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Dr. Michael Smith is a Neurosurgeon specializing in the care and surgical management of spinal conditions. He is the Managing Director and the Board of Council Representative for Rothman Orthopedics Greater New York region. He is clinical associate professor of Orthopedics and Neurosurgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Smith has worked as a specialist in spinal neurosurgery in New York City since 2008. He initially started his practice at Montefiore Medical Center as an assistant professor of neurosurgery of Albert Einstein College of Medicine until 2009, and then transitioned to NYU Medical Center as an assistant professor of neurosurgery at NYU School of Medicine until joining Rothman Orthopaedic Institute in New York in 2019.
Dr. Smith has a stellar educational background, graduating from University of Virginia College of Arts and Sciences with a BA in Chemistry with Highest Honors in 1996. He continued on to earn his MD from the UVA School of Medicine in 2000. He was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society. He then completed his neurosurgery training in the residency program at the University of Pennsylvania from 2000 to 2007 and his spine surgery fellowship at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London, England from 2007 to 2008.
Throughout his career in New York City, Dr. Smith has developed a close collaboration with his colleagues in orthopedic spine surgery. In addition to operating together with his orthopaedic spine colleagues including managing complex spine problems, he has pursued clinical research with the orthopedic department, contributing to the safety and efficiency of patients with all aspects of spinal problems. The collaboration between Dr. Smith and Orthopaedic Spine surgeons has advanced the combined skill and foundational knowledge of both groups to ensure high quality, technically-advanced evidence-based care for all spinal problems. Dr. Smith is capable of performing numerous routine spine procedures in an ambulatory surgery center where patients are safely discharged home on the same day.
Dr. Smith works in close collaboration with his non-surgical colleagues to ensure that the best treatment is determined for each individual patient. These include pain management, rehabilitation medicine, neurology, and rheumatology.
Dr. Smith has been recognized for his clinical and teaching excellence with awards such as NY Super Doctors and the Neurosurgery Residents' Teacher of the Year award.
Dr. Smith provides care for the wide array of adult spinal conditions including degenerative diseases such as degenerated discs and joints, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis. He has extensive experience with tumor of the spinal column and spinal canal. He also has extensive experience with complex spinal deformity problems, including adult scoliosis, kyphosis, flat-back syndrome, and dropped-head syndrome.
Professional Profile
Education
- B.A., University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
- M.D., University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
- Internship, General Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Residency, Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Fellowship, Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Fellowship, Specialist Registrar, Spine at National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, Longon, England
Titles & Certifications
- Board Certified, American Board of Neurological Surgery
- Clinical Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Orthopedics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Professional Associations
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons
- New York Society for Neurosurgery
- Medical Society of the State of New York
Education
- B.A., University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
- M.D., University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
- Internship, General Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Residency, Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Fellowship, Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF), University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Fellowship, Specialist Registrar, Spine at National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, Longon, England
Titles & Certifications
- Board Certified, American Board of Neurological Surgery
- Clinical Associate Professor of Neurosurgery and Orthopedics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Professional Associations
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons
- New York Society for Neurosurgery
- Medical Society of the State of New York
More Information
Key Contact Information
Surgical Scheduler: 646-891-5514
Medical Questions: 646-351-0044
Billing Inquiries: 267-339-3558
Manuscripts:
Smith ML, Abrahams JA, Smith MJ, Chandela S, Hurst RW, LeRoux PD. Subarachnoid hemorrhage on computed tomography scanning and the development of cerebral vasospasm: The Fisher Grade Revisited. Surgical Neurology 63(3):229-34, 2005.
Witgen BM*, Lifshitz J*, Smith ML*, Schwarzbach E, Liang S, Grady MS, Cohen AS. Regional hippocampal alteration associated with cognitive deficit following experimental brain injury: a systems, network and cellular evaluation. Neuroscience 133(1):1-15, 2005. *Shared first-authorship
Smith ML, Counelis GJ, Maloney-Wilensky E, Stiefel MF, Donley K, LeRoux D. Brain tissue oxygen tension in clinical brain death: A Case Series. Neurological Research 29(7):755-9, 2007.
Smith ML, Lee JYK. Stereotactic radiosurgery in the management of brain metastasis. Neurosurgery Focus 22(3):1-8, 2007.
Smith ML, Choi D. Atlantoaxial dislocation. Medlink Neurology, 2008.
Elliott R, Morsi A, Frempong-Boadu, A, Smith ML. Is allograft sufficient for posterior atlantoaxial instrumented fusions with screw and rod constructs? A structured review of literature. World Neurosurgery 78(3):326-38, 2012.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Boah A, Smith ML, Frempong-Boadu A. Comparison of safety and stability of C2 pars and pedicle screws for atlantoaxial fusion: meta-analysis and review of the literature. J Neurosurg Spine 17(6):577-93, 2012.
