Dr. Jacob Buchowski | Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon | Washington University Orthopedics

Dr. Buchowski specializes in the surgical treatment of degenerative conditions of the cervical and lumbar spine such as disc herniations or spinal stenosis. He is board-certified and is one of only a handful of surgeons in Missouri who is a member of the prestigious Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) and Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS). He has received numerous awards for the quality of his clinical care.

Common Diagnoses Treated

Cervical disc herniation
Cervical deformity
Cervical kyphosis
Cervical spinal stenosis
Cervical myelopathy
Degenerative spondylolisthesis
Disc degeneration
Disc herniation
Fractures of the spine
Isthmic spondylolisthesis
Lumbar disc herniation
Lumbar spinal stenosis
Lumbar spondylolisthesis
Nerve compression (in the cervical or lumbar spine)
Radiculopathy
Spinal stenosis
Spondylosis/arthritis of the spine
Spondylolisthesis disc disease (including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine)

Common Procedures

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
Anterior spine fusion
Artificial disc replacement or arthroplasty
Cervical disc replacement or arthroplasty
Cervical fusion
Cervical laminectomy or decompression
Decompression of the cervical and lumbar spine
Discectomy
Lumbar fusion
Lumbar laminectomy or decompression
Minimally invasive spine surgery
Revision spine surgery
Robotic spine surgery
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)

Clinical Office Locations

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital

Medical Office Building 4
1044 North Mason Road, Suite 110
Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Hospital Affiliations

Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
St. Louis Children's Hospital

Academic Office Mailing Address

Washington University School of Medicine

Campus Box 8233

660 South Euclid Avenue

Saint Louis, MO 63110

MyChart Patient Portal

Patient Education

Dr. Buchowski’s Videos

Cervical disc herniation
Spine fractures
There's No Such Thing as Can't - courtesy of John Klobnak, Out of the Biz media

Meet Dr. Buchowski’s Patients

Peggy Stevens running a 5K after scoliosis surgery

Patient Resources

Patient Forms

Click here for patient forms.

