Spine Universe Author Biography

Dr. Thomas Lowe was Clinical Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Colorado Medical School as well as Co-Director of the Spine Fellowship Program at the university's Health Sciences Center. He was also Co-Director of the Spine Clinic at Denver General Hospital. His hospital appointments included the Children's Hospital Scoliosis Clinic and Denver General Hospital.

Following a Medical Degree from Northwestern University Medical School, Dr. Lowe was an intern at Hennepin County General Hospital in Minnesota. His residency in Orthopaedic Surgery was at the Veterans Administration Hospital in association with the University of Minnesota Hospitals. Additionally, Dr. Lowe served in the military as Battalion and Brigade Surgeon of the 3rd Armored Division in West Germany. In 1972, the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery certified Dr. Lowe.

During his medical training and career, Dr. Lowe received numerous awards such as the Russell Hibbs Award for best research paper from the Scoliosis Research Society and the Outstanding Clinical Faculty Award from the University of Colorado Medical School.

Dr. Lowe was an active member serving on many committees of professional organizations including: Scoliosis Research Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, Academic Orthopaedic Society, and the American Orthopaedic Association. He published peer-reviewed journal articles, contributed chapters to medical textbooks, and written reviews.

He published research in abstracts, instructed and lectured at numerous international courses, and presented many scientific papers and exhibits. Dr. Lowe was a member of several think tanks for major medical product developers, and a recipient of research grants.

SpineUniverse articles from Thomas G. Lowe, M.D.

• 360 Degree And Posterior Spinal Fusion Segmental Biomechanics: A Cadaveric Model
  Data suggests that an anterior interbody fusion with a posterior pedicle screw construct does increase the adjacent segment motion in a cadaveric model.
• An Analysis of Anterior versus Posterior Instrumented Fusion for Thoracic Adolescent Idiopathic (AIS)Curves 70-80 Degrees: Are There Advantages of One Over the Other?
  An abstract from the SRS 2004 Annual Meeting on anterior versus posterior fusion for AIS.
• Back Pain and Degenerative Disc Disease: Are Artificial Discs the Solution?
  Surgeons are excited about a new technology that could significantly help patients with degenerative disc disease. Learn why an artificial disc may be a better solution than lumbar fusion and how it could relieve pain caused by disc disease.
• Degenerative Disc Disease and Low Back Pain
  Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a gradual wear and tear process on the spine. DDD is relatively common because it’s a natural part of aging. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, and the condition doesn’t always require treatment.
• Degenerative Disc Disease: Treatment Beyond Six Weeks
  Cervical or lumbar degenerative disc disease is common in aging adults. Although few patients require surgery, what should patients expect during the first 6 weeks of treatment? If symptoms last longer, what else should spine patients know?
• Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine
  Low back and leg pain are common symptoms of degenerative spondylolisthesis. This article covers non-surgical treatments, including exercise, bracing, and medications. It also discusses surgery, although few patients will require that.
• Distal Junctional Kyphosis (DJK) Adolescent Idiopathic Thoracic Curves Following Anterior or Posterior Instrumented Fusion: Incidence, Risk Factors and Prevention
  An abstract from the SRS 2004 Annual Meeting on the incidence of distal junctional kyphosis pre and postoperatively in AIS patients.
• Enfermedad Degenerativa de Disco y Dolor de la Espalda Baja
  La Enfermedad Degenerativa de Disco (EDD) es un proceso gradual que puede poner en peligro a la columna.
• Kyphosis and Scheuermann's Disease
  Scheuermann's disease is a type of kyphosis that occurs when healthy vertebral become wedge shaped.
• Kyphosis: Questions/Answers - Part 2
  Kyphosis is a type of abnormal curve of the spine. Find out how the doctor finds and treats this type of back disorder.
• Kyphosis: What is it? - Part 1
  People with kyphosis appear to have a hump on their back.
• Osteoporosis Overview
  Osteoporosis is the silent bone thinning disease affecting both men and women. This complete article, by Thomas Lowe, MD will help you to better understand this disorder.
• Osteoporosis Treatment and Pain Management
  Osteoporosis can be pain and there are many options available to patients from pain maangement specialists.
• Osteoporosis: Risks and Diagnostic Steps
  Although osteoporosis cannot be cured, early diagnosis is important to halting disease progression.
• Selective Anterior or Posterior Thoracic Fusions in Lenke 1 Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis with Lumbar Curves Greater than Forty Degrees
  An abstract from the 2002 SRS Annual Meeting evaluating the outcome of selective anterior or posterior thoracic fusion in type 1 Lenke curves.
• The Surgical Treatment of Double Thoracic Curves in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis – Factors Involved in the Decision to Perform a Selective Fusion of the Main Thoracic Curve Versus a Posterior Fusion
  An abstract from the SRS 2005 Annual Meeting designed to analyze factors involved in the decision to perform selective ASF versus nonselective PSF of double thoracic curves in AIS.
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine
  SRS Core Curriculum treatment degenerative disc disease spondylolisthesis lumbar spine Bibliography
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Combinations
  Dr. Thomas G. Lowe, SRS Core Curriculum; Treatment of Dgenerative Disc Disease and Degnerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine. Review Combined Anterior Interbody Fusion and Posterolateral Fusion.
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Figure 1 a-b
  Figures 1a-b of the article entitled - Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine.
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Figure Legends
  Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Figures 2 a-e
  Figures 2a-e of article entitled - Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine.
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Figures 3 a-f
  Figures 3 a-f of article entitled - Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine.
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Figures 4 a-e
  Figures 4a-e of article entitled - Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine .
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Fusion
  Dr. Thomas G. Lowe, SRS Core Curriculum; Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine. Review Spinal Fusion for Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis.
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Illustrations
  Dr. Thomas G. Lowe, SRS Core Curriculum; Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine. Review Fusion Techniques for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis and Degenerative Disc Disease.
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Low Back Pain
  Dr. Thomas G. Lowe, SRS Core Curriculum; Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine. Review the recommended non-operative treatment program for low back pain secondary to degenerative disc disease.
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Lumbar Disc Hernations, Primarily Radicular Pain
  Dr. Thomas G. Lowe, SRS Core Curriculum; Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine. Review the Non-Operative Treatment of the Lumbar Disc Herninations with Primarily Radicular Pain.
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Non Operative Treatment
  Dr. Thomas G. Lowe, SRS Core Curriculum; Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine. Review Non-operative treatment of degenerative disorders of the lumar spine.
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Surgical
  Dr. Thomas G. Lowe, SRS Core Curriuculum;Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine. Review the Surgical Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation.
• Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine - Techniques
  Dr. Thomas G. Lowe, SRS Core Curriculum; Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease and Degenerative Spondylolisthesis of the Lumbar Spine. Review Fusion Techniques using Posterior Lumbar Internode Fusion (PLIF, TLIF).
• Treatment of Kyphosis and Scheuermann's Disease
  Treatments for kyphosis and Scheuermann’s disease differ depending on the patient’s age, curve magnitude, and co-existing medical problems. A surgeon answers the most common related to these disorders that cause abnormal spinal curves.
• Validation of the SRS Adult Deformity Radiographic Classfiication
  The adult with spinal deformity presents with clinical symptoms and radiographic findings that are distinct from the adolescent with spinal deformity.