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Meet Dr. Thomas Schuler

Thomas Schuler, MD, FACS, FAAOS

Spine Surgeon
Founder
Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Schuler is named one of America’s Top 50 Spine Surgeons and serves as the Chairman of the National Spine Health Foundation’s Medical and Scientific Board.

Dr. Schuler’s passion for his patients’ recovery is fueled by his experience as a patient. Watch Dr. Schuler’s journey as he personally went from debilitating neck and arm symptoms back to an active life and physically demanding career thanks to the modern marvels of hybrid spine surgery

As a spine surgeon, one of Dr. Schuler’s greatest passions is improving lives. In 1992 he founded Virginia Spine Institute to create a center of exceptional healthcare to achieve his vision. This was necessary since the field of spine surgery was in its infancy. Today, his powerful vision has resulted in an internationally renowned institute. Through his leadership and medical innovations, Dr. Schuler and his interdisciplinary team have revolutionized spinal healthcare, thus transforming the lives of millions worldwide. 

Dr. Schuler is double-board certified and trained in neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery of the spine. He is a recognized international leader in the treatment of neck and lower back conditions. Dr. Schuler is noted among the 100 best spine surgeons and specialists in America. US News and World Report named him among the top 1% of physicians in his specialty nationwide. He serves as President of the National Spine Health Foundation, and Chairman of its Medical and Scientific Board. His work with this national non-profit organization enables him to collaborate with his peers, the top spinal surgeons in the nation, to educate the world as to the most effective treatments in modern spinal healthcare. 

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Dr. Schuler is named among America’s Top 50 Spine Surgeons and serves as the Chairman of the National Spine Health Foundation’s Medical and Scientific Board.

Dr. Schuler’s passion for his patients’ recovery is fueled by his experience as a patient. Watch Dr. Schuler’s journey as he went from debilitating neck and arm symptoms back to an active life and physically demanding career thanks to the modern marvels of hybrid spine surgery

One of Dr. Schuler’s greatest passions is improving lives! In 1992 he founded Virginia Spine Institute to create a center of exceptional healthcare. This was necessary since the field of spine surgery was in its infancy. Today, his powerful vision has resulted in an internationally renowned institute. Through his leadership and medical innovations, Dr. Schuler and his interdisciplinary team have revolutionized spinal healthcare, thus transforming the lives of millions worldwide. 

Dr. Schuler is double-board certified and trained in neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery of the spine. He is a recognized international leader in the treatment of neck and lower back conditions. Dr. Schuler is noted among the 100 best spine surgeons and specialists in America. US News and World Report named him among the top 1% of physicians in his specialty nationwide. He serves as President of the National Spine Health Foundation, and Chairman of its Medical and Scientific Board. His work with this national non-profit organization enables him to collaborate with his peers, the top spinal surgeons in the nation, to educate the world as to the most effective treatments in modern spinal healthcare. 

Not only is he a world-class surgeon, but Dr. Schuler has also been on the receiving end of spinal surgery. He suffered from severe neck pain, three-disc herniations, and nerve compression which resulted in him undergoing a cervical hybrid surgery. Interestingly, Dr. Schuler performed the first hybrid multilevel cervical artificial disc replacement and spinal fusion in the Nation only a few months prior to his own surgery. His recovery further instilled in him greater empathy for his patients’ emotional and physical needs.

Dr. Schuler’s Surgical Highlights

  • First Three-Level Cervical Disc Replacement in the Mid-Atlantic Region
  • First M6-C™ Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement In DC-Metro Region
  • First in the Mid-Atlantic region to utilize the Mazor X™ System for transformative robotic spine surgery
  • Nation’s first combined multi-level hybrid cervical disc replacement and fusion surgery
  • Introduced robotic spine surgery to the mid-Atlantic region
  • Introduced endoscopic and minimally invasive (micro) tubular fusions to the region
  • Developed minimally invasive fusion technology; meaning less trauma to the patients
  • Introduced Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement surgery to the Washington DC region
  • Introduced Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement surgery to the Washington DC area
  • Initiated the first use of synthetic bioabsorbable implants in fusion technology
  • Obtained FDA approval for genetic engineering of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). This has revolutionized spinal fusions – it has made them more successful and less painful, and has eradicated decades of failed surgeries
  • Developed genetic engineering of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) to improve spine surgery
  • Introduced the use of laser in spine surgery to the DC region
  • Developed single incision, minimally invasive lumbar spine fusion (TLIFs)
  • Established anterior and posterior combined spinal fusion procedures to treat disabling degenerative disc pain as a standard of care
  • 1992: Dr. Schuler is recognized as the first fellowship-trained spine surgeon in the region (trained in both orthopedic surgery and neurosurgery)

 

Awards & Recognition

  • Top 10 Spine Surgeons for NFL Teams
  • Top 12 Spine Surgeons for Professional Athletes
  • 70 Spine Surgeons Using Robotic Systems, Becker's Spine Review
  • Top 10 Spine Surgeon Advocates
  • 100 Best Spine Surgeons and Specialists in America
  • The Spine Journal Editors’ Choice Award
  • Best of United States, “Best Physician”
Credentials

College

University of Notre Dame

Medical School

Indiana University School of Medicine

Residency

Orthopaedic Surgery, William Beaumont Hospital (Royal Oak, Michigan)

Fellowship

Spinal Surgery

Kerlan - Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (Los Angeles, California)

Double-Board Certified

American Board of Spine Surgery

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Affiliations

Fellow, American College of Spine Surgery

Fellow, American College of Surgeons

Fellow, American College of Orthopaedic Surgery

President of the Board of Trustees, National Spine Health Foundation

YPO - Young Presidents Organization (Past Chairman)

Chairman of the Medical and Scientific Board, National Spine Health Foundation

Board of Trustees - HCA Reston Hospital Center

North American Spine Society

Eagle Scout

Watch videos featuring Dr. Thomas Schuler

Find out Why Patients are Traveling to Virginia Spine Institute to Get Their Life Back

Hear Why Patients Chose Virginia Spine Institute to Get Their Life Back

Minimally Invasive Disc Replacements are Improving Results for Patients with Neck & Back Pain

Dr. Schuler Updates his 2020 Wellness Goal: “To Maintain his 2019 Wellness Commitment”

Dr. Schuler Provides Hope for Those Suffering With Back or Neck Pain.

Virginia Spine Institute’s 27th Anniversary

The Spine Surgery that Helped Tiger Woods Get Back on the Golf Course

Dr. Schuler Performs First M6-C™ Artificial Cervical Disc Replacement in DC-Metro

Get To Know Spine Surgeon Dr. Thomas Schuler

Meet Spine Surgeon, Dr. Thomas Schuler

3 Options for Your Artificial Disc Replacement

Role Reversal: When Spine Surgeon Dr. Thomas Schuler Becomes the Patient

Advances in Motion-Preserving Surgery for Neck Pain and Cervical Spine Conditions

Spine Surgeon Dr. Schuler Becomes a Spine Surgery Patient. Follow his journey…