Li Z, Bailey AD, Buchowski J, Weiner AM. A tandem array of minimal U1 small nuclear RNA genes is sufficient to generate a new adenovirus type 12-inducible chromosome fragile site. J Virol 1998;72:4205-4211. (PMCID 9557709)
Huckell CB, Buchowski JM, Richardson WJ, Williams D, Kostuik JP. Functional outcome of plate fusions for disorders of the occipitocervical junction: a long-term follow-up. Clin Orthop 1999;359:136-145.
Ahn NU, Sponseller PD, Ahn UM, Nallamshetty L, Rose PS, Buchowski JM, Garrett ES, Kuszyk BS, Fishman EK, Zinreich SJ. Dural ectasia in the Marfan syndrome: MR and CT findings and criteria. Genet Med 2000;2(3):173-179. (PMCID 12177551)
Ahn NU, Ahn UM, Nallamshetty L, Rose PS, Buchowski JM, Garrett ES, Kebaish KM, Sponseller PD. The lumbar interpedicular distance is widened in adults with the Marfan syndrome. Acta Orthop Scand 2001;72(1):67-71.
Ahn NU, Nallamshetty L, Ahn UM, Buchowski JM, Rose PS, Garrett ES, Kebaish KM, Sponseller PD. Dural ectasia and conventional radiography in the Marfan lumbosacral spine. Skeletal Radiol 2001;30(6):338-345.
Ahn UM, Ahn NU, Nallamshetty L, Springer BD, Buchowski JM, Funches L, Garrett ES, Kostuik JP, Kebaish KM, Sponseller PD. Cauda equina syndrome in ankylosing spondylitis (the CES-AS syndrome): meta-analysis of outcomes after medical and surgical treatments. J Spinal Disord 2001;14(5):427-433. (PMCID 11586143)
Nallamshetty L, Ahn NU, Ahn UM, Buchowski JM, An HS, Rose PS, Garrett ES, Erkula G, Kebaish KM, Sponseller PD. Plain radiography of the lumbosacral spine in Marfan syndrome. Spine J 2002;2(5):327-33. (PMCID 14589463)
Ahn UM, Ahn NU, Buchowski JM, Kebaish KM, Lee JH, Song ES, Lemma MA, Sieber AN, Kostuik JP. Functional outcome and radiographic correction after spinal osteotomy. Spine 2002;27(12):1308-1311. (PMCID 12065978)
Ahn NU, Klug RS, Noh S, Ahn UM, Hiranyashiti N, Crane B, Buchowski JM, Andersson GB, An HS. Smoking, smoking cessation, and wound complications after lumbar spine surgery. Spine J 2002;2(5 Suppl 1):113-114.
Buchowski JM, Helm PA, Huckell CB, Riley LH, Ahn NU, Ahn UM, Okubadejo GO, Zinreich SJ, Kostuik JP. Evaluation of anatomical and surface registration methods for the lumbar and cervical spine using a frameless stereotactic system. Am J Orthop 2003;32(2):90-97. (2^nd place winner, American Journal of Orthopedics Resident Writer’s Award, awarded March 12, 2004.)
Buchowski JM, Kebaish KM, Sinkov V, Cohen DB, Sieber AN, Kostuik JP. Functional and radiographic outcome of sacroiliac arthrodesis for the disorders of the sacroiliac joint. Spine J 2005;5(5):520-8. (PMCID 16153580)
Pateder DB, Park YS, Kebaish KM, Cascio BM, Buchowski JM, Song EW, Shapiro MB, Kostuik JP. Spinal fusion after revision surgery for pseudarthrosis in adult scoliosis. Spine 2006;31(11):E314-9. (PMCID 16688021)
Buchowski JM, Bhatnagar R, Skaggs DL, Sponseller PD. Temporary internal distraction as an aid to correction of severe scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2006;88(9):2035-2041. (PMCID 17768223)
Okubadejo GO, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, Buchowski JM, Fang DD, Baldus CR, Nielson CH, Lee CC. Aprotinin may decrease blood loss in complex adult spinal deformity surgery, but it may also increases the risk of acute renal failure. Spine 2007;32(20):2265-2271. (PMCID 17873821)
Cheh G, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, Buchowski JM, Daubs MD, Kim YJ, Baldus C. Adjacent segment disease following lumbar/thoracolumbar fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation: a minimum 5 year follow-up. Spine 2007;32(20):2253-2257. (PMCID 17873819)
Buchowski JM, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, Lehman Jr. RA, Kuhns CA, Kim YJ, Stewart D, Baldus C. Neurologic complications of lumbar pedicle subtraction osteotomy: a 10-year assessment. Spine 2007;32(20):2245-2252. (PMCID 17873818)
Buchowski JM, Skaggs DL, Sponseller PD. Temporary internal distraction as an aid to correction of severe scoliosis. Surgical Technique. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2007;89:297-309. (PMCID 17768223)
Kuhns CA, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, Amor C, Lehman Jr. RA, Buchowski JM, Edwards C 2^nd, Baldus C. Thoracolumbar deformity arthrodesis stopping at L5: fate of the L5-S1 disc, minimum 5-year follow-up. Spine 2007;32(24):2771-2776. (PMCID 18007259)
Yeom JS, Kim KH, Hong SW, Park KW, Chang BS, Lee CK, Buchowski JM. A minimally invasive approach for intraforaminal disc herniations at the L5-S1 level: microdiscectomy using a tubular retractor via a contralateral approach. J Neurosurg Spine 2008;8:193-198. (PMCID 18248293)
Yeom JS, Lee JW, Park KW, Chang BS, Lee CK, Buchowski JM, Riew KD. Value of diagnostic lumbar selective nerve root block: a prospective controlled study. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2008;29(5):1017-23. (PMCID 18272560)