Elliott R, Kang M, Smith ML, Frempong-Boadu A. C2 nerve root sectioning in posterior atlantoaxial instrumented fusions: a structured review of the literature. World Neurosurgery 78(6):697-708, 2012.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Boah A, Morsi A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. Is external cervical orthotic bracing necessary after posterior atlantoaxial instrumentation with modern instrumentation: meta-analysis and review of literature. World Neurosurgery 79(2):369-74, 2012.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Boah A, Morsi A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. Atlantoaxial fusion with transarticular screws: meta-analysis and review of literature. World Neurosurgery 79(2):369-74, 2013.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Smith ML, Frempong-Boadu A. Outcomes of fusion for lateral atlantoaxial osteoarthritis: meta-analysis and review of literature. World Neurosurgery 80(6):337-46, 2013.
Rodgers S, Marascalchi B, Grobelny B, Smith ML, Samadani U. Revision surgery after interbody fusion with recombinant bone morphogenetic protein 2: A cautionary tale for spine surgeons. J Neurosurg Spine 18(6):582-7, 2013.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Boah A, Morsi A, Ma T, Smith ML, Frempong-Boadu A. Atlantoaxial fusion with screw-rod constructs: meta-analysis and review of literature. World Neurosurgery 81(2):411-21, 2014.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Boah A, Morsi A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. Outcome comparison of atlantoaxial fusion with transarticular screws and screw-rod constructs: meta-analysis and review of literature. J Spinal Disorders & Techniques 27(1):11-28, 2014.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Boah A, Morsi A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. Comparison of screw malposition and vertebral artery injury of C2 pedicle and transarticular screws: meta-analysis and review of the literature. J Spinal Disorders & Techniques. 27(6):305-15, 2014.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. Impact of starting point and C2 nerve status on the safety and accuracy of C1 lateral mass screws: meta-analysis and review of the literature. J Spinal Disorders & Techniques 28(5):171-85, 2015.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Smith ML, Frempong-Boadu A. Impact of starting point and bicortical purchase of C1 lateral mass screws on atlantoaxial fusion: meta-analysis and review of literature. J Spinal Disorders & Techniques 28(7):242-53, 2015.
Lafage V, Protopsaltis P, Amitai A, Boniello A, Spiegel M, Lafage R, Challier V, Trimba Y, Ferrero E, Smith ML, Passias P, Kim Y, Razi A, Moskovich R. Adjacent segment pathology correlating with HRQOL following cervical laminoplasty versus posterior cervical decompression and fusion. The Spine Journal 15(10):105, 2015.
Engler J, Smith ML. Use of intraoperative fluoroscopy for safe placement of C2 translaminar screws: technical note. Eur Spine J 24(12):2771-5, 2015.
Schnurman Z, Smith ML, Kondziolka D. Off-label innovation: characterized through a case study of rhBMP-2 for spinal fusion. JNS: Spine 25(3):406-14, 2016.
Janjua M, Smith ML, Kartik S, Kim Y, Razi A. Thoracic juxtafacet cyst: a cause of spinal myelopathy. J Spine Surgery 3(2):294-9, 2017.
Ashayeri K, Sahasrabudhe N, Galic V, Beric A, Smith ML. Retrospective analysis of EMG evoked potentials in cortical bone trajectory pedicle screws. Clin Spine Surgery epub ahead of print 2018
Grobelny B, Smith ML, Perin N. Idiopathic Spinal Cord Herniation, Failure of Surgery, and an Alternative Surgical Approach - Case Report and Review of the Literature. JNS: Spine (submitted)
Ashayeri K, Frisoli F, Smith ML, Perin N. Prophylactic indirect decompression of the C4-5 foramen in multi-level cervical laminectomy/fusion and incidence of post-operative C5 palsy. Submitted World Neurosurgery.
…SMITH ML… Protopsaltis T. Full Body Dynamic Radiographic Analysis of Laminoplasty vs. Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Patients Correlated to HRQOL. Submitted to Spine.
Segar A, Riccio A, Smith ML, Protopsaltis T. Total Uncinectomy of the Cervical Spine with an Osteotome: Technical Note with an Intraoperative Video. JNS: Spine (in press 6/2019)
Segar A…. Smith ML…. Spinal shortening osteotomy for the management of recurrent tethered spinal cord in the setting of adult sagittal deformity. submitted Operative Neurosurgery 7/19
Chapters:
Smith ML, Sinson G. Intracranial vascular malformations. eMedicine.com, 2001.
Smith PW, Smith ML. ICU Recall: Central Nervous System. Tribble C and Thaemert N, Eds. Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins, 2008.
Smith ML, Bauman J, Grady MS. Schwartz’s Principles of Surgery, 9th Ed., Chapter 41: Neurosurgery. Brunicardi et al, Eds. McGraw-Hill, 2009.
