Nick Theodore, MD
Spine Surgery
Neurosurgery
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Nick Theodore
Physician’s Office Phone
443-287-4934
Professional Titles
- Director, Neurosurgical Spine Center
- Donlin M. Long Professor
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Neurological Surgery
Background
Nicholas Theodore, M.D., director of the Johns Hopkins Neurosurgical Spine Center, is a nationally recognized expert in brain and spinal cord injury, minimally invasive spine surgeries and robotics. He earned a medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed both a residency in neurosurgery and a fellowship in spinal surgery at the Barrow Neurological Institute.
As an award-winning teacher and researcher, Dr. Theodore has written or co-authored 30 book chapters, over 180 peer-reviewed journal articles and is co-holder of 10 patents for medical devices and procedures. His research focuses on trauma, spinal cord injuries, robotics and developing an understanding of the genetic and molecular basis of spinal diseases.
Dr. Theodore treats patients with a variety of spinal disorders including, trauma, Chiari malformations, spinal deformities, degenerative spine conditions and spinal cord tumors. He sees patients at both the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center and the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.
X (Twitter)
Videos
Recent News Articles and Media Coverage
Backs to the Future, Hopkins Medicine Magazine (Winter 2021)
Developing Implantable and Wearable Technology to Treat Spinal Cord Injury, NeuroLogic (Winter 2021)
‘Grateful and Impressed’ In New Memoir, Actor Michael J. Fox Tells How Johns Hopkins Neurosurgery Team Removed Large Spinal Tumor to Avert Paralysis, Dome (12/19/20)
Cross-disciplinary Team Will Design, Develop Devices to Better Treat Spinal Cord Injuries, Hub (11/11/2020)
Whitecomb Conquers Boston Marathon Seven Months After Breaking His Neck, Runner's Gazette (07/04/2019)
Johns Hopkins Leader Magazine 2019
One Robot, Zero Radiation, Healing Twice as Fast, Global Promise: Johns Hopkins Medicine International Blog (06/25/2019)
Meet the Neurosurgeon Behind a Safer Super Bowl Johns Hopkins News and Publications (01/23/2019)
NFL names Johns Hopkins' Dr. Nicholas Theodore chairman of Head, Neck and Spine Committee, Baltimore Sun (04/19/2018)
Johns Hopkins image-guided robot performs 1st spinal screw insertion: 5 observations, Becker's Spine Review (1/17/2018)
Recorded Seminar: Back and Neck Pain: When Non-Surgical Treatment Doesn’t Work
VIDEO: Complex Spinal Reconstruction - Danica's Story
Johns Hopkins Surgeons Perform First Real-Time Image-Guided Spine Surgery, Imagining Technology News (10/20/2017)
Additional Academic Titles
Professor of Pediatrics, Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Lab Website
HEPIUS Innovation Lab - Lab Website
- Named after the Greek god of medicine and healing, the HEPIUS team unites neurosurgeons, biomedical engineers, scientists, radiologists and other physicians to treat and diagnose spinal cord injuries.
Selected Publications
Kalb S, Zaidi HA, Ribas-Nijkerk JC, Sindhwani MK, Clark JC, Martirosyan NL, Theodore N: Persistent outpatient hypertension is independently associated with spinal cord dysfunction and imaging characteristics of spinal cord damage among patients with cervical spondylosis. World Neurosurg. 2015;84(2):351-7.
Kelly BP, Theodore N: What can standard in vitro biomechanical testing tell us about adjacent segment disease? World Neurosurg. 2015 Dec 15. [Epub ahead of print]
Martinez-del-Campo E, Kalb S, Soriano-Baron H, Turner JD, Neal MT, Uschold T, Theodore N: Computed tomography parameters for atlantooccipital dislocation in adult patients: The occipital condyle-C1 interval. J Neurosurg Spine. 2015 Dec 18:1-11. [Epub ahead of print]
Martirosyan NL, Kalani MY, Bichard WD, Baaj AA, Gonzalez FL, Preul MC, Theodore N: Cerebrospinal fluid drainage and induced hypertension improve spinal cord perfusion after spinal cord injury in pigs. Neurosurgery. 2015;76(4):467-8; discussion 468-9.
Martirosyan NL, Kalani MY, Lemole GM Jr, Spetzler RF, Preul MC, Theodore N: Microsurgical anatomy of the arterial basket of the conus medullaris. J Neurosurg Spine. 2015;22(6):672-6.
Mortazavi MM, Verma K, Harmon OA, Griessenauer CJ, Adeeb N, Theodore N, Tubbs RS: The microanatomy of spinal cord injury: A review. Clin Anat. 2015;28(1):27-36.