Liu G, Buchowski JM, Shen HX, Yeom JS, Riew KD. The feasibility of microscope-assisted “free-hand” C1 lateral mass screw insertion without fluoroscopy. Spine 2008;33(9):1042-1049. (PMCID 18427327)
Buchowski JM, Liu G, Bunmaprasert T, Rose PS, Riew KD. Prospective anterior cervical fusion assessment: surgical exploration versus radiologic evaluation. Spine 2008;33(11):1185-91. (PMCID 1846991)
Lehman Jr. RA, Lenke LG, Keeler KA, Kim YJ, Buchowski JM, Cheh G, Kuhns CA, Bridwell KH. Operative treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with posterior pedicle screw-only constructs: minimum 3-year follow-up of 114 cases. Spine 2008;33(14):1598-1604. (PMCID 18552676)
Yeom JS, Buchowski JM, Shen HX, Liu G, Bunmaprasert T, Riew KD. Effect of a fibrin sealant on drain output and length of stay after multi-level anterior cervical fusion. Spine 2008;33(16):E543-7. (PMCID 18628695)
Buchowski JM, Kuhns CA, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG. Surgical management of post-traumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis. Spine J 2008;8(4):666-677. (PMCID 17662662)
Riew KD, Buchowski JM, Sasso R, Zdeblick T, Metcalf NH, Anderson PA. Cervical disc arthroplasty compared with arthrodesis for the treatment of myelopathy. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2008;90(11):2354-64. (PMCID 18978404)
Yeom JS, Buchowski JM, Park KW, Chang BS, Lee CK, Riew KD. Undetected vertebral artery groove and foramen violations during C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw placement. Spine 2008;33(25):E942-E949. (PMCID 19050571)
Rose PS, Lenke, LG, Bridwell KH, Mulconrey DS, Cronen GA, Buchowski JM, Schwend RM, Sides BA. Pedicle screw instrumentation for adult idiopathic scoliosis: an improvement over hook/hybrid fixation. Spine 2009;34(8):852-857. (PMCID 19365256)
Rose PS, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, Cronen GA, Mulconrey DS, Buchowski JM, Kim YJ. Role of pelvic incidence, thoracic kyphosis, and patient factors on sagittal plane correction following pedicle subtraction osteotomy. Spine 2009;34(8):785-791. (PMCID 19365245)
Yeom JS, Buchowski JM, Park KW, Chang BS, Lee CK, Riew KD. A lateral fluoroscopic guide to prevent occipito-cervical and atlanto-axial joint violation during C1 lateral mass screw placement. Spine J 2009;9(7):574-579. (PMCID 19345614)
O’Leary PT, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, Good CR, Pichelmann MA, Buchowski JM, Kim YJ, Flynn J. Risk factors and outcomes for catastrophic failures at the top of long pedicle screw constructs: a matched cohort analysis performed at a single center. Spine 2009;34(20):2134-2139. (PMCID 19713876)
Maeda T, Buchowski JM, Kim YJ, Mishiro T, Bridwell KH. Long adult spinal deformity fusion to the sacrum using rhBMP-2 versus autogenous iliac crest bone graft. Spine 2009;34(20):2205-2212. (PMCID 19752707)
Buchowski JM, Anderson PA, Sekhon L, Riew KD. Cervical disc arthroplasty compared with arthrodesis for the treatment of myelopathy. Surgical Technique. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2009;91(Suppl 2):223-232. (PMCID 19805586)
Liu G, Buchowski JM, Bunmaprasert T, Yeom JS, Shen H, Riew KD. Revision surgery following cervical laminoplasty: etiology and treatment strategies. Spine 2009;34(25):2760-2768. (PMCID 19940734)
Shen HX, Buchowski JM, Yeom JS, Liu G, Lin N, Riew KD. Pseudarthrosis in multi-level anterior cervical fusion with rhBMP-2 and allograft: analysis of 127 cases with minimum 2-year follow-up. Spine 2010;35(7):747-753. (PMCID 20228711)
Lee KM, Yeom JS, Lee JO, Buchowski JM, Park KW, Chang BS, Lee CK, Riew KD. Optimal trajectory for the atlantooccipital transarticular screw. Spine 2010;35(16):1562-1570. (PMCID 20375856)
Crawford CH 3rd, Bridwell KH, Cho W, Buchowski JM, O’Shaughnessy BA, Chang MS, Auerbach JD. Extension of prior idiopathic scoliosis fusions to the sacrum: a matched cohort analysis of sixty patients with minimum two-year follow-up. Spine 2010;35(20):1843-1848. (PMCID 20802391)
Estillore R, Buchowski JM, Minh DV, Park KW, Chang BS, Lee CK, Riew KD, Yeom JS. Risk of internal carotid artery injury during C1 screw placement: analysis of 160 CT-angiograms. Spine J 2011;11(4):316-23. (PMCID 21474083).
Lee JO, Buchowski JM, Lee KM, Park KW, Chang BS, Lee CK, Riew KD, Yeom JS. Optimal trajectory for the occipital condylar screw. Spine 2012;37(5):385-392. (PMID 21544012)
Cho W, Buchowski JM, Park Y, Maeda T, Nabb CE, Riew KD. Surgical approach to the cervicothoracic junction: can a standard Smith-Robinson approach be utilized? J Spinal Disord Tech 2012;25(5):264-7. (PMID 21566532)
Auerbach JD, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Sehn JK, Milby AH, Bumpass D, Crawford CH 3rd, OʼShaughnessy BA, Buchowski JM, Chang MS, Zebala LP, Sides BA. Major complications and comparison between 3-column osteotomy techniques in 105 consecutive spinal deformity procedures. Spine 2012;37(14):1198-210. (PMID 22366971)