Jain G, Altschul D, Smith ML, Brook A. Surgical Endovascular Neuroradiology: Spinal tumors. Prestigiacomo et al, Eds. Thieme, 2014.
Grobelny B, Smith ML. Spine disorders and treatment: conventional, microscopic, endoscopic surgical treatment of lumbar disc herniations: which procedure is preferable? Errico T, Varlotta G, Cheriyan T, Eds. Jaypee, 2014.
Sahasrabudhe N, Strom R, Smith ML. Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Passias P Ed. Jaypee, 2016.
Abstracts:
Abrahams J, Smith ML, Stiefel M, Hurst R, Le Roux P. Subarachnoid hemorrhage on computed tomography scanning and the development of cerebral vasospasm: the Fisher Grade revisited 20 years later. AANS/CNS Cerebrovascular Section, Phoenix, 2002.
Stiefel M, Abrahams J, Smith ML, et al. The Effect of nimodipine on cerebral oxygenation following subarachnoid hemorrhage. CNS Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, 2002.
Stiefel M, Abrahams J, Smith ML, et al. The effect of reduced cerebral perfusion pressure on brain oxygenation in traumatic brain injury. CNS Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, 2002.
Smith ML, Schlosser R, Maloney-Wilensky E, Grady MS. Post-operative measurement of ICP in patients with spontaneous CSF leaks: consideration for CSF shunting. CNS Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, 2002.
Szhwarzbach E, Smith ML, Bonislawski D, Grady M, Cohen A. Inhibitory neurotransmission contributes to regional injury-induced shifts in excitability which are not mediated by changes in GABA handling protein expression. Fellow’s Research Poster Day, Joseph Stokes Jr Research Institute, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 2004.
Roy S, Smith ML, Sutton L, Judkins A. Evidence of common molecular origins of cortical tuber and chordoma in a patient with tuberous sclerosis. J Neuropathology and Exp Neurology; 63:531 May 2004.
Counelis G, Goldberg A, Manoley-Wilensky E, Smith ML, Stiefel M, Donley K, LeRoux P. Brain tissue oxygen tension in clinical brain death. CNS Annual Meeting, San Francisco, 2004.
Schwarzbach E, Smith ML, Bonislawski D, Cohen AS. Induction and maintenance of area CA1 long-term potentiation is lost following traumatic brain injury in the mouse. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, 2004.
Smith ML, Bonislawski D, Schwarzbach E, Cohen AS. Injury-induced decrease in mouse dentate gyrus inhibitory activity correlate with alterations in KCC2 expression. Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, San Diego, 2004.
Fareedi S, Burrill J, Locke R, Smith ML, Robertson F. Radiology of the cervical spine: post-surgical appearances and complications. Radiological Society of North America Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2007.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Morsi A Boah A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. Vertebral artery injury and misplacement of transarticular versus C2 pedicle/pars screws: Structured review of literature. AANS Annual Meeting, Miami, 2012.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Morsi A Boah A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. Outcomes of transarticular screws versus screw-rod constructs for atlantoaxial instrumented fusion: Structured review of literature. AANS Annual Meeting, Miami, 2012.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Morsi A, Boah A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. Impact of technique on accuracy of C1 lateral mass screws: Structured review of literature. AANS Annual Meeting, Miami, 2012.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Boah A, Morsi A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. Are C2 pars screws safer than pedicle screws? Structured review of literature. AANS Annual Meeting, Miami, 2012.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Boah A, Morsi A, Ma T, Frempong-Boadu A, Smith ML. Is external cervical orthosis necessary after C1-2 posterolateral instrumentation and fusion? Structured review of literature. AANS Annual Meeting, Miami, 2012.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Smith ML, Frempong-Boadu A. Outcomes of surgery for atlantodental osteoarthritis: Meta-analysis and review of literature. CSRS Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2012.
Elliott R, Tanweer O, Smith ML, Frempong-Boadu A. Comparison of safety and stability of C2 pars and pedicle screws for atlantoaxial fusion: Meta-analysis and review of literature. CSRS Annual Meeting, Chicago, 2012.
Marascalchi B, Passias P, Joo L, Smith ML, Errico T. Comparative analysis of cauda equina syndrome patients treated with fusion versus non-fusion. Poster presentation AANS Annual Meeting, San Francisco, 2014.
Marascalchi B, Passias P, Goz V, Weinreb J, Joo L, Smith ML, Errico T. Comparative analysis of cauda equina syndrome patients versus an unaffected population undergoing spinal surgery. Poster presentation AANS Annual Meeting, San Francisco, 2014.
