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Christopher Ignatius Shaffrey

Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Orthopaedic Surgery
DUMC Box 3077, Durham, NC 27710
DUMC Box 3077, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


I have more than 25 years of experience treating patients of all ages with spinal disorders. I have had an interest in the management of spinal disorders since starting my medical education. I performed residencies in both orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery to gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire range of spinal disorders. My goal has been to find innovative ways to manage the range of spinal conditions, straightforward to complex. I have a focus on managing patients with complex spinal disorders. My patient evaluation and management philosophy is to provide engaged, compassionate care that focuses on providing the simplest and least aggressive treatment option for a particular condition. In many cases, non-operative treatment options exist to improve a patient’s symptoms. I have been actively engaged in clinical research to find the best ways to manage spinal disorders in order to achieve better results with fewer complications.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery · 2019 - Present Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Neurosurgery · 2019 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery

Recent Publications


Assessment of age-related variation in cervical neuroforaminal dimensions.

Journal Article J Clin Neurosci · April 2025 Radiographic parameters for diagnosing cervical neuroforaminal stenosis (CNFS) are not well described. To develop definitive criteria for diagnosis of CNFS, a standardized baseline of average neuroforaminal dimensions must first be established. Thus, the a ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Impact of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols on Outcomes Up to Two Years After Adult Structural Spine Disorder Surgery.

Journal Article Spine (Phila Pa 1976) · March 15, 2025 STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of prospectively enrolled database. OBJECTIVE: We analyze the recovery pattern of patients with adult structural spine disorder (ASD) who underwent corrective surgery with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS+) pro ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Antibiotic Use in Adult Spine Deformity Surgery: Results From the AO Spine Surveillance of the Management of Patients With Adult Spine Deformity.

Journal Article Global Spine J · March 2025 STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional international survey with literature review. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the evidence for these strategies and to understand the current trends in prophylactic antibiotic use during ASD surgery through an international survey. MET ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Multicenter Prospective Evaluation of Complex Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery (CADS)

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by International Spine Study Group Foundation · 2019 - 2030

PCD2: Prospective Radiographic and Clinical Evaluation of Surgical Treatment for Cervical Deformity: A Multi-Center Study 2.0

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by International Spine Study Group Foundation · 2019 - 2029

2024 NACTN Registry

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

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Virginia, School of Medicine · 1986 M.D.