Spine Universe Editorial Board

He completed his pre-medical training at Cornell University before attending the Medical College of Virginia for medical school and residency. As a resident, he started the first spinal cord injury lab in the history of MCV. His research there included an award-winning project on the use of artificial blood products to treat spinal cord injury. He also served as an Adjunct Professor of Biology there teaching anatomy to nursing students.

Dr. Highsmith went on to join the faculty at Emory University where he completed a complex spine fellowship. He is currently working on the development of new instrumentation to treat spinal pathologies. His research interests include dynamic stabilization, complex spine, radiosurgery, and trauma.

Financial Disclosure:
Speakers Bureau: Boston Scientific, Globus Medical

Spinal Case Studies From Jason M. Highsmith, MD

• Postsurgical Radicular and Neuropathic Pain
  Previous surgery relieved the patient's left leg pain but, postoperatively, he experienced new right leg pain described as radicular and electric in nature.
• Burst Fracture in a 79-Year-old Male: How would you treat?
  This case is about a 79-year-old man whose fall caused an L1 burst fracture. Case details, treatment, and discussion included.
• Cervical Pseudoarthrosis and Adjacent Level Disease
  This 70 year-old female presented reporting increasing neck and periscapular pain over several years. The patient underwent a C5-C7 ACDF 11 years earlier. Her pain intensified and radiated...
• Pseudofusion Dilemma
  A 53-year-old, nonsmoking woman came to the clinic with increasing back and right leg pain despite undergoing an L4-S1 Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) and lateral mass fusion with...
• Spinal Stenosis – Unresponsive to Nonoperative Treatment
  A 65-year old male with multiple medical problems reports a long history of low back and leg pain with difficulty walking upright, especially during the last several months.

SpineUniverse articles from Jason M. Highsmith, MD

• Dynamic Stabilization's Use in Treating Low Back (Lumbar) Disorders
  A discussion about when dynamic stabilization is indicated and the types of devices.
• I Have a Spinal Fracture—Is Rest Enough?
  You may think bracing and rest are enough to fully heal your injury, but spinal fractures warrant a visit to a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine specialist. Even with a brace, these fractures can progress and cause further damage.
• Lumbar (Low Back) Dynamic Stabilization - A Patient's Guide
  Dynamic stabilization uses flexible materials to stabilize the spine if affected by degenerative changes.
• MRI vs. Myelogram
  There are several advantages to having a myelogram to help diagnose your back pain, in addition to an MRI scan. But myelograms are not flawless diagnostic tests. Article describes both the benefits and drawbacks of myelograms.
• Spinal Cord Injury Treatments
  Spinal cord injury (SCI) is made up of two parts: the primary and secondary injury. A neurosurgeon explains what happens to the spine in both parts of SCI, and he reviews current treatment methods and research on developing treatments.
• The Pros and Cons of Spinal Fusion Surgery
  If you are having surgery to treat your back and/or neck pain, you will most likely have decompression surgery. But in some cases, a fusion is also necessary. Having both surgeries presents advantages and drawbacks, and mobility issues also arise.
• What is a Foraminotomy?
  Sometimes, when you talk to your doctor, you end up more confused because of the big words. A neurosurgeon breaks down a foraminotomy, a surgical procedure for back or neck pain. He makes it easy to understand what will happen during the surgery.