Boniello A, Protopsaltis P, Challier V, Amati A, Lafage R, Trimba Y, Liabaud B, Smith ML, Passias P, Kim Y, Razi A, Schwab F, Lafage V, Moskovich R. Full spine analysis of posterior cervical decompression and fusion vs laminoplasty correlated to HRQOL. CSRS Annual Meeting, Orlando, 2014.
Protopsaltis P, Amitai A, Boniello A, Menga E, Spiegel M, Lafage R, Challier V, Trimba Y, Ferrero E, Smith ML, Passias P, Kim Y, Razi A, Lafage V, Moskovich R. Full Spine Radiographic Analysis of Cervical Laminoplasty vs. Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Correlated with HRQOL. IMAST Annual Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, 2015.
Boniello A, Protopsaltis P, Amitai A, Challier V, Lafage R, Trimba Y, Ferrero E, Spiegel M, Menga E, Smith ML, Passias P, Kim Y, Razi A, Lafage V, Moskovich R. Full Body Dynamic Radiographic Analysis of Laminoplasty vs Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Patients Correlated to HRQOL. IMAST Annual Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, 2015.
Amitai A, Protopsaltis P, Boniello A, Challier V, Lafage R, Trimba Y, Ferrero E, Smith ML, Passias P, Kim Y, Razi A, Lafage V, Moskovich R. Adjacent Segment Pathology correlated with HRQL following Laminoplasty vs. Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion. IMAST Annual Meeting, Kuala Lumpur, 2015
Schnurman Z, Smith ML, Kondziolka D. Off-label innovation: characterized through BMP-2 for spinal fusion. AANS Chicago 2016.
Roden D, Bizekis C, Smith ML, Frempong A, DeLacure M. A rare complication of ACDF: Management of esophageal perforations with temporary T-tube. Am Broncho-esophagological Assoc Chicago, May 2016
Shenoy K, Lowe D, Dai A, Smith ML, Protopsaltis T. Upper Thoracic Vertebral Column Resection for Progressive Cervical Deformity. AAOS Video Theater. New Orleans March 2018. Honorable Mention Award, Spine Category.
Orthopaedic Video Theater AAOS Annual Meeting New Orleans 2018.
Stekas N, Kingery M, Steinmetz B, Ayers E, Protopsaltis T, Razi A, Kim Y, Smith ML. Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: 1 Year Radiographic Outcomes for PEEK vs. Titanium vs. Bone Graft Interbody Implants. Poster presentation at Int’l Soc for the Advancements of Spine Surgery (ISASS). Anaheim CA, April 2019.
Woo D, Manning J, Ayres E, Wang E, Vasquez-Montes D, Protopsaltis T, Smith ML, Kim Y, Buckland A. Radiation exposure using traditional fluoroscopy vs low-dose enhanced imaging in MIS spine surgery. Clinical Orthopedic Society Annual Meeting (COS). Atlanta, GA, Sept 2019 (submitted).
Woo D, Segar A, Ayres E, Kim Y, Smith ML, Protopsaltis T. Assessing pseudoarthrosis after ACDF with dynamic radiographs using novel angular measurements. Clinical Orthopedic Society Annual Meeting (COS). Atlanta, GA, Sept 2019 (submitted).
Stekas N, Kingery M, Steinmetz L, Ayres E, Woo D, Kim Y, Protopsaltis T, Smith ML, Razi A. ACDR: 1 year radiographic outcomes for PEEK vs. titanium, vs bone graft interbody implants. Clinical Orthopedic Society Annual Meeting (COS). Atlanta, GA, Sept 2019 (submitted).
Ashayeri, K, Frisoli F, Smith ML, Perin, N. Prophylactic indirect decompression of the C4-5 foramen in multilevel cervical laminectomy/fusion and incidence of post-operative C5 palsy. EANS Dublin, Ireland. Sept 2019.
AAOS 2020: ”A Comparison of Pseudoarthrosis in Standalone versus Plated Allograft, Peek and Titanium Cages in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF)" Your Application ID: 5711. "High Preoperative T1 Slope is a Marker for Global Sagittal" Your Application ID: 7451. "Assessing Postoperative Pseudoarthrosis in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) on Dynamic Radiographs using Novel Angular Measurements" Your Application ID: 5778. "What Drives Disability in Cervical Deformity: Novel Patient Generated Outcome versus Legacy HRQL" Your Application ID: 7445. "Radiation Exposure using Traditional Fluoroscopy versus Low-dose Enhanced Imaging in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery" Your Application ID: 4687 (submitted)
Woo D, Ayres E, Segar A, Zasquez-Montes D, Manning J, Wang E, Pierce K, Maglaras C, O’Connell B, Kim Y, Smith ML, Buckland A, Protopsaltis T. A comparison of pseudoarthrosis in standalone vs plated allograft, PEEK, and titanium cages in ACDF. ISASS. San Juan, PR, Feb 2020 (submitted)
