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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


Prevalence and Prognosis of Coronal Malalignment Following Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Adult Spinal Deformity.

Journal Article Spine (Phila Pa 1976) · March 15, 2026 STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospective multicenter adult spinal deformity (ASD) database. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and prognosis of postoperative coronal malalignment following LLIF for ASD with Qiu type A coronal alignment. SUMM ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Comparative Analysis of Biological Aging and Inflammatory Profiles in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients Between Japan and the United States: A Correlative Study.

Journal Article Spine (Phila Pa 1976) · March 1, 2026 STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective matched cohort study. OBJECTIVE: Understanding biological aging in adult spinal deformity (ASD) across different populations offers insights into its impact on aging and potential interventions. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: ASD s ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Self-Image in Adult Spinal Deformity: The Critical Link Between Baseline Disability, Treatment Choice, and Surgical Satisfaction.

Journal Article Spine (Phila Pa 1976) · March 1, 2026 STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter analysis. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the impact that self-image has upon operative versus nonoperative treatment choice for adult spine deformity (ASD) patients, and evaluate the association of post-treatment self-image with ... 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

2025 NACTN Registry

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation · 2024 - 2026

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Education


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