The Spine Center at University of Colorado Hospital specializes in treating people with back and neck pain using proven therapies and the latest technologies.
Whether a patient needs physical therapy, medication, spinal injections, surgery, or any combination of these treatments, our skilled spine and back doctors and staff focus on making our patients feel better, happier and healthier in the safest manner possible.
We use a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach among orthopaedic surgeons, physiatrists, physical/occupational therapists, psychologists, integrative medicine, and anesthesiologists.
As the sole academic medical center in the region, the Spine Center is the only provider in the Front Range to take such a comprehensive approach to spine and neck care. In fact, because of our high levels of experience, we are regularly asked to evaluate cases as a second opinion.
So, whether you need an initial diagnosis or would simply like to double check an existing one, the Spine Center at the University of Colorado is here to help you.
Venu Akuthota, MD
Venu Akuthota, MD, is an Associate Professor and Pain Fellowship Director of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado Denver. He is triple-board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine and Electrodiagnostic medicine. He is expert in the aggressive non-surgical management of low back and neck injuries through sports medicine and injection techniques. Currently Dr. Akuthota serves as a team physician for the University of Colorado Buffaloes and the University of Denver Pioneers.
Rachel Brakke, MD
Rachel Brakke, MD, specializes in the non-operative management of sports and musculoskeletal injuries as well as back and neck pain including interventional spine procedures and electrodiagnostic testing. Dr. Brakke has several areas of clinical and research interest including: core strengthening, spine care, the aging athlete, high altitude cerebral edema, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and sports injuries. As a collegiate level cross-country runner and softball pitcher, she has a strong personal and academic interest in sports.
Evalina Burger, MD
Evalina Burger, MD, is a South-African trained spine surgeon, specializing in adult deformity and reconstruction. She was the first female spine surgeon to be selected for the prestigious ABC fellowship in 2000. Dr. Burger has a vast experience in comprehensive spine care including pain management, tumors and infection and is well versed in traumatic conditions of the spine.
Christopher Cain, MD
Dr. Cain’s practice covers all aspects of spinal disease, including the management of adult degenerative disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, pediatric deformity, and both adult and pediatric trauma and tumors. His principle interest remains the management of complex spinal deformity and reconstruction. Dr. Cain was elected as President of the Australian Medical Association of South Australia and served as a specialist medical advisor to the Minister for Health and Chief Executive, Department of Health of South Australia.
Heather Ene, MD
Heather Ene, MD, is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Dr. Ene's clinical interests include musculoskeletal disorders, neurological rehabilitation and chronic pain.
Michael Finn, MD
Michael Finn, MD, is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver and an orthopedic surgeon. He completed his fellowship in orthopedic spine surgery at the University of Wisconsin.
Scott Laker, MD
Scott Laker, MD, treats a broad range of non-surgical sports and spine conditions including sports-related concussion, sports injuries, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, herniated discs, and radiculopathy. He is trained in the use of spinal injections, peripheral joint injection therapy, and EMG/NCS. Dr. Laker works with patients to create individualized treatment plans to help them reach their goals, whether it be recovery from injury, maintenance of chronic conditions, or overall performance improvement.
Vikas Patel, MD
Vikas Patel, MD, serves as the chief of orthopaedic spine surgery at the University of Colorado Denver. He worked as an engineer before earning a combined master's of arts and medical degree at Washington University. Dr. Patel currently focuses on spinal non-fusion technologies, including disc replacement, dynamic stabilization, alternative bone graft materials for fusion, minimally invasive surgical techniques and computer-assisted surgery. He has extensive clinical and surgical experience with cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal disorders.
Joshua Seinfeld, MD
Joshua Seinfeld, MD specializes in endovascular and surgical treatment of cerebrovascular disorders, endovascular treatment of acute stroke, carotid artery disease and minimally invasive approaches to disorders of the spine. He is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine.
William Sullivan, MD
William Sullivan, MD, is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and pain management. He currently serves as the medical student elective director and Spine Center co-fellowship director at the University of Colorado Denver. Dr. Sullivan has trained numerous fellows in sports medicine and spine care techniques, including spinal injections. His clinical interests are sports rehabilitation, evaluation and treatment of neck and lower back pain, spinal injections and electrodiagnostic medicine.
Peter Witt, MD
Peter Witt, MD, is the director of the Neuro Spine program in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Colorado Denver. Dr. Witt was chief of Neurosurgery and the Trauma Spine co-director at Denver Health Medical Center before joining University of Colorado Hospital. His clinical interests include degenerative and traumatic spinal disorders, spinal tumors, syringomyelia, craniocervical junction disorders, peripheral nerve surgery, neurotrauma and neuro critical care.