E, Spinal Fusion and RHBMP in a Vitamin D deficient Rat Model”, SICOT 2017
• 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, C, Burger EL, “Perioperative Management of Complex Spine Cases”, SICOT , 2017
• Noshchenko A, Cain CMJ, Zaghloul K, Lindley EM, Kleck CJ, Burger EL, Patel VV. Pedicle screw placement assisted by 3D imaging (O-arm System with StealthStation® software) versus free-hand technique for multilevel posterior thoracolumbar fusion. Current Orthopaedic Practice: March/April 2018 - Volume 29 - Issue 2 - p 151–156 doi: 10.1097. BCO.0000000000000601 Original Research.
• Pastel V, Burger EL, “One-Step Techniques for MIS Pedicle Screw Placement”, SICOT, 2017
• EL Burger, Kleck C, Patel V, Calabrese D, Noshchenko A, Sean M, Chang M, Fiere M, “Quality of Life and Sagittal Alignment After Surgical Correction of Adult Spinal Deformity (ASD) with Posterior Instrumentation”, SICOT, 2017
• Kleck C, York P, Dayton M, Hogan C, Burger EL, Pelvic Incidence and Its Relationship to Total Hip Dislocation in Patients with Previous Lumbar Spine Fusion”, SICOT, 2017.
• Burger EL, Fuentes S, Fiere V, Blondel B, Faure A, Tropiano P, Passias PG. Patient-specific Rods Show a Reduction in Rod Breakage Incidence. 29th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Spine Society of Australia (SSA). Adelaide, Australia, April 27-29, 2018.
• Burger EL, Shaw N, Erickson C, Yarger P, Yu Y, Baldini T, Kleck CJ, Patel VV, Payne KA. Blockade of Osteoclast-Mediated Bone Resorption with a RANKL Inhibitor Enhances Spinal Fusion in a Rat Model. Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Annual Meeting. Bologna, Italy, October 10-13, 2018.
• Kleck CJ, Noshchenko A, Cain CMJ, Burger EL, Patel VV. Evaluation of pelvic incidence (PI) constancy at different physiologic postures, and assessment of confounding factors that may affect stability of this parameter. Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Annual Meeting. Bologna, Italy, October 10-13, 2018.
• Burger EL, Raabe T, Passias P, Kleck C, Protopsaltis T, Patient-specific Rods Show a Reduction in Rod Breakage Incidence. ISDS Abstract Submission, 2018
• Rodriguez-Fontan F, Reeves B, Noshchenko A, Ou-Yang D, Kleck CJ, Cain CMJ, Burger EL, Patel VV. Strap Stabilization Use in Posterior Instrumented Spinal Fusion for Proximal Junctional Kyphosis Prevention: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Annual Meeting of ORS 2018. New Orleans, Louisiana, March 10-13, 2018.
• Fiere V, D’Astorg H, Szadkowski M, Burger EL. Are Patient-Specific Rods Effective to Manage Adult Spinal Deformity? Annual Meeting of EUROSPINE. Barcelona, Spain, September 19-21, 2018
• 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
• 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] 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
• 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
• 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
• 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.
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Burger E, Ghanayem A, Mulcahey MK. AOA Critical Issues: Promoting Leadership Development Among Orthopaedic Faculty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2024 Apr 1. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 38557798
• Burger E, Felan N: “Future Directions for Navigation in Spine Surgery” Chapter 18 in Navigation, Robotics and 3D Printing in Spine Surgery, Springer-Verlag GmbH, 2024, ISBN: 978-3-031-68677-1.
• Kleck CJ, Burger EL, et.al. “Comprehensive Guide to Adult Spinal Deformity”, Cambridge Scholars Publishing Limited, United Kingdom, 2024,

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

Practice Locations

• University of Colorado Hospital
• Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Specialty Information

• Orthopedic Surgery of the Spine (1993)
• Orthopedics, Board Certification (2016)

• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Back Pain
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Neck Disorders and Injuries
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Fractures
• Surgery
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Spine Injuries
• Spinal Deformity
• Bones, Joints and Muscles