Schwab F, Ungar B, Blondel B, Buchowski J, Coe J, Deinlein D, Dewald C, Mehdian H, Shaffrey C, Tribus C, Lafage V. Scoliosis Research Society-Schwab adult spinal deformity classification: a validation study. Spine 2012;37(12):1077-82. (PMID 22045006)
Mall NA, Buchowski JM, Zebala LP, Wright RW, Matava M. Spine and axial skeleton injuries in the National Football League. Am J Sports Med 2012;40(8):1755-61. (PMID 22647737)
Stoker GE, Buchowski JM, Stoker ME. Prior cholecystectomy predicts preoperative vitamin D deficiency in adults undergoing spine surgery. Arch Surg 2012;147(6):577-8. (PMID 22786550)
Cho W, Maeda T, Park Y, Buchowski JM, Nabb CE, Riew KD. The incidence of bifid C7 spinous processes. Global Spine J 2012;2(2):99-104.
Raynor BL, Bright JD, Lenke LG, Rahman RK, Bridwell KH, Riew KD, Buchowski JM, Luhmann SJ, Padberg AM. Significant change or loss of intraoperative monitoring data: A 25-year experience in 12,375 spinal surgeries. Spine 2013 Jan 15;38(2):E101-8. (PMID 23124262)
Stoker GE, Buchowski JM, Kelly MP, Meyers BF, Patterson GA. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with posterior spinal reconstruction for the resection of upper lobe lung tumors involving the spine. Spine J 2013 Jan;13(1):68-76. (PMID 23295033)
Stoker GE, Buchowski JM, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, Riew KD, Zebala LP. Vitamin D status of adults undergoing surgical spinal fusion. Spine 2013 Mar 15;38(6):507-15. (PMID 22986835)
Nassif NA, Buchowski JM, Osterman K, McDonald DJ. Iliosacral reconstruction with minimal spinal instrumentation: surgical technique and early results. Clin Orthop Relat Res 2013 Mar;471(3):947-55. (PMID 23065355)
Kim HJ, Buchowski JM, Zebala LP, Dickson DD, Koester L, Bridwell KH. RhBMP-2 is superior to iliac crest bone graft for long construct sacropelvic fusions in adult spinal deformity: 4-14 year follow-up. Spine 2013 Jun 15;38(14):1209-1215. (PMID 23392417)
Yeom JS, Buchowski JM, Kim HJ, Chang BS, Lee CK, Riew KD. Risk of vertebral artery injury: comparison between C1-C2 transarticular screws and C2 pedicle screws. Spine J 2013;13:775-785. (PMID 23684237)
Yeom JS, Buchowski JM, Kim HJ, Chang BS, Lee CK, Riew KD. Postoperative occipital neuralgia with and without C2 nerve root transection during atlantoaxial screw fixation: a post-hoc comparative outcome study of prospectively collected data. Spine J 2013;13:786-795. (PMID 23711959)
Ledonio CGT, Polly DW, Crawford CH, Duval S, Smith JS, Buchowski JM, Yson SC, Larson AN, Sembrano JN, Santos ERG. Adult degenerative scoliosis surgical outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spine Deformity 2013;1(4):248-258.
Mesfin A, Buchowski JM, Zebala LP, Bakhsh WR, Aronson AB, Fogelson JL, Hershman S, Kim HJ, Ahmad A, Bridwell KH. High dose rhBMP-2 in adults: major and minor complications in 502 cases. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2013;95(17):1546-1553. (PMID 24005194)
Stoker GE, Buchowski JM, Chen CT, Kim HJ, Park MS, Riew KD. Hypovitaminosis D and cervical disk herniation among adults undergoing spine surgery. Global Spine J 2013;3:231-236. (PMID 24436874)
Rahman RK, Buchowski JM, Stephens B, Dorward IG, Koester LA, Bridwell KH. Comparison of TLIF with rhBMP-2 versus no TLIF and higher posterolateral rhBMP-2 dose at L5-S1 for long fusions to the sacrum with sacropelvic fixation in patients with primary adult deformity. Spine 2013;38(26):2264-2271. (PMID 24108280)
Dorward IG, Buchowski JM, Stoker GE, Zebala LP. Posterior cervical fusion with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2: complications and fusion rate at minimum two-year follow-up. J Spinal Disord Tech 2013 Feb 1. [Epub ahead of print] (PMID 23381187)
Gray BL, Buchowski JM, Bumpass DB, Lehman RA, Mall NA, Matava MJ. Disc herniations in the National Football League. Spine 2013;38(22):1934-8. (PMID 24026147)
Lehmann CL, Buchowski JM, Stoker GE, Riew KD. Neurologic recovery after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Global Spine J 2014;4(1):41-46. (PMID 24494180)
Song KS, Park MS, Kang H, Kim HJ, Buchowski JM, Riew KD. Dynamic plain radiographic criteria for detecting anterior cervical pseudoarthrosis based on 262 CT and surgically confirmed segments. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2014;96(7):557-563. (PMID 24695922)
Cho W, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Hu G, Buchowski JM, Dorward IG, Pahys JM, Cho SK, Kang MM, Zebala LP, Koester LA. The prevalence of abnormal preoperative neurologic exam in Scheuermann’s kyphosis: correlation with x-ray, MRI, and surgical outcome. Spine 2014;39(21):1771-1776. (PMID: 25029218)
Crawford CH III, Ledonio CGT, Bess RS, Buchowski JM, Burton DC, Hu SS, Lonner BSH, Polly DW, Smith JS, Sanders JO. Current evidence regarding the etiology, prevalence, natural history and prognosis of pediatric lumbar spondylolysis: a report from the Scoliosis Research Society Evidence Based Medicine Committee. Spine Deformity 2015;3(1):12-29.