Rodriguez-Martinez NG, Perez-Orribo L, Kalb S, Reyes PM, Newcomb AG, Hughes J, Theodore N, Crawford NR: The role of obesity in the biomechanics and radiological changes of the spine: An in vitro study. J Neurosurg Spine. 2015 Dec 11:1-9. [Epub ahead of print]
Rodriguez-Martinez NG, Safavi-Abbasi S, Perez-Orribo L, Newcomb AG, Reyes PM, Loughran G, Theodore N, Crawford NR: Biomechanics of a flexible sublaminar connector in long-segment thoracic fixation. J Neurosurg Spine. 2015 Oct 13:1-7. [Epub ahead of print]
Ropper AE, Neal MT, Theodore N: Acute management of traumatic cervical spinal cord injury. Pract Neurol. 2015;15(4):266-72.
Safavi-Abbasi S, Komune N, Archer JB, Sun H, Theodore N, James J, Little AS, Nakaji P, Sughrue ME, Rhoton AL, Spetzler RF: Surgical anatomy and utility of pedicled vascularized tissue flaps for multilayered repair of skull base defects. J Neurosurg. 2015 Nov 27:1-12. [Epub ahead of print]
Soriano-Baron H, Newcomb AG, Malhotra D, de Tranaltes K, Martinez-del-Campo E, Reyes PM, Crawford NR, Theodore N, Tumialán LM: Biomechanics of nested transforaminal lumbar interbody cages. Neurosurgery. 2016;78(2):297-304.
Honors
- Mayfield Basic Science Research Award, Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral, AANS/CNS
- Timothy Harrington Neurological Surgery Teacher of the Year, Barrow Neurological Institute
- Best Doctors in America, U.S. News & World Report
- America's Top Doctors, Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.
- Compassionate Doctor Award, Vitals.com
Memberships
- AANS/CNS Joint Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves
- AANS/CNS Joint Section on Neurotrauma
- American Academy of Neurological Surgery
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons
- American College of Surgeons
- American Medical Association
- Association of Military Surgeons of the United States
- Society of Neurological Surgeons
- Society of University Neurosurgeons
Locations
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- 301 Mason Lord Drive, Suite 1201, Baltimore, MD 21224
- phone: 410-550-0465
- fax: 410-550-0748
Expertise
Education
Abrazo Central Campus Hospital
Residency, Neurological Surgery, 2001Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Residency, Neurosurgery, 1997National Institutes of Health
Fellowship, Neurological Disorders, 1995Georgetown University School of Medicine
Medical Education, MD, 1991Georgetown University School of Medicine
Graduate School, Physiology, MS, 1987Insurance
- Aetna
- CareFirst
- Cigna
- First Health
- Geisinger Health Plan
- HealthSmart/Accel
- Humana
- Johns Hopkins Health Plans
- MultiPlan
- Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
- Point Comfort Underwriters
- Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
- UnitedHealthcare
- Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)
Ratings & Reviews
4.7 out of 5
171 ratings, 70 reviewsThe Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/29/2024
The best. Period.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/29/2024
His assistant was not helpful at all. Kept asking for a test but never responded when I said I didnt know what the test was. Then cancelled my appointment! His secretary was very helpful and put it back on the schedule
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/29/2024
Excellent: kind, personable, respectful, professional!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/22/2024
He really listens and it's truly concerned. I feel he is the best doctor for me for his credentials are impeccable.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/8/2024
Doctor Theodore is one of the best you have and always works with the patient throughout the care for his patients.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/1/2024
Doctor answered all my questions and gave me an honest opinion about my condition.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/1/2024
Good questions very professional
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/1/2024
Excellent provider... Understanding and thorough. Showed real concern for the patient's welfare.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/24/2024
Dr. Theodore is always very professional, caring and concerned.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/10/2024
Dr Theodore is exceptional. He is immediately warm, personable and concerned about the issue at hand. He Is completely focused on the explanations of and treatments for the problem. He immediately established my confidence in his care for my injury.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/3/2024
Good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/3/2024
Excellent provider
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/27/2024
Dr. [ ] and Dr. Theodore are literally the best in the world! They did something no one else in Georgia felt comfortable doing. Thank you!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/27/2024
Very pleased and so glad I changed to Dr. Theodore
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/27/2024
Dr. Theodore was professional, demonstrated strong expertise within his specialty, and spent a fair amount of time speaking with us. After we advocated for his help, he offered to meet with me in person for a consult and agreed to ordering an updated MRI in an effort to determine if he could possibly help.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/20/2024
Dr Theodore is wonderful
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/20/2024
Dr. Nicholas Theodore is the best doctor ever
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/13/2024
Dr. Theodore provided outstanding care and support. He took time to ensure my pain was identified and even found the need for more care to resolve my pain.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/13/2024
Dr Theodore is a wonderful surgeon. I appreciate all of the time and care he has shown me throughout the years since my surgery.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/13/2024
FANTASTIC!He was everything I w texted from a Johns Hopkins physician.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/16/2024
Dr. Theodore is genuinely concerned about my treatment.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/16/2024
I really liked Dr. Theodore.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/16/2024
I found Dr Nicholas Theodore to be an excellent listener and seemed to really care about my issue. Although we are not going to proceed with surgery right away, we're going to do a follow up in 6 months.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2024
Dr Theodore is the most professional and courteous doctor I have ever met. His bedside manner is like none other I have encountered. He is 190 percent genuine.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2024
