Christopher Martin, MD

After high school, Dr. Martin attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. During his time in Madison, Dr. Martin was an active researcher, and learned genetic laboratory techniques which he applied studying plant virology and prostate cancer. His research efforts were granted a Hilldale Research Award in 2005. He graduated with numerous academic honors, including a 4.0 GPA, a nomination to the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, multiple CALS Merit Awards, and a special designation for honors in research. In 2006, he was named the Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Most Outstanding Student.

After undergrad, Dr. Martin moved to Baltimore Maryland, where he studied medicine at one of the foremost medical institutions in the world, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He graduated in 2011, and was nominated to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society (AOA). AOA membership is among the highