DR. K. DANIEL RIEW
Leading Expert in Cervical Spine Surgery
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Columbia University, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery in Neurological Surgery in the Department of Neurological Surgery at Columbia University Medical College. Chief, Cervical Spine Surgery & Co-Director of Spine Fellowship, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Columbia University
DR. RIEW SPECIALIZES IN:
Cervical Spine Surgery
Minimally Invasive Cervical Microsurgery
Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement
Dr. Dan Riew is world renowned for cervical spine surgery, and is one of only 2 or 3 surgeons in the world whose practice is exclusively limited to the operative treatment of the cervical spine. He has performed over 6,000 cervical spine operations. Over the past 20 years, he has consistently been recognized in the lists of America’s Top Doctors, Best Doctors in America, Top 28 Spine Surgeons in North America, Top 18 Surgeons in North America, as well as New York SuperDoctors since he moved to New York in 2015. He has been listed as a Vitals Top 10 Doctor (top 1%, based on patient ratings and reviews). In an average week he gets 3-5 consultations from a spine surgeon somewhere in the world seeking his opinion on how to treat a complex cervical spine problem.
A doctor's doctor, hundreds of physicians and their immediate family members have been operated on by Dr. Riew, including numerous neurosurgical and orthopaedic spine surgeons, as well as Chairs and Emeritus Chairs of surgical and medical departments of leading medical centers. Patients have come to see him from Asia, Europe, South America, India, Australia, Middle East, as well as throughout the United States. He has treated family of heads of state, top-ranking government officials from various countries, corporate leaders, royalty, celebrities, professional athletes in baseball, football, hockey, UFC, olympic medalists and golfers.
His procedures range from minimally invasive microsurgical outpatient procedures to the most complex "chin-on-chest" or "ear-on-shoulder" deformities. He has a particular interest in cervical artificial disc replacements and other motion-sparing procedures such as laminoplasties.
In 2015, he was recruited to Columbia University as the Co-Chief, Spine Division, Director of Cervical Spine Surgery and Co-Director of the Columbia Spine Fellowship. Two years later, The Och Spine Hospital was born, with a generous gift from Dan and Jane Och. Och Spine has grown since then and now includes Neurosurgical spine surgeons from both Weill Cornell and Columbia Universities, as well as Orthopedic spine surgeons from Columbia University. As part of the expansion of the Och Spine Hospital to the Weill-Cornell campus, Dr. Riew joined the medical staff at Weill Cornell in the Neurosurgery Department. While he still remains a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia, he has a joint appointment in Neurosurgery at Weill Cornell and his practice is now located at the Weill Cornell Campus of New York Presbyterian Hospital.
HONORS AND AWARDS:
Dr. Riew is renowned for his extensive research on the cervical spine and has published hundreds of peer-reviewed papers and other manuscripts. He has received multiple outstanding research paper awards from the Cervical Spine Research Society and the North American Spine Society, as well as the Hibbs Outstanding paper award from the Scoliosis Research Society. His citations can be seen at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/K-Daniel-Riew
He was President of the Cervical Spine Research Society, the most prestigious society for cervical spine research from 2012-13. He served as the International Research Commission Chair (2012-15) of AOSpine International, the largest organization of spine surgeons in the world, and Chair of the International Board (2015-18). He is a member of the American Orthopaedic Association, the Interurban Orthopedic Club, and the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons, all honorary Orthopaedic societies. He serves as a Deputy or Associate Editor of the Global Spine Journal, Clinics in Orthopedic Surgery, European Spine Journal, Spine, Neurospine and Neurosurgery journals.
He has operated in several countries and has served as a visiting professor, grand rounds speaker, key or named lecturer over hundreds of times in more 20 countries on six continents. In an average year, he is asked to give 20-30 such lectures. He has served and has been the Director or Chair of over 35 surgical courses, including those sponsored by the Cervical Spine Research Society, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society and the Scoliosis Research Society.
Clinical Honors: He has been recognized in the lists of America’s Top Doctors and Best Doctors in America continuously since 2002 and New York SuperDoctors since moving to NY in 2015. He is also listed as a Vitals Top 10 Doctor (top 1%, based on patient ratings and reviews).
Orthopedics This Week Journal’s Top 28 Spine Surgeons in North America:
“He is an outstanding surgeon, teacher, and researcher. He is a leader in the cervical spine world, has done great research in this area, and has great vision. If someone says, ‘cervical spine surgery,’ you think of Dan.”
Top 18 Spine Surgeons in North America:
“A brilliant cervical spine surgeon, he has defined many of the techniques we are utilizing. He has lectured extensively nationally and internationally, improving the treatment of these disorders in other portions of the globe.”