Dr Theodore was very thorough And took time to listen to my concerns. I would highly recommend him.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2024
They were Super/Great
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2024
Dr. Theodore was direct, thorough, and easy on o understand.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/9/2024
Very good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/2/2024
He was attentive, thorough in his examination and clear with his advice. He was familiar with the reports I had sent to Hopkins. And he was also warm and kind. Really a special physician.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/2/2024
Dr Theodore was very compassionate and understanding. He spent the time with me to explain what was needed to be done and details about the surgery. Very nice provider.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/18/2024
This was my first visit, Dr. Theodore seems to have a very good team, and he answered all my questions and concerns.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/11/2024
Great bedside manner. Dr Theodore was certain to address my questions and concerns
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/11/2024
Good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/11/2024
Dr. Theodore was very thorough in explaining things and providing a care plan and where we go from here.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/7/2024
Very satisfied with the appointment and results.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/7/2024
A wonderful visit
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/7/2024
Dr. Theodore is extremely personable, knowledgeable, caring and highly experienced.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/30/2024
Doc Theodore is the best doctor I've ever been to. Excellent surgical skills, great bedside manner, great listener. All the things you need in a great doctor.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/30/2024
He was not intimidating and he was patient with questions. I did not feel rushed or dismissed and he encouraged me to contact him either via the portal or by phone if anything changes before our next visit.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/30/2024
Professional, reputable and all I expected after a first visit from a JH medical provider.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/16/2024
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/16/2024
Professional and personable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/16/2024
Both Dr and his assistant was very nice. Explained MRI and what everything was and how it worked, what was going on in my back
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/16/2024
Dr. Theodore was friendly and informative.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/9/2024
I am very pleased with the advise and care I have received from Dr. Theodore at this point. His office was able to get me in on rather short notice, which was a huge relief for me and my family.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/9/2024
Dr Theodore is very caring and so knowledgeable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/2/2024
Very patient with my frequent portal messages
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/2/2024
I have been injured for 20 years. He fixed a botched surgery that changed my life. I couldn't walk any longer. When I left Dr. T's care, I was walking. Dr. Theodore is the best spine surgeon I've seen.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/26/2024
Dr. Theodore has great bedside manners and very thorough
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/19/2024
Professional,intelligent,respectful a true DOCTOR who knows his field of expertise! I have recommended him to many, as well as Johns Hopkins healthcare!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/12/2024
Dr. Theodore has my complete trust--a premiere board-certified neurosurgeon and head of department, who performed my cervical decompression surgery [ ] months ago. I requested to see him for a different issue. He takes the time to fully investigate, evaluate the issue enabled by imaging and experience. He explained his findings and care plan thoroughly.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/5/2024
He talks like a family. Takes time and listens to me very well.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/5/2024
Dr Theodore appears to combine the pretty unique combination of outstanding clinical skills, surgical skills, professionalism and amazing bedside manner!!! Thanks Dr Theordore
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 3/5/2024
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/27/2024
Very kind and with calming energy
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/26/2024
Very professional. Well done
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/20/2024
Dr Theodore is an amazing man. He always listens and takes what I say under consideration. I can never repay him for what he has done for my health.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/20/2024
Dr. Theodore was caring, compassionate and made me feel at ease about my surgery. Excellent patient care skills.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/20/2024
Very professional
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/20/2024
He's excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/13/2024
Very good provider
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/6/2024
World class surgeon who deeply cares about the ultimate outcome of his work.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/6/2024
Dr.Theodore possesses an outstanding bedside manner that made me feel relaxed and confident in his abilities to get me well again.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/30/2024
Very good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/30/2024
Dr. Theodore is a great doctor. I found him kind and compassionate and very supportive.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/30/2024
Just a great and comfortable visit.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/23/2024
Dr Theodore was everything I wanted in a surgeon
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2024
Dr. Theodore gave me confidence and hope in that he ordered tests that had never been done in the two and a half years since my surgery. He appreciated that I had been through a lot of stress and medical procedures during that time trying without success to figure out why I have constant headaches and falling episodes. I am grateful to him for listening to me and considering new options.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 1/16/2024
Great visit with Dr Theodore, he is excellent in getting to the point, he listens and his recommendations are clearly explained. Excellent bed side manner. One of the best doctors I have ever had.