Lee H. Riley III, MD
Spine Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Highlights
Johns Hopkins Affiliations:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty
About Lee H. Riley III
Professional Titles
- Chief Medical Officer, Musculoskeletal Service Line
- Vice Director, Clinical Operations
- Zadek Family Professorship in Orthopaedic Surgery
Primary Academic Title
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Background
Dr. Lee Hunter Riley III is a professor of orthopaedic surgery and neurological surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He serves as vice director of clinical operations in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He specializes in surgical treatments for spinal disorders and injuries.
Dr. Riley received his M.D. from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1986. Following a residency in orthopaedic surgery and a fellowship in spinal surgery at Johns Hopkins, he completed a second fellowship in spinal surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine in 1993.
In addition to clinical interests in the cervical spine and adult spinal disorders, his research interests include disc degeneration, metastatic disease, vertebroplasty and cervical spine disorder.
Dr. Riley has authored or co-authored over 100 scholarly publications.
Centers and Institutes
Spine Outcomes Research Center
Videos
Additional Academic Titles
Professor of Neurological Surgery
Research Interests
Cervical spine disorder, Disc degeneration, Metastatic disease, Vertebroplasty
Selected Publications
Bian Q, Jain A, Xu X, Kebaish K, Crane JL, Zhang Z, Wan M, Ma L, Riley LH, Sponseller PD, Guo XE, Lu WW, Wang Y, Cao X. Excessive Activation of TGFβ by Spinal Instability Causes Vertebral Endplate Sclerosis. Sci Rep. 2016 Jun 3;6:27093. doi: 10.1038/srep27093. PMID: 27256073
Purvis TE, Andreou E, Neuman BJ, Riley LH 3rd, Skolasky RL. Concurrent Validity and Responsiveness of PROMIS Health Domains Among Patients Presenting for Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2017 Dec 1;42(23):E1357-E1365. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002347. PMID: 28742757
Purvis TE, Neuman BJ, Riley LH 3rd, Skolasky RL. Can Early Patient-Reported Outcomes be Used to Identify Patients at Risk for Poor 1-Year Health Outcomes After Lumbar Laminectomy with Arthrodesis? Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2017 Dec 5. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000002522. PMID: 29215506
Skolasky RL, Maggard AM, Li D, Riley LH 3rd, Wegener ST. Health behavior change counseling in surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Part I: improvement in rehabilitation engagement and functional outcomes. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2015 Jul;96(7):1200-7. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2015.03.009. Epub 2015 Mar 28. PMID: 25827657
Wang KY, Idowu O, Thompson CB, Orman G, Myers C, Riley LH 3rd, Carrino JA, Flammang A, Gilson W, Sadowsky CL, Izbudak I. Tract-Specific Diffusion Tensor Imaging in Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Before and After Decompressive Spinal Surgery: Preliminary Results. Clin Neuroradiol. 2017 Mar;27(1):61-69. doi: 10.1007/s00062-015-0418-7. Epub 2015 Jun 24. PMID: 26104273
Locations
- Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center
- 601 North Caroline Street, Suite 5009, Baltimore, MD 21287
- phone: 443-997-2663
- fax: 410-614-1451
- Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center - Green Spring Station, Lutherville
- 10803 Falls Road, Pavilion III STE 2100, Lutherville, MD 21093
- phone: 443-997-2663
- fax: 443-769-1281
Expertise
Education
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Fellowship, Spinal Surgery, 1993Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Residency, Orthopaedic Surgery, 1991Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Medical Education, MD, 1986Board Certifications
Orthopaedic Surgery
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, 1995Insurance
- 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
4.8 out of 5
112 ratings, 38 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 3/14/2025
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 2/19/2025
Excellence in service and surgery.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/16/2024
Very Professional, Personable, and easy to communicate with!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/9/2024
Dr. Riley is the model of an excellent physician. He took time to listen to me and explained things in an understandable manner.
- 4 out of 5 starsReviewed on 12/9/2024
I really appreciated his knowledge and experience. He was very helpful and provided information on additional resources.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 11/8/2024
Dr. Riley is excellent!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/14/2024
Caring, asked good questions.i forgot to mention I wear lidocaine patches every day. He did not recommend a back brace.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/14/2024
Very good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 10/4/2024
Very knowledgeable and thorough
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/27/2024
Knowledgeable & Professional
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/27/2024
I rate Dr Riley very high and have referred him to several friends who suffer from similar conditions that I suffered from!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/23/2024
Dr Riley, PA [ ] - top notch and compassionate
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/16/2024
It is said that the mark of a good surgeon is those cases that are NOT done. In this case Dr. Riley decided not to operate on me because at this time my symptoms did not warrant it. Great job!!
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 9/5/2024
Took time to discuss any questions I had.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/26/2024
Very good doctor, help me understand what is going on
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 8/12/2024
Dr. Riley is the epitome of excellence.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/12/2024
Excellent experience with Dr. Riley, very professional, listens to any concerns, incredible knowledge in his field
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/12/2024
Excellent listener, clearly explained the procedure and why I should go through with this surgery, despite the risks. Very personable. I feel very comfortable in his presence and with his Expertise in the field..
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 7/1/2024
Dr. Riley was patient and personable. Provided sound recommendations for my care plan going forward that were easy to understand.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/17/2024
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 6/3/2024
Great doctor, very helpful and not pushing operations or drugs.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/24/2024
Excellent
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/20/2024
Excellent
- 3 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/20/2024
Tunnel vision as to my concern about the results of my L-spine exiting nerve roots identified in the MRI as recorded in my chart.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/13/2024
Dr. Riley gave me back quality of life and the ability to move about freely and without pain.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/6/2024
Excellent Dr Lee Riley III and [Staff]
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 5/6/2024
Very nice people
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/29/2024
All very good
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/29/2024
Dr Riley was very caring and attentive to my concerns
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/29/2024
Professional, kind, knowledgeable
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/29/2024
Professional, respectful, and personable.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/26/2024
Dr. Riley has consistently been a very compassionate and excellent physician. He is the only physician that I am trusting to provide surgery and follow-up for my back.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/26/2024
Dr Riley listened extensively to my history and gave me a full physical examination for my areas of concern. He looked at my scans, ordered further testing that was needed and explained in detail his findings and opinions. I appreciate all of the time he spent with me and the guidance he is providing as we work towards a diagnosis. He was excellent to see and provided plenty of insight, which I have not had up to this point from other doctors outside of JH.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/22/2024
Excellent - knowledgeable and courteous
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/22/2024
Dr. Riley is kind, thorough and easily accessible through his PA, Natalie and the portal.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/15/2024
Dr.Riley was the only surgeon to recommend a select surgical procedure that gave me back my quality of life with no limitations, and I interviewed half a dozen, well known neurosurgeons.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/12/2024
I have complete trust in Dr. Riley to operate on my spine.
- 5 out of 5 starsReviewed on 4/4/2024
Dr . Riley provided very concerned, compassionate and expert care and advice.