Crawford CH III, Ledonio CGT, Bess RS, Buchowski JM, Burton DC, Hu SS, Lonner BSH, Polly DW, Smith JS, Sanders JO. Current evidence regarding the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of pediatric lumbar spondylolysis: a report from the Scoliosis Research Society Evidence Based Medicine Committee. Spine Deformity 2015;3(1):30-44.
Bumpass DB, Buchowski JM, Park A, Gray BL, Agarwal R, Baty J, Zebala LP, Riew KD, Santiago P, Ray WZ, Wright NM. An update on civilian spinal gunshot wounds: treatment, neurologic recovery, and complications. Spine 2015;40(7):450-461. (PMID: 25811133)
Yang JS, Buchowski JM, Verma V. Construct type and risk factors for pseudarthrosis at the cervicothoracic junction. Spine 2015;40(11):E613-E617. (PMID: 26091157)
Amelot A, Balabaud L, Choi D, Fox Z, Crockard HA, Albert T, Arts CM, Buchowski JM, Bunger C, Chung CK, Coppes MH, Depreitere B, Fehlings MG, Harrop J, Kawahara N, Kim ES, Lee CS, Leung Y, Liu ZJ, Martin-Benlloch JA, Massicotte EM, Meyer B, Oner FC, Peul W, Qureshi N, Tokuhashi Y, Tomita K, Ulbricht C, Verlaan JJ, Wang M, Mazel C. Surgery for metastatic spine tumors in the elderly. Advanced age is not a contraindication to surgery! Spine J. 2015;S1529-9430(15)01148-1. (PMID: 26239762)
Choi D, Fox Z, Albert T, Arts M, Balabaud L, Bunger C, Buchowski JM, Coppes MH, Depreitere B, Fehlings MG, Harrop J, Kawahara N, Martin-Benlloch JA, Massicotte EM, Mazel C, Oner FC, Peul W, Quraishi N, Tokuhashi Y, Tomita K, Verlaan JJ, Wang M, Crockard HA. Prediction of Quality of Life and Survival After Surgery for Symptomatic Spinal Metastases: A Multicenter Cohort Study to Determine Suitability for Surgical Treatment. Neurosurgery 2015;77(5):698-708. (PMID: 26204361)
Wallace AN, Robinson CG, Meyer J, Tran ND, Gang A, Callstrom MR, Van Tine BA, Morris JM, Bruel BM, Long J, Timmerman RD, Buchowski JM, Jennings JW. The multidisciplinary metastatic spine disease treatment working group algorithms. The Oncologist 2015;20(10):1205-15. (PMID: 26354526)
Neuman BJ, Baldus C, Zebala LP, Kelly MP, Shaffrey C, Edwards C II, Koski T, Schwab F, Glassman S, Parent S, Lewis S, Lenke LG, Buchowski JM, Smith JS, Crawford CH III, Kim HJ, Lafage V, Lurie J, Carreon L, Bridwell KH. Patient factors that influence decision making: randomization versus observational nonoperative versus observational operative treatment for adult symptomatic lumbar scoliosis. Spine 2016 Mar;41(6):E349-58. (PMID: 26571162)
Liu G, Buchowski JM, Riew KD. Screw back-out following “open-door” cervical laminoplasty: a review of 165 plates. Asian Spine J 2015;9(6):849-54. (PMID: 26713115)
Choi D, Fox Z, Albert T, Arts M, Balabaud L, Bunger C, Buchowski JM, Coppes MH, Depreitere B, Fehlings MG, Harrop J, Kawahara N, Martin-Benlloch JA, Massicotte EM, Mazel C, Oner FC, Peul W, Quraishi N, Tokuhashi Y, Tomita K, Verlaan JJ, Wang M, Wang M, Crockard HA. Rapid improvements in pain and quality of life are sustained after surgery for spinal metastases in a large prospective cohort. Br J Neurosurg 2016;30(3):337-44. (PMID 26901574)
Raynor BL, Padberg AM, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Riew KD, Buchowski JM, Luhmann SJ. Failure of intraoperative monitoring to detect postoperative neurologic deficits: a 25-year experience in 12,375 spinal surgeries. Spine 2016;41(17):1387-93. (PMID 26913466)
Dorward IG, Buchowski JM, Stoker GE, Zebala LP. Posterior cervical fusion with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2: complications and fusion rate at minimum two-year follow-up. Clin Spine Surg 2016;29(6):E276-81. (PMID 27137152)
Tauchi R, Lee SH, Kim JY, Kim YC, Peters C, Imagama S, Ishiguro N, Buchowski J, Riew KD. Postoperative severe headache following cervical posterior surgical fixation from C2 distally. Asian Spine J 2016;10(4):728-33. (PMID: 27559454)
Gum JL, Carreon LY, Buchowski JM, Lenke LG, Glassman SD. Utilization trends of pedicle subtraction osteotomies compared to posterior spinal fusion for deformity: a national database analysis between 2008-2011. Scoliosis Spinal Disord. 2016;11(1):25. (PMID 27602410)
Verlaan JJ, Choi D, Versteeg A, Albert T, Arts M, Balabaud L, Bunger C, Buchowski JM, Chung CK, Coppes MH, Crockard HA, Depreitere B, Fehlings MG, Harrop J, Kawahara N, Kim ES, Lee CS, Leung Y, Liu Z, Martin-Benlloch A, Massicotte EM, Mazel C, Meyer B, Peul W, Quraishi NA, Tokuhashi Y, Tomita K, Ulbricht C, Wang M, Oner FC. Characteristics of Patients Who Survived < 3 Months or > 2 Years After Surgery for Spinal Metastases: Can We Avoid Inappropriate Patient Selection? J Clin Oncol. 2016;34(25):3054-61. (PMID: 27400936)
