Biography

Kayla N. Bradburn, M.D. is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery. Her clinical interests include degenerative disorders of the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine with a special interest in minimally invasive techniques.

Dr. Bradburn is a graduate of Saint Louis University School of Medicine, and she received her undergraduate degree in Biology from Santa Clara University. At Santa Clara she graduated summa cum laude and enjoyed competing as a division 1 cross country and track athlete. While at Saint Louis University, she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. Dr. Bradburn completed an Orthopaedic Residency at Indiana University School of Medicine and completed her Spine Surgery Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Bradburn takes a conservative approach to spine surgery and emphasizes attempting non operative treatment options first. When other treatment options have failed and surgery is necessary, she works passionately to help her patients have the best outcome possible.

“I love operating, but the best part is seeing patients improve afterward and knowing that I have made a difference. This starts with having good surgical indications and working with the patient even before surgery to ensure they are optimized and will have the best outcome possible following surgery. Sometimes, this means having difficult conversations with patients about giving up unhealthy habits or having medical conditions treated first, but I will always be upfront about what needs to happen to give them the best possible outcome.“

In her free time, Dr. Bradburn enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, playing pickleball, and running and hiking with her twin sister.

Education

Undergraduate: 
Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, B.S. Biology, 2010-2014

Medical School: 
Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, Doctor of Medicine, 2014-2018

Residency: 
Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, Orthopaedic Resident, 2018-2023

Fellowship: 
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, Spine Surgery Fellowship, 2023-2024 

Research

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES:

Prospective Analysis of Fusion Rate with a New Demineralized Bone Matrix. PI: Cristian Balcescu, MD

Prospectively collected data from a post-market clinical study evaluating one type of allogeneic demineralized bone matrix was reviewed to determine the rate of fusion when used in conjunction with pedicle screw fixation via evaluation of 1-year postoperative CT scans

Psoas Muscle Area as a Predictor of Post-Operative Complications in Patients with Neuromuscular Scoliosis. PI: Ryan Fitzgerald, MD

Retrospective multicenter study investigating if psoas muscle area is associated with postoperative complications and can be used as a meaningful marker for patients’ nutritional status.

Developed the study idea and protocol, performed the initial literature review, and submitted the project to the Neuromuscular Scoliosis Research Interest Group for further development and approval. In data collection.

Enigmatic and Unusual Cases of Upper Extremity Pain: Mislabeling as Malingerers. PI: Gregory Merrell, MD

Collection of interesting and unusual cases of upper extremity pain reported along with tips for making these challenging diagnoses.

Composed the case reports and submitted the manuscript for publication.
Outcomes Following Intramedullary Screw Fixation of Distal Fibula Fractures. PI: Anthony Sorkin, MD

Retrospective study investigating the complication rate and union rate of distal fibula fractures after treatment with fibular intramedullary screws

Performed the literature review, submitted the IRB, collected and analyzed the data, and composed abstract. Accepted as a poster at OTA 2023.

Does Orthopaedic Resident Efficiency Improve with Respect to Decreased Fluoroscopic Times in Tibia Intramedullary Nailing? A Measure of an ACGME Milestone. PI: Lisa Cannada, MD

Retrospective study investigating the relationship between fluoroscopy times for intramedullary nailing of tibia fractures and resident post graduate year to see if this could be used to assess resident proficiency.

Performed the data collection and composed the manuscript for submission.

PUBLICATIONS:

Hajewski CJ, Bradburn K, Boody B, Sasso R. Comparison of a right versus left sided anterior approach to the thoracic and thoracolumbar spine: A case series. J Orthop. 2022 Jun 17;33:5-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jor.2022.06.008. PMID: 35789777; PMCID: PMC9249572

Balcescu C, Bradburn K, Roskinsky A, Konopka J, McCarthy M, Smucker J, Boody B, Sasso R. Prospective analysis of fusion rate with a new demineralized bone matrix. Journal of Spine. Accepted for publication. July 2021.

Bradburn KN, Beleckas CM, Peck KM, Kaplan FT, Merrell GA. Enigmatic and Unusual Cases of Upper Extremity Pain: Mislabeling As Malingerers. J Hand Surg Am. 2020 Oct;45(10):972-976. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2020.04.007. Epub 2020 Jul 14. PMID: 32674917.

Bradburn KN, Patel JH, Cannada LK. Does orthopaedic resident efficiency improve with respect to decreased fluoroscopic times in tibial intramedullary nailing? A measure of an ACGME milestone. Current Orthopaedic Practice. 2019 March; 30(2):129-132. doi: 10.1097/BCO.0000000000000733

PRESENTATIONS:

Does Orthopaedic Resident Efficiency Improve with Respect to Decreased Fluoroscopic Times in Tibia Intramedullary Nailing? A Measure of an ACGME Milestone Authors: Kayla Bradburn, BS; Jay Patel, MD; Lisa Cannada, MD

Podium, AAOS Annual meeting, San Diego, CA, March 2017
Poster, St. Louis University AOA Medical Student Research Forum, January 2017
Poster, Southeast Fracture Consortium, Greenville, SC, January 2017, 3rd place winner