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Oren N Gottfried

Professor of Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery
Box 3807, Durham, NC 27710
200 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


I specialize in the surgical management of all complex cervical, thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spinal diseases by using minimally invasive as well as standard approaches for arthritis or degenerative disease, deformity, tumors, and trauma. I have a special interest in the treatment of thoracolumbar deformities, occipital-cervical problems, and in helping patients with complex spinal issues from previously unsuccessful surgery or recurrent disease.I listen to my patients to understand their symptoms and experiences so I can provide them with the information and education they need to manage their disease. I make sure my patients understand their treatment options, and what will work best for their individual condition. I treat all my patients with care and concern – just as I would treat my family. I am available to address my patients' concerns before and after surgery.  I aim to improve surgical outcomes for my patients and care of all spine patients with active research evaluating clinical and radiological results after spine surgery with multiple prospective databases. I am particularly interested in prevention of spinal deformity, infections, complications, and recurrent spinal disease. Also, I study whether patient specific variables including pelvic/sacral anatomy and sagittal spinal balance predict complications from spine surgery.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor of Neurosurgery · 2018 - Present Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery
Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery · 2018 - Present Orthopaedic Surgery, Clinical Science Departments

In the News


Published February 25, 2020
Patients Rank Doctors Lower if they Experience Long Delays in Waiting Rooms
Published May 23, 2019
Neurosurgeon by Day, TV Consultant by NIght
Published February 14, 2019
Neurosurgeon Helps Hollywood Keep It Real

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Recent Publications


Does smoking status affect baseline symptom severity and patient-reported outcomes and satisfaction in patients with cervical myelopathy at 24 months? A Quality Outcomes Database study.

Journal Article J Neurosurg Spine · May 1, 2025 OBJECTIVE: It is not clear whether smoking impacts patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). The aim of this study was to explore the impact of smoking status on baseline symptom severity and the rate of achie ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Urinary control in cervical myelopathy: does it improve postsurgery? A Quality Outcomes Database study.

Journal Article J Neurosurg Spine · May 1, 2025 OBJECTIVE: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) can be associated with urinary dysfunction, leading to an inability or marked difficulty with micturition. This study aimed to evaluate the urinary dysfunction, long-term prognosis, and recovery in patients ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Do Patients With High ASA Grades Benefit From CSM Surgery?: A Report From the Quality Outcomes Database.

Journal Article Clin Spine Surg · May 1, 2025 STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of prospectively collected data. OBJECTIVE: To assess if systemic illness severity affects cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) surgery outcomes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: It remains unclear if CSM patients with poor physical stat ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Human Fresh Tissue Lab Agreement

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by NuVasive, Inc. · 2020 - 2020

Peri-Operative Geriatric Co-care Reduces Complications and Improves Outcomes: A Single Institutional Prospective Cohort Study

FellowshipMentor · Awarded by AANS/CNS Section of Neurotrauma and Critical Care · 2015 - 2017

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Arizona · 2001 M.D.