About Keith Bridwell, MD

Since 1982, Dr. Keith H. Bridwell has devoted his career to patients needing complex reconstructive spine surgery.

His decades of experience make him one of the most experienced spinal surgeons in the world; you can read below about what makes him outstanding in a highly demanding field.  However, his academic and research accomplishments are only part of what makes Dr. Bridwell a world-class surgeon.  The other part is how he cares for his patients:  Dr. Bridwell is very committed to achieving the best outcome for each of his patients.

And that is what Dr. Bridwell’s patients get: the best outcome possible from a very experienced and knowledgeable spine surgeon.

Researcher and Author

• The First.  During his career, Dr. Bridwell has been intimately involved in all major advances in spinal deformity surgery.  In fact, he has been among the first—if not the first—to publish his experience with every new procedure.
• The Most.  Dr. Bridwell has published more important and substantive articles about clinical outcomes with pediatric and adult spinal deformity surgery than any other surgeon in the world.  No other surgeon in the world has published more than Dr. Bridwell on kyphosis problems, sagittal imbalance problems, flatback syndrome, and management of complications in spinal deformity surgery.
• The Standard.  Dr. Bridwell is the Editor-in-Chief for The Textbook of Spinal Surgery, Editions I, II, and III, which is one of the key educational resources for spine surgeons worldwide. He has also been the Deputy editor for Spinal Deformity for the definitive peer-reviewed journal, Spine.
• The Leader.  Dr. Bridwell co-founded the Spinal Deformity Study Group (SDSG) in 2001.  He is now the co-chairman of this group, which is a multicenter group studying clinical outcomes in pediatric scoliosis and related deformities, adult spinal deformities, and spondylolisthesis.  Dr. Bridwell is one of the very top enrollers of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and adult spinal deformity patients. By studying and following these patients, the SDSG has been able to substantially improve spinal deformity treatments.

See a list of all the articles and book chapters Dr. Bridwell has published.

Educator

• Professor.  Dr. Bridwell is the Asa C. and Dorothy W. Jones Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, and he is Chief of Pediatric and Adult Spinal Surgery in the Orthopaedic Department at Washington University in St. Louis.
• Founder.  In 1991, Dr. Bridwell founded the Spinal Deformity Fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine.  This year-long program, which has trained almost 40 surgeons, is seen by many as the #1 spine fellowship in the country for spinal deformity and complex spinal reconstruction procedures.  Dr. Bridwell has trained many of America’s top spinal surgeons.
• Presenter / Moderator.  Every year, Dr. Bridwell attends medical society meetings where he presents his research to the spine community.  This allows surgeons to learn from his experience and also gives Dr. Bridwell an opportunity to constantly learn from the experience of other spine surgeons throughout the world.

See a list of papers Dr. Bridwell has presented at medical meetings.

Accomplished Surgeon

• Thorough.  Dr. Bridwell studies the patient’s radiographs and clinical exams multiple times between seeing the patient and formulating his surgical plan.  Then he extensively studies them again before doing the surgery.
• Careful.  Dr. Bridwell formulates the least invasive and least risky procedure for each patient, taking into account their surgical goals and what their body can handle.  He never recommends a riskier procedure than the patient needs, and that sets him apart from some spine surgeons.  Where they may recommend a radical procedure—perhaps in order to build up their caseload or to further their reputation—Dr. Bridwell will always go with what is best for the patient.

This is especially true when it comes to advances in spine surgery.  Thanks to his research, Dr. Bridwell is on the cutting edge of all spine surgery advances.  However, he carefully studies each patient’s case to determine if the newest technique will benefit the patient, or if a more conventional surgical approach will be better.

• Honest.  Dr. Bridwell gives patients a very honest answer about how surgery will help them.  He and his team explain the potential risks, benefits, and complications with the surgery—and he does not hide any possible negative outcomes.  He wants the patient to be as informed as possible about their treatment, so he honestly answers all patient questions.  And because of his years of experience in spinal deformity surgery, patients can trust that Dr. Bridwell has the expertise, knowledge, and research to back up his answers.
• Experienced.  Because no surgeon has more experience in spinal deformity surgery than Dr. Bridwell and because he is very committed to following his patients, he knows how to manage almost any complication.  He can draw on his years of research and surgery to treat cases that are too complex for many other spine surgeons.  In fact, many of the patients Dr. Bridwell sees have been referred to him by other internationally respected spinal deformity surgeons who could not manage the complications. More than 50% of Dr. Bridwell's patients come from outside the Missouri/Illinois/Greater St. Louis area.
• Committed.  Dr. Bridwell follows up on his patients much more extensively than almost every other spine surgeon in the world.  He has seen many of his patients for 15 to 20 years, and if there is a problem after surgery—no matter how long after surgery—Dr. Bridwell will diagnose, manage, and treat the patient’s problem.  Other spine surgeons often follow their patients for just the first couple of years, so Dr. Bridwell’s commitment to follow-up sets him apart.
• Respected.  Dr. Bridwell’s peers elected him President of the Scoliosis Research Society—the premier society for spinal deformity surgeons—in 2000. He served as President of that international society in 2002-2003.  He is still very involved with the society and has sat on and/or chaired every major committee since 1982.  He has served on the Board of Directors twice, and he was the local host when the SRS annual meeting was held in St. Louis.