Chapman TM Jr., Baldus CR, Lurie JD, Glassman SD, Schwab FJ, Shaffrey CI, Lafage V, Boachie-Adjei O, Kim HJ, Smith JS, Crawford CH III, Lenke LG, Buchowski JM, Edwards C II, Koski T, Parent S, Lewis S, Kang DG, McClendon J Jr., Metz L, Zebala LP, Kelly MP, Spratt KF, Bridwell KH. Baseline Patient Reported Outcomes Correlate Weakly with Radiographic Parameters: A Multicenter, Prospective NIH Adult Symptomatic Lumbar Scoliosis (ASLS) Study of 286 Patients. Spine 2016;41(22):1701-1708. (PMID 27831984)
Luksanapruksa P. Buchowski JM, Singhatanadgige W, Bumpass DB. Systematic review and meta-analysis of en bloc vertebrectomy compared to intralesional resection for giant cell tumors of the mobile spine. Global Spine J 2016;6(8):798-803. (PMID 27853665)
Neuman BJ, Baldus C, Zebala LP, Kelly MP, Shaffrey C, Edwards C 2nd, Koski T, Schwab F, Glassman S, Parent S, Lewis S, Lenke LG, Buchowski JM, Smith JS, Crawford CH 3rd, Kim HJ, Lafage V, Lurie J, Carreon L, Bridwell KH. Patient factors that influence decision making: randomization versus observational nonoperative versus observational operative treatment for adult symptomatic lumbar scoliosis. Spine 2016;41(6):E349-58. (PMID: 26571162)
Madaelil TP, Long JR, Wallace AN, Baker JC, Ray WZ, Santiago P, Buchowski J, Zebala LP, Jennings JW. Preoperative fiducial marker placement in the thoracic spine: a technical report. Spine 2016 Aug 31. [Epub ahead of print] (PMID: 27584673)
Luksanapruksa P, Buchowski JM, Hotchkiss W, Tongsai S, Wilartratsami S, Chotivichit A. Prognostic factors in patients with spinal metastasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spine J 2016 Dec 14. [Epub ahead of print] (PMID: 27988342)
Ledonio CG, Burton DC, Crawford CH 3rd, Bess RS, Buchowski JM, Hu SS, Lonner BS, Polly DW Jr, Smith JS, Sanders JO. Current evidence regarding diagnostic imaging methods for pediatric lumbar spondylolysis: a report from the Scoliosis Research Society Evidence Based Medicine Committee. Spine Deform 2017;5(2):97-101. (PMID: 28259272)
Luksanapruksa P, Buchowski JM, Wright NM, Valone FH 3^rd, Peters C, Bumpass DB. Outcomes and effectiveness of occipitocervical fusion for suboccipital spinal metastases. J Neurosurg Spine 2017 Feb 24:1-6. [Epub ahead of print] (PMID: 28291404)
Hershman SH, Kunkle WA, Kelly MP, Buchowski JM, Ray WZ, Bumpass DB, Gum JL, Peters CM, Sighatanadgige W, Kim JY, Smith ZA, Hsu WK, Nassr A, Currier BL, Rahman R, Isaacs R, Smith JS, Shaffrey C, Thompson S, Wang JC, Lord EL, Buser Z, Arnold P, Fehlings MG, Mroz TE, Riew KD. Esophageal perforation following anterior cervical spine surgery: case report and review of the literature. 2017;7(1S):28S-36S. (PMID 28451488)
Luksanapruksa P. Buchowski JM, Singhatanadgige W, Bumpass DB. Systematic review and meta-analysis of en bloc vertebrectomy compared to intralesional resection for giant cell tumors of the mobile spine. Global Spine J 2016;6(8):798-803. (PMID 27853665)
Neuman BJ, Baldus C, Zebala LP, Kelly MP, Shaffrey C, Edwards C 2nd, Koski T, Schwab F, Glassman S, Parent S, Lewis S, Lenke LG, Buchowski JM, Smith JS, Crawford CH 3rd, Kim HJ, Lafage V, Lurie J, Carreon L, Bridwell KH. Patient factors that influence decision making: randomization versus observational nonoperative versus observational operative treatment for adult symptomatic lumbar scoliosis. Spine 2016;41(6):E349-58. (PMID 26571162)
Amelot A, Balabaud L, Choi D, Fox Z, Crockard HA, Albert T, Arts CM, Buchowski JM, Bunger C, Chung CK, Coppes MH, Depreitere B, Fehlings MG, Harrop J, Kawahara N, Kim ES, Lee CS, Leung Y, Liu ZJ, Martin-Benlloch JA, Massicotte EM, Meyer B, Oner FC, Peul W, Qureshi N, Tokuhashi Y, Tomita K, Ulbricht C, Verlaan JJ, Wang M, Mazel C. Surgery for metastatic spine tumors in the elderly. Advanced age is not a contraindication to surgery! Spine J. 2017;17(6):759-767. (PMID 26239762)
Madaelil TP, Long JR, Wallace AN, Baker JC, Ray WZ, Santiago P, Buchowski J, Zebala LP, Jennings JW. Preoperative fiducial marker placement in the thoracic spine: a technical report. Spine 2017;42(10):E624-E628. (PMID 27584673)
Luksanapruksa P, Buchowski JM, Hotchkiss W, Tongsai S, Wilartratsami S, Chotivichit A. Prognostic factors in patients with spinal metastasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Spine J 2017;17(5):689-708. (PMID 27988342)
Ledonio CG, Burton DC, Crawford CH 3rd, Bess RS, Buchowski JM, Hu SS, Lonner BS, Polly DW Jr, Smith JS, Sanders JO. Current evidence regarding diagnostic imaging methods for pediatric lumbar spondylolysis: a report from the Scoliosis Research Society Evidence Based Medicine Committee. Spine Deform 2017;5(2):97-101. (PMID 28259272)
Luksanapruksa P, Buchowski JM, Wright NM, Valone FH 3rd, Peters C, Bumpass DB. Outcomes and effectiveness of occipitocervical fusion for suboccipital spinal metastases. J Neurosurg Spine 2017;26(5):554-559. (PMID 28291404)
Luksanapruksa P, Buchowski JM, Tongsai S, Singhatanadgige W, Jennings JW. Systematic review and meta-analysis of effectiveness of preoperative embolization in surgery for metastatic spine disease. J Neurointerv Surg 2018 Jun;10(6):596-601. (PMID 28918384)