What top spine surgeons from around the world say about Dr. Riew:
Yu Sun, MD, Head of Cervical Spine, Peking University Third Hospital in Beijing, China
“Dr. Riew is widely considered to be the top cervical spine surgeon in the world. He has greatly impacted the care and treatment of all kinds of cervical spine patients and has had a leading role in educating the next generation of both Orthopedic and Neurosurgical spine surgeons. He has also been sharing his experience with not only US spine surgeons but also spine surgeons worldwide. He is a globally well-known best surgeon and teacher.”
Roberto Chapa Sosa, MD, Ortopedia — Cirugía de Columna, Monterrey, N.L. México, Former Chair AOSpine North America
“There is no doubt that Dan Riew, MD is the best cervical spine surgeon there is currently. Besides being a great friend, he has a great devotion to share his knowledge through a variety of educational activities around the world for the benefit of a lot of surgeons and patients.”
Jin S. Yeom, MD, PhD, Professor and Chairman, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, President, Cervical Spine Research Society Asia Pacific Section
“Professor Riew is by far the best cervical spine surgeon in the world and defies all comparison in the surgical management of cervical spine disorders. He has an extremely high reputation even in European and Asian countries and has been invited to educate cervical spine surgeons in these areas several hundred times. He does not have only unbelievable surgical skills like “God’s hands” and admirably innovative academic ideas, but also a wonderful personality. He is the one and only surgeon who I would let operate on my neck, should I need cervical spine surgery.”
A. J. Vlok MD, Consultant Neurosurgeon and Head of Department Neurosurgery, University of Stellenbosch and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, South Africa
“Professor Riew is considered one of the foremost cervical spinal surgeons across the globe, with his surgical skill and expertise only exceeded by his pleasant disposition. No complicated cervical spine case is complete without his highly valued advice.”
Gaurav Raj Dhakal, MD, Spine Surgeon, Nepal
“A teacher with an in depth knowledge in his field, a mentor always ready to guide and motivate, a surgeon with excellent skills and finesse and, above all, a human I would want to emulate! Having travelled and visited surgeons across the globe, I feel that, in the domain of cervical spine, Dr. Riew is the authority!”
Abdulaziz Alkuwari, MD, Consultant Spine Surgeon, Hamad Medical Corp.
“Dr. Dan Riew is a great teacher, whose contribution to spine surgery in the Middle East is enormous. We had the honor to host him in our spine meeting in Qatar. He is very humble and provides excellent care and support to his patients and his team, as well as surgeons all over the world.”
Abdulrazzaq Alobaid, MD, Cheif of Spine Surgery-Alrazi Hosp, Chairman of Kuwait Orthopedic Society, Chairman of Kuwait Spine Society
“Dr. Riew is considered among the top cervical spine surgeons in the world. His contributions exceed patient care into teaching other surgeons modern cervical spine surgery. I would trust him not only with my patient, but also with me, should I require cervical surgery.”
For more colleague comments, click here.
PATIENT TESTIMONIALS:
Briana D., patient from Healthgrades
“I have had severe Rheumatoid Arthritis for 43 of my 45 years of life, and when I was diagnosed with cervical stenosis it was a BIG problem. It was going to be an extremely delicate and risky surgery; Dr. Riew saved my life; he gave me back my walking and doing what I love! He is my miracle worker!! Thank goodness we have Dr. Riew!”
Steve M., patient from Healthgrades
“I will make this simple, after seeing other physicians I can state emphatically if you have a neck you seriously think needs surgical correction do NOT see anyone else BUT Dr. Riew! Get the best: he understands the neck better than anyone else and is a skilled surgeon. I have been all over the country seeking answers and he had them when others didn’t and now after a decade I am pain free and recovering spectacularly from a recent major surgery.”
Herb B., patient from Healthgrades
“Meeting Dr. Riew exceeded all my expectations. His expertise and ability to connect to the patient is outstanding. I felt as if I was his only patient.”
Jose, patient review on Google
“Excellent physician, very detailed examination. Discussed in detail clinical findings versus radiologic findings in a very understandable language. Very relaxing atmosphere. The best.”
Marc J., patient review on Google
“I had artificial disc replacement surgery with Dr. Riew at the end of July 2020 to relieve pain from a herniated C5-C6 disc. I am an otherwise healthy 53 year old runner who is in good shape. I had originally set a date for surgery with a very well known spine surgeon at HSS, but as the process went on I felt like a cog in a giant conveyor belt. I am so happy that I went with my gut and switched to Dr. Riew because my surgery was a total success. I was the first surgery of the day and was discharged by 2 pm. I walked 30 minutes with my wife the evening following the surgery. Three days later, I was on the stationary bike. One week later, I was back running. It is now twelve weeks after surgery and I feel terrific. While I was incredibly nervous about the surgery, in retrospect, it was the right decision and I am now pain free and back to myself. If you are looking for a cervical spine surgeon, I highly recommend Dr. Riew.”
For more patient reviews, click here.
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