schuler md website bio

Dr. Thomas Schuler

FACS, FAAOS
Spine Surgeon
Founder of VSI

Dr. Schuler’s personal journey AS A PATIENT:

Dr. Schuler understands firsthand the challenges of dealing with neck pain, as he has experienced it. His journey from struggling with debilitating symptoms to reclaiming an active life and sustaining a demanding career through customized surgery combining disc replacement and spinal fusion surgery fuels his dedication to helping patients find relief and regain their quality of life.

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’ recoveries 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 as a result of the modern marvels of hybrid spine surgery

In 1992 Dr. Schuler founded Virginia Spine Institute to create a center of exceptional healthcare that did not exist in the Metro-DC region. 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 has 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 before his surgery. His recovery further instilled in him greater empathy for his patients’ emotional and physical needs.

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 Orthopedic Surgery

Affiliations

  • Fellow, American College of Spine Surgery
  • Fellow, American College of Surgeons
  • Fellow, American College of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Chairman of the Medical and Scientific Board, National Spine Health Foundation
  • North American Spine Society
  • Young Presidents Organization (Past Chairman)
  • Eagle Scout

Dr. Thomas 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)

Research

Cervical Hybrid Constructs Reduce Superior Adjacent Segment Burden Compared to Multilevel Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Journal of Spine Surgery (2024)


Augmented Reality-Assisted Spine Surgery: An Early Experience Demonstrating Safety and Accuracy with 218 Screws.

Best Paper 2022 – Global Spine Journal, June 1, 2023.
Global Spine Journal. January 2022. 


90-Day Complication and Revision Surgery Rates Using Navigated Robotics in Thoracolumbar Spine Surgery

Best Paper 2023. “90-Day Complication and Revision Surgery Rates Using Navigated Robotics in Thoracolumbar Spine Surgery” Podium Presentation at the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, San Francisco, California, June 1-3, 2023


Anterior Cervical Hybrid Constructs Reduce Upper Adjacent Segment Hypermobility Compared to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

Poster Presentation at the Global Spine Congress, Prague, Czech Republic, May 31st, 2023.


Intradiscal Injection of Autologous Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate Improves Low Back Pain at One Year

Poster Presentation at the International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, Boston, MA, May 11th, 2022.


Opioid Use After Elective Spine Surgery: Do Spine Surgery Patients Consume Less than Prescribed Today?

North American Spine Society Journal. 23 November, 2022.


Opioid Utilization After Elective Spine Surgery: How Many Pills Are Leftover? 

Podium Presentation at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chicago, IL, March 26th, 2022.

What Patients Are Saying

Google
5.0/5
Jan 23, 2024
Google - SpineMD
My experience with Dr Schuler along his PA Thoa Allen and the staff have been outstanding. I came to see Dr Schuler after experiencing lower back pain for many years. I had significant stenosis, disc degeneration at multiple levels and scoliosis. He first performed a discography and a nerve test before surgery to confirm the MRI results. These tests gave him more information to have a positive surgical outcome. I am at the three month mark and my pain is gone and the new X-rays confirm that I am healing as expected. Dr Schuler is a pioneer in his field and an extremely talented surgeon.
Google
5.0/5
Nov 2, 2023
Google - SpineMD
I heard of VSI because of prior patients I had treated. I ended up needing a spine specialist myself and booked an appointment with Dr. Schuler. I had to have surgery and I am very happy I chose VSI. I could not have asked for a more skilled physician and professional staff. I really appreciated how friendly the staff was about returning phone calls and answering my questions. Thanks VSI for taking great care of me and helping me improve the quality of my life.
Google
5.0/5
Nov 2, 2023
Google - SpineMD
Dr Schuler literally changed my life. Constant pain due to multiple cervical disc problems. From the moment I woke from surgery, the pain was gone. 3 months post-op, and there are days when I don't even think about the surgery, since things are just 'normal'. Theees no higher praise than 'normal'! If you have neck or back problems, and aren't sure you like what your local doctors are telling you, get the second opinion from Dr Schuler. It's worth whatever traveling you have to do. Side notes: Cigna insurance sucks. I see a review here complaining about insurance. Review the doctor, not the insurance. A doctor that gives/recommends the best treatment, irrespective of whether insurance covers it, is the doctor that you want.
Google
5.0/5
Oct 6, 2023
Google - SpineMD
Dr T Schuler and the VA Spine Institute team have reset my life. I can resume my active life with no more meds, downtime or pain. I am forever thankful that I’ve been given this renewal by this talented team.
Google
5.0/5
Sep 21, 2023
Google - SpineMD
Excellent doctor’s office and staff. I can’t say enough how happy I am with being able to move again. No pain!! I can honestly say that I’ve never felt better. Wish I could give 10 stars!!!
Google
5.0/5
Mar 20, 2023
Google - SpineMD
Dr. Schuler at Virginia Spine Institute is an exceptional surgeon who recently performed a spinal fusion procedure on me. From the initial consultation to the follow-up appointments, I felt like I was in the best hands possible. Dr. Schuler was incredibly knowledgeable and professional, taking the time to answer all of my questions and address any concerns that I had. During the surgery, Dr. Schuler and the surgical team were highly skilled and efficient, which gave me a lot of confidence in the outcome. The surgery was a complete success, and I am incredibly grateful to Dr. Schuler for relieving the pain and discomfort that I had been experiencing for years. The recovery process was also made much easier due to the care and support that Dr. Schuler and his team provided. They were always available to answer my questions and concerns and made sure that I was comfortable throughout the entire process. Overall, I cannot recommend Dr. Schuler enough. He is an outstanding surgeon who truly cares about his patients and their well-being. If you are in need of spinal surgery, I highly recommend him for the job. Thank you, Dr. Schuler, for exceeding all my expectations, for your exceptional work and for changing my life for the better.
Vitals
5.0/5
Feb 21, 2023
Vitals - SpineMD
you gave me my life back - just like you promised!, Staff - 12 out of 10 Offices and facilities 11 out of 10 Tom Schuler - the only regret I have is that we have not spent time together on 7 Mile Beach.... but he is still a 12 out of 10 May God's hand of blessing continue to be upon everyone here at VSI
HealthGrades
5.0/5
Feb 21, 2023
HealthGrades - SpineMD
Staff - 12 out of 10 Offices and facilities 11 out of 10 Tom Schuler - the only regret I have is that we have not spent time together on 7 Mile Beach.... but he is still a 12 out of 10 May God's hand of blessing continue to be upon everyone here at VSI
Google
5.0/5
Jan 10, 2023
Google - SpineMD
I am so grateful to Dr Schuler and his amazing team, I am finding it hard to find all the right words to share. I have been suffering with severe spinal stenosis for more than 10 years and when we first met in late October he said “we can fix this…. we can give you your life back.” And 7 weeks post surgery, that is exactly what he and the VSI Team have done. No pain and mobility restored. Our family is so thankful - so thankful. God bless, George
Google
5.0/5
Dec 23, 2022
Google - SpineMD
23 years later after my surgery, this man changed my life for the better. Dr.Schuler is a Top of the Line surgeon. I thank him deeply for giving me back my life.

Dr. Schuler’s Resources

Empowering Patients with Knowledge and Hope for a Pain-Free Life

Blog

What to Ask your Doctor if you’ve been Prescribed Opioid Medications

Blog

Total Disc Replacement Beats Spinal Fusion to Keep Patients in Motion After Surgery

Blog

Advice From A Spine Surgeon: The Secret To A Healthier And Happier Life

Join the Patients We’ve Helped on the Road to Recovery