Punyarat P, Buchowski JM, Klawson BT, Peters C, Lertudomphonwanit T, Riew KD. Freehand technique for C2 pedicle and pars screw placement: is it safe? Spine J 2018 Jul;18(7):1197-1203. (PMID 29155344)
Lertudomphonwanit T, Kelly MP, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, McAnany SJ, Punyarat P, Bryan TP, Buchowski JM, Zebala LP, Sides BA, Steger-May K, Gupta MC. Rod fracture in adult spinal deformity surgery fused to the sacrum: prevalence, risk factors and impact on health related quality of life in 526 patients. Spine J 2018 Sep;18(9):1612-1624. (PMID 29501749)
Crawford CH, Gum JL, Lenke LG, Buchowski JM, Edwards CC, et al. Does topical vancomycin powder use in instrumented lumbar spine fusions increase the incidence of vancomycin resistant “superbug” infections? JSM Neurosurg Spine 2108;6(1):1095.
Wright E, Ricciardi F, Arts M, Buchowski JM, Chung CK, Coppes M, Crockard A, Depreitere B, Fehlings M, Kawahara N, Lee CS, Leung Y, Martin-Benlloch A, Massicotte E, Mazel C, Oner C, Peul W, Quraishi N, Tokuhashi Y, Tomita K, Ulbricht C, Verlaan JJ, Wang M, Choi D. Metastatic spine tumor epidemiology: comparison of trends in surgery across two decades and three continents. World Neurosurg 2018 Jun;114:e809-e817. (PMID 29572177)
Wilson JR, Radcliff K, Schroeder G, Booth M, Lucasti C, Fehlings M, Ahmad N, Vaccaro A, Arnold P, Sciubba D, Ching A, Smith J, Shaffrey C, Singh K, Darden B, Daffner S, Cheng I, Ghogawala Z, Ludwig S, Buchowski J, Brodke D, Wang J, Lehman RA, Hilibrand A, Yoon T, Grauer J, Dailey A, Steinmetz M, Harrop JS. Frequency and acceptability of adverse events after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a survey study from the Cervical Spine Research Society. Clin Spine Surg 2018 Jun;31(5):E270-E277. (PMID 29708891)
Adogwa O, Buchowski JM. Vitamin D: should we be checking levels before spine fusion? Semin Spine Surg 2018;30:32-35.
Depreitere B, Ricciardi F, Arts M, Balabaud L, Buchowski JM, Bunger C, Chung CK, Coppes MH, Fehlings MG, Kawahara N, Lee CS, Leung Y, Martin-Benlloch JA, Massicotte EM, Mazel C, Bernhard M, Oner FC, Peul W, Quraishi N, Tokuhashi Y, Tomita K, Ulbricht C, Verlaan JJ, Wang M, Crockard AH, Choi D. Loss of local tumor control after index surgery for spinal metastases: a prospective cohort study. World Neurosurg 2018 Sep;117:e8-e16. (PMID 29729472)
Choi D, Ricciardi F, Arts M, Buchowski JM, Bunger C, Chung CK, Coppes M, Depreitere B, Fehlings M, Kawahara N, Leung Y, Martin-Benlloch A, Massicotte E, Mazel C, Meyer B, Oner C, Peul W, Quraishi N, Tokuhashi Y, Tomita K, Ulbricht C, Verlaan JJ, Wang M, Crockard A. Prediction Accuracy of Common Prognostic Scoring Systems for Metastatic Spine Disease: Results of a Prospective International Multicentre Study of 1469 Patients. Spine 2018 Dec 1;43(23):1678-1684. (PMID 30422958)
Choi D, Pavlou M, Omar R, Arts M, Balabaud L, Buchowski JM, Bunger C, Chung CK, Coppes MH, Depreitere B, Fehlings MG, Kawahara N, Lee CS, Leung Y, Martin-Benlloch JA, Massicotte EM, Mazel C, Meyer B, Oner FC, Peul W, Quraishi N, Tokuhashi Y, Tomita K, Ulbricht C, Verlaan JJ, Wang M, Crockard HA. A novel risk calculator to predict outcome after surgery for symptomatic spinal metastases; use of a large prospective patient database to personalise surgical management. Eur J Cancer 2018 Dec 6;107:28-36. (PMID 30529900)
Grabala P, Helenius I, Buchowski JM, Larson AN, Shah SA. Back pain and outcomes of pregnancy after instrumented spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. World Neurosurg 2019 Jan 3. pii: S1878-8750(18)32929-2. [Epub ahead of print] (PMID: 30610987)
Kelly MP, Lurie JD, Yanik EL, Shaffrey CI, Baldus CR, Boachie-Adjei O, Buchowski JM, Carreon LY, Crawford III CH, Edwards II C, Errico TJ, Glassman SD, Gupta MC, Lenke LG, Lewis SJ, Kim HJ, Koski T, Parent S, Schwab FJ, Smith JS, Bridwell KH. Operative versus nonoperative treatment for adult symptomatic lumbar scoliosis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2019 Feb 20;101(4):338-352. (PMID 30801373)
Gupte G, Peters CM, Buchowski JM, Zebala LP. Reliability of the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) questionnaires in adult cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy patients when administered by telephone or via online format. Spine J 2019 Mar 5. pii: S1529-9430(19)30079-8. [Epub ahead of print] (PMID: 30849533)
Smith JS, Shaffrey CI, Kelly MP, Yanik EL, Lurie JD, Baldus CR, Edwards C, Glassman SD, Lenke LG, Boachie-Adjei O, Buchowski JM, Carreon LY, Crawford CH III, Errico TJ, Lewis SJ, Koski T, Parent S, Kim HJ, Bess S, Schwab FJ, Bridwell KH. Effect of Serious Adverse Events on Health-Related Quality of Life Measures Following Surgery for Adult Symptomatic Lumbar Scoliosis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2019 Mar 20. [Epub ahead of print] (PMID 30921297)

Research Interests

Dr. Buchowski's research interests include: clinical outcomes following surgery for spinal tumors and metastatic spine disease, clinical outcome following complex reconstructive surgery, and the role of biologics in spine surgery.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Buchowski's clinical interest is in the surgical treatment of degenerative conditions of the cervical and lumbar spine such as disc herniations or spinal stenosis. Although not his primary interest, Dr. Buchowski is also known for the surgical treatment of primary and metastatic spinal tumors.

Background

Jacob M. Buchowski, MD, MS, is the Lawrence G. and Elizabeth A. Lenke Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Professor of Neurological Surgery, Vice-Chair and Chief of the Spine Division at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. He is also the Director of the Spinal Tumors Center. He is a board-certified specialist in spinal tumors, metastatic spine disease, and complex reconstructive spine surgery of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Dr. Buchowski earned his bachelor and master of science degrees in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University and his medical degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in orthopaedic surgery at Johns Hopkins, where he served as administrative chief resident at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was fellowship trained in adult and pediatric spine surgery in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Board Certifications

Diplomate, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Medical Degree

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Residency

Orthopaedic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital / Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Fellowship

Spine Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine

Honors and Awards

Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2023 Listing, Castle Connolly, New York, New York
Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2022 Listing, Castle Connolly, New York, New York
Castle Connolly Top Doctors 2021 Listing, Castle Connolly, New York, New York
Castle Connolly Regional Top Doctor 2021 Listing, Castle Connolly, New York, New York
Best Doctors in America 2020 Listing, Best Doctors, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, March 18, 2019
AAOS Achievement Award, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, March 12, 2019
Best Doctors in America 2019 Listing, Best Doctors, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, March 14, 2018
AAOS Achievement Award, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, March 6, 2018
AAOS Achievement Award, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, October 13, 2017
Best Doctors in America 2018 Listing, Best Doctors, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, June 8, 2017
Best Doctors in America 2017 Listing, Best Doctors, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, March 3, 2017
AAOS Achievement Award, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, February 28, 2017
Best Doctors in America 2016 Listing, Best Doctors, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, July 27, 2015
Best Doctors in America 2015 Listing, Best Doctors, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, May 11, 2015
Best Doctors in America 2014 Listing, Best Doctors, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, April 3, 2014
Best Doctors in America 2013 Listing, Best Doctors, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, February 7, 2013

WashU Medicine Orthopedics

Jacob Buchowski, MD, MS