Biography

Lauren M. Nelson, M.D. is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery. Her clinical interests include degenerative disorders of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine with a focus on minimally invasive techniques.

She completed her undergraduate degree in Biology at Santa Clara University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude while competing on the track and cross country teams. She subsequently earned her medical degree at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and completed her Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at the University of Louisville. She completed a Spine Surgery Fellowship at the internationally renowned Twin Cities Spine Center where she received extensive training in both traditional open spine surgery and minimally invasive techniques, including the use of robotics and computer navigation.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, running, hiking, and learning to golf.

“I treat each of my patients as I would a member of my family, with a conservative approach to spine surgery. If there are non-surgical options that may help alleviate your symptoms, this is typically what I will recommend first, as treatments such as physical therapy or injections are sometimes all that is needed.

We do not have a surgical solution to every problem, but there are many situations where surgery can significantly improve your quality of life. If that is the case, we will discuss your surgical options and what you can expect after your procedure. Whenever possible, I utilize minimally invasive techniques to treat your condition and help you recover more quickly. We may also discuss what you can do pre-operatively to improve your results, such as optimizing management of other medical conditions and reducing or eliminating unhealthy habits.

My goal when you see me in clinic is to help you understand your condition and what we can both do to achieve the best outcome. Each individual patient is different and I value taking the time to understand your unique situation so we can develop a personalized treatment plan that aligns with your goals. I look forward to meeting you and helping to manage your spinal condition."

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: 
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, 2018- 2023

Fellowship: 
Spine Surgery Fellowship, Twin Cities Spine Center, Minneapolis, MN, 2023-2024

Research

PUBLICATIONS

Richards JA, Nelson LM, Caborn DNM. Long-Tern Results of Particulated Juvenile Allograft Cartilage Implantation: A Case Report with Eleven-Year Second-Look Arthroscopy and Review of Literature. J of Cartilage & Joint Preservation. 2023 February

Hill BW, Cannada LK, Nelson L, Tornetta P, Hymes R, Jones CB, Obremskey W, Carroll E, Mullis B, Tucker M, Teague D, Marcantonio A, Ostrum R, Core MD, Israel H. Is There a Critical Radiographic Angle That Portends Poor Functional Outcome Scores in Nonoperative Treatment of Isolated Humeral Shaft Fractures? J Surg Orthop Adv. 2021 Summer;30(2):73-77.PMID: 34181520

Cannada LK, Nelson L, Tornetta P, Hymes R, Jones CB, Obremskey W, Carroll E, Mullis B, Tucker M, Teague D, Marcantonio A, Ostrum R, Core MD, Israel H. Operative vs. Nonoperative Treatment of Isolated Humeral Shaft Fractures: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Surg Orthop Adv. 2021 Summer;30(2):67-72.PMID: 34181519

Nelson L, Van Heest A. Medical Student Years Three and Four Timeline. Book chapter. Medical Student Guide for Orthopaedic Surgery. Ed: Cannada LK. Chapter 8, page 49-55, 2020.

Nelson LM, Laratta JL, Shillingford JN. The Freehand Technique for S2-Alar-Iliac Screw Placement: a Review of Current Literature in Adult Spinal Deformity. Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2019 September; 70(3):153-8

Abdulrauf SI, Vuong P, Patel R, Sampath R, Ashour AM, Germany LM, Lebovitz J, Brunson C, Nijjar Y, Dryden JK, Khan MQ, Stefan MG, Wiley E, Cleary RT, Reis C, Walsh J, Buchanan P. "Awake" clipping of cerebral aneurysms: report of initial series. J Neurosurg. 2017 Aug;127(2):311-318. PMID: 27767401

PRESENTATIONS

Recognizing patients in whom CT-Myelography detects additional level of stenosis compared to Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Podium Presentation—AAOS 2022 annual meeting; 2022 March 24; Chicago, IL
Podium Presentation—Fischer-Owen Resident Research Day; 2021 June; Louisville, KY

Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: Evolving Indications and Current Controversies
Grand Rounds Presentation—University of Louisville Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; January 2022; Louisville, KY

Pediatric Atlantoaxial Instability
Grand Rounds Presentation—University of Louisville Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; February 2021; Louisville, KY

Immediate Versus Delayed Weight Bearing After Ankle ORIF: A Retrospective Study
Poster Presentation—MAOA’s 38th annual meeting; 2021 Sept 29- Oct 3; Amelia Island, FL

Primary ORIF Versus Staged Fixation of Gustilo II Open Ankle Fractures: A Retrospective Study
Poster Presentation—MAOA’s 38th annual meeting; 2021 Sept 29- Oct 3; Amelia Island, FL
Podium Presentation—Fischer-Owen Resident Research Day; 2020 June; Louisville, KY

Is there a critical radiographic angle that portends poor functional outcome scores in nonoperative treatment of isolated humeral shaft fractures?
Podium Presentation— OTA’s 34th annual meeting; 2018 Oct 17-20; Kissimmee, FL
Podium Presentation— AAOS’s 2019 annual meeting; 2019 March 12-16; Las Vegas, NV

Operative v. non operative treatment of isolated humeral shaft fractures: A prospective cohort study.
Podium Presentation— OTA’s 34th annual meeting; 2018 Oct 17-20; Kissimmee, FL
Podium Presentation— AAOS’s 2019 annual meeting; 2019 March 12-16; Las Vegas, NV
Podium Presentation— MAOA’s 37th annual meeting; 2019 April 10-14; Miramar Beach, FL

How quickly do patients return to function after nonoperative treatment of isolated humeral shaft fractures?
Poster Presentation— OTA’s 35th annual meeting; 2019 Sept 25-28; Denver, CO

Does motion at 8 weeks predict nonunion in nonoperatively managed humeral shaft fractures: a prospective multicenter evaluation.
Podium Presentation— OTA’s 33rd Annual Meeting; 2017 Oct 11-14; Vancouver, BC