Nolan Wessell, MD

Professional Titles

• Assistant Professor
• Co-Director of Orthopedic Well-Being
• Board Member - Colorado Orthopedic Society
• Board Member - Mile High Area American Red Cross

Recognitions

• CU Medicine Alumni Hero, CU Medicine Alumni Association (2025)
• CU Medicine Alumni Hero, CU Medicine Alumni Association (2024)
• Young Surgeon Grant Award, International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (2021)
• Top Doctors Award - Orthopedic Surgeon, Colorado Magazine (2021)
• Nominee - Resident of the Year, Henry Ford Health System (2017)
• Nominee - Resident Leadership Forum, American Orthopaedic Association (2016)
• Best Research Paper Award, Michigan Orthopaedic Society (2016)
• 2nd Place - Medical Education Research Symposium, Henry Ford Health System (2016)
• Educational Grant Recipient, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (2016)
• 1st Place - Resident Research Symposium, Detroit Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2015)
• 3rd Place - Resident Research Symposium, Detroit Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (2015)
• 3rd Place - Medical Education Research Symposium, Henry Ford Health System (2015)
• Edward D. Henderson, MD - Physician-In-Training Research Award, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association (2014)
• O.B. Weed Scholarship, Wayne State University School of Medicine (2012)
• Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha (2011)
• Year III - Comprehensive Honors, Wayne State University School of Medicine (2011)
• Prentis Foundation Medical Scholarship, Wayne State University School of Medicine (2010)
• Year I - Comprehensive Honors, Wayne State University School of Medicine (2009)
• Iber Health Education Scholarship, Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin (2009)
• Dean's List, University of Wisconsin - Madison (2005)
• William F. Vilas Scholarship, University of Wisconsin - Madison (2003)

Research Interests

Pre- and post-operative pain management; Complex cervical spine surgery; Healthcare efficiency

Publications

• Wessell NM, Krieg B, Damioli L, Kleck CJ. Atypical Mycobacterial Infections of the Spine: Evaluation and Management. Orthopedics. 2024 Mar-Apr;47(2):e61-e66. PubMed PMID: 38285551
• 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
• 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
• Wessell NM, Wolverton E, Ross P, Akiyama M, Lindley E, Patel V. Opioid Prescription Monitoring in Preoperative and Postoperative Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Patients. Int J Spine Surg. 2022 Jun;16(3):498-504. PubMed PMID: 35772975
• 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
• 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
• Wessell NM, Wolverton E, Ross P, Akiyama M, Lindley E, Patel V. Opioid Prescription Monitoring in Preoperative and Postoperative Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Patients. Int J Spine Surg. 2022 Jun;16(3):498-504. PubMed PMID: 35772975
• 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
• 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
• Welton L, Krieg B, Trivedi D, Netsanet R, Wessell N, Noshchenko A, Patel V. Comparison of Adverse Outcomes Following Placement of Superion Interspinous Spacer Device Versus Laminectomy and Laminotomy. Int J Spine Surg. 2021 Feb;15(1):153-160. PubMed PMID: 33900969
• Welton L, Krieg B, Trivedi D, Netsanet R, Wessell N, Noshchenko A, Patel V. Comparison of Adverse Outcomes Following Placement of Superion Interspinous Spacer Device Versus Laminectomy and Laminotomy. Int J Spine Surg. 2021 Feb;15(1):153-160. PubMed PMID: 33900969
• 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
• Ou-Yang D, Moldavsky M, Wessell N, Brooks DM, Titanti M, Matheis EA, Bucklen BS, Patel V. Evaluation of Spinous Process Tethering at the Proximal End of Rigid Constructs: In Vitro Range of Motion and Intradiscal Pressure at Instrumented and Adjacent Levels. Int J Spine Surg. 2020 Aug;14(4):571-579. PubMed PMID: 32986580
• 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
• Frisch NB, Wessell N, Jildeh TR, Greenstein A, Trent Guthrie S. Early-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease and Hip Fracture Mortality. J Surg Orthop Adv. Fall 2018;27(3):226-230. PMID: 30489248
• Frisch NB, Wessell N, Charters M, Greenstein A, Shaw J, Peterson E, Trent Guthrie S. Hip Fracture Mortality: Differences Between Intertrochanteric and Femoral Neck Fractures. J Surg Orthop Adv. Spring 2018;27(1):64-71. PubMed PMID: 29762119
• Wessell NM, Martus JE, Halanski MA, Snyder B, Truong W. What's New in Pediatric Spine Growth Modulation and Implant Technology for Early-Onset Scoliosis?. J Pediatr Orthop. 2018 Jan;38(1):e3-e13. PubMed PMID: 27403917
• Frisch NB, Wessell NM, Taliaferro K, Van Holsbeeck M, Silverton CD. Ultrasound findings in asymptomatic patients with modular metal on metal total hip arthroplasty. Skeletal Radiol. 2017 May;46(5):641-649. PubMed PMID: 28204856
• Frisch N, Wessell NM, Charters M, Peterson E, Cann B, Greenstein A, Silverton CD. Effect of Body Mass Index on Blood Transfusion in Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty. Orthopedics. 2016 Sep 1;39(5):e844-9. PubMed PMID: 27172370
• Wessell N, Khalil J, Zavatsky J, Ghacham W, Bartol S. Verification of nerve decompression using mechanomyography. Spine J. 2016 Jun;16(6):679-86. PubMed PMID: 26940191
• Charters MA, Frisch NB, Wessell NM, Dobson C, Les CM, Silverton CD. Rivaroxaban Versus Enoxaparin for Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis after Hip and Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2015 Jul;30(7):1277-80. PubMed PMID: 25724111
• Frisch NB, Wessell NM, Charters MA, Yu S, Jeffries JJ, Silverton CD. Predictors and complications of blood transfusion in total hip and knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2014 Sep;29(9 Suppl):189-92. PubMed PMID: 25007727
• Stockwell PJ, Wessell N, Reed DR, Kronenwetter-Koepel TA, Reed KD, Turchi TR, Meece JK. A field evaluation of four larval mosquito control methods in urban catch basins. J Am Mosq Control Assoc. 2006 Dec;22(4):666-71. PubMed PMID: 17304935

Professional Memberships

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Member
• North American Spine Society, Member
• American Orthopedic Association, Member
• Colorado Orthopedic Society, 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 Orthopedics - Highlands Ranch Specialty Care Center
1500 Park Central Drive
Suite 401
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
720-516-4087

UCHealth Orthopedics - Highlands Ranch Hospital
1500 Park Central Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80129
720-516-1000

Hospital Affiliation

• University of Colorado Hospital
• UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital

Specialty Information

Specialties

• Orthopedics, Board Certification (2022)
• Basic Cardiac Life Support, Certificate (2018)
• Colorado Medical License, License (2017)
• American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Board Certification (2022)

Conditions & Treatments

• Failed Prior Surgery
• Spine - Sacroiliac Joint
• Spine
• Spine - Cervical disc herniation
• Spine - Cervical spinal stenosis
• Spine - Degenerative Disc Disease
• Spine - Degenerative Scoliosis
• Spine - Lumbar disc herniation
• Spine - Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Spine - Myelopathy
• Spine - Radiculopathy
• Spine - Sciatica
• Spine - Slipped Disc
• Spine - Spondylolisthesis
• Spine - Spondylolysis
• Spine - Annular Tears/Fissures
• Spine - Back Pain
• Spine - Bulging Discs
• Spine - Cervicalgia (Neck Pain)
• Spine - Cervical Myelopathy
• Spine - Degenerative back conditions
• Spine - Degenerative neck conditions
• Spine - Disc Extrusions
• Spine - Disc Prolapse
• Spine - Disc Protrusions
• Spine - Facet Arthropathy
• Spine - Herniated Discs (HNP)
• Spine - Intervertebral Disc Disorder
• Spine - Low-back Pain
• Spine - Neurogenic Claudication
• Spine - Osteoporosis and compression fractures
• Spine - Piriformis syndrome
• Spine - Post-laminectomy Syndrome
• Spine - Sacroiliitis
• Spine - Sacrum and coccyx (tailbone) injuries
• Spine - Spondylolysis (pars defects and fractures)
• Spine - Synovial cyst
• Spine - Sports-related neck and back injuries
• Spine - Thoracic Pain
• Spine - Whiplash
• Spine - Spinal Stenosis
• Spine - Ruptured Discs
• Spine - Back Sprain Injuries