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Muhammad Abd-El-Barr

Professor of Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery

Overview


As a Neurosurgeon with fellowship training in Spine Surgery, I have dedicated my professional life to treating patients with spine disorders. These include spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis, herniated discs and spine tumors. I incorporate minimally-invasive spine (MIS) techniques whenever appropriate to minimize pain and length of stay, yet not compromise on achieving the goals of surgery, which is ultimately to get you back to the quality of life you once enjoyed. I was drawn to medicine and neurosurgery for the unique ability to incorporate the latest in technology and neuroscience to making patients better. I will treat you and your loved ones with the same kind of care I would want my loved ones to be treated with. In addition to my clinical practice, I will be working with Duke Bioengineers and Neurobiologists on important basic and translational questions surrounding spinal cord injuries (SCI), which we hope to bring to clinical relevance.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Neurosurgery · 2024 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery
Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics · 2022 - Present Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Science Departments

In the News


Published September 18, 2020
Awake for Spinal Surgery

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Recent Publications


Assessing the Utility and Challenges of Machine Learning in Spinal Deformity Management: A Systematic Review.

Journal Article Spine (Phila Pa 1976) · February 13, 2025 STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVE: To review the application of machine learning (ML) in scoliosis management, while addressing the limitations and challenges in implementing ML in scoliosis practice. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: ML has revolutioni ... Full text Link to item Cite

Machine learning in the diagnosis, management, and care of patients with low back pain: a scoping review of the literature and future directions.

Journal Article Spine J · January 2025 BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Low back pain (LBP) remains the leading cause of disability globally. In recent years, machine learning (ML) has emerged as a potentially useful tool to aid the diagnosis, management, and prognostication of LBP. PURPOSE: In this review, ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Proximal Lumbar Anterior Column Realignment for Iatrogenic Sagittal Plane Adult Spinal Deformity Correction: A Retrospective Case Series.

Journal Article World Neurosurg · January 2025 BACKGROUND: Anterior column realignment (ACR) is a powerful minimally invasive surgery technique to restore sagittal alignment in adult spinal deformity (ASD). This can accomplish similar segmental lordosis restoration as 3-column osteotomy with less blood ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


2024 NACTN Registry

Clinical TrialCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation · 2024 - 2025

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Education, Training & Certifications


Baylor, College of Medicine · 2009 MD./PhD.
University of Texas, Austin · 2002 M.S.
University of Toronto (Canada) · 2000 B.A.Sc.