Nathaniel Schaffer, MD

Professional Titles

• Chief of Trauma

Recognitions

• Henry Hanff Fellowship, AO Trauma North America (2023)
• Davos Fellows Experience, AO Trauma North America (2022)
• Emerging Leader, American Orthopaedic Association (2022)

Research Interests

Publications

• Godinho M, Serra M, Solano AJ, Nardi M, Krieg BA, Tucker NJ, Hellwinkel JE, Schlauch A, Schaffer NE, Mauffrey C. Avoiding pitfalls in percutaneous acetabular column screw placement using combined fluoroscopic check-point views: a technical note and case series. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2026 Aug 28;36(1). PubMed PMID: 42663695
• Schlauch AM, Zakusylo A, Schaffer N, Mauffrey C, Hellwinkel JE, Ricci WM. Is the use of retrospectively collected radiographic scores an accurate method to determine time to union? A retrospective clinical cohort. J Orthop Trauma. 2026 Jul 16. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 42468537
• Kumar DS, Luther L, Traven SA, Schaffer NE, Litten RM, Moore RS, Moreno-Diaz AF, Velasco-Castro J, Max- son R, Sumpter AE, Sethi MK, Agarwal A, Boyce RH, Collinge CA, Evans JM, Jahangir AA, Johnson JP, Mir HR, Perdue AM, Quade JH, Spitler CA, Stinner DJ, Tatman LM, and Mitchell PM. Is Surgeon Technique a Modifiable Risk Factor for Heterotopic Ossification? A Multi-Surgeon Study. Poster. Orthopaedic Trauma As- sociation Annual Meeting (Nashville, TN). 2026.
• Luther L, Kumar D, Traven SA, Schaffer NE, Litten RM, Moore RS, Moreno-Diaz AF, Velasco-Castro J, Maxson R, Sumpter AE, Agarwal A, Boyce RH, Collinge CA, Evans JM, Jahangir AA, Johnson JP, Mir HR, Perdue AM, Quade JH, Sethi MK, Spitler CA, Stinner DJ, Tatman LM, and Mitchell PM. Severe Heterotopic Ossification After Posterior Acetabular Fixation Is Rare and Predictable: An Analysis of 1288 Cases Without Prophylaxis. Podium. Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting (Nashville, TN). 2026.
• Schaffer NE, Albotabeekh M, Baral A, McClelland W, Padilla K, Simske NM, Tyler AF, and Yong TM. Charac- terizing the Landscape of Vendor-Surgeon Relationships in Orthopaedic Trauma. Poster. Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting (Nashville, TN). 2026.
• Schaffer NE, Whiting PS, Gary JL, Weaver MJ, Carroll EA, Kleweno CP, Teague DC, Bosse MJ, Castillo RC, O’Toole RV, Ahn J, and Consortium METR. Justifying Large Samples for Randomized Trials in Orthopaedic Trauma. Poster. Orthopaedic Trauma Association Annual Meeting (Nashville, TN). 2026.
• Schaffer NE. CORR Insights®: Does Transhumeral Osseointegration After Amputation Improve Patient-reported Outcomes and Prosthesis Use?. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2025 Mar 13;483(8):1511-1513. PubMed PMID: 40106388
• Gilbert WB, Moreno-Diaz AF, Maxson R, Morris CA, Rodriguez-Baron E, Yong TM, Schaffer NE, Obremskey WT, Mitchell PM. Comparison of the RFN-advanced femoral nailing system versus locked lateral plating in the management of distal femur fractures: A matched-cohort analysis. Injury. 2025 Aug;56(8):112442. PubMed PMID: 40446568
• Gilbert WB, Moreno-Diaz AF, Maxson R, Morris CA, Rodriguez-Baron E, Yong TM, Schaffer NE, Obremskey WT, Mitchell PM. Comparison of the RFN-advanced femoral nailing system versus locked lateral plating in the management of distal femur fractures: A matched-cohort analysis. Injury. 2025 Aug;56(8):112442. PubMed PMID: 40446568
• Mika AP, Maxson R, Moreno-Diaz AF, Ponce RB, Wrenn SP, Morris CA, Savakus JC, Yeager M, Coscia A, Johnson L, Schaffer N, Pennings JS, Maki CA, Hake M, Johnson JP, Mitchell PM. Femur Fractures Distal to Long and Short Cephalomedullary Nails: A Comparative Multicenter Study. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2025 Nov 1;33(21):1219-1227. PubMed PMID: 40403191
• Schaffer NE. CORR Insights®: Does Transhumeral Osseointegration After Amputation Improve Patient-reported Outcomes and Prosthesis Use?. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2025 Mar 13;483(8):1511-1513. PubMed PMID: 40106388
• Schaffer NE, Luther L, Tatman LM, Mitchell PM. Femoral Head Fractures: Evaluation, Management, and Outcomes. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2024 Oct 15;32(20):929-937. PubMed PMID: 38968607
• Schaffer NE, Luther L, Ponce RB, Wrenn SP, Cave JR, Moreno-Diaz AF, Morris CA, Tatman LM, Mitchell PM. Iatrogenic Sciatic Nerve Injury in Posterior Acetabular Surgery: Surgeon More Predictive Than Position. J Orthop Trauma. 2024 Sep 1;38(9):477-483. PubMed PMID: 39150298

Professional Memberships

• American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, Member
• Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Member
• American Orthopaedic Association, Member

Practice Locations

• Denver Health Medical Center

Specialty Information

• Bones, Joints and Muscles
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Fractures
• Limb Restoration
• Deformities and Limb Lengthening
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Shoulder Injuries and Disorders
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Lower Leg, Ankle, and, Foot Trauma and Fracture Care
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Ligament and Cartilage Injuries
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Leg Injuries and Disorders
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Knee Injuries and Disorders
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Hip Injuries and Disorders
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - General Orthopedic Trauma and Fracture Care
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Foot and Ankle Sports Injuries
• Bones, Joints and Muscles - Bone Infections
• Surgery - Leg injuries and disorders
• Surgery
• Surgery - Limb Salvage
• Surgery - Free flaps and limb salvage
• Surgery - Trauma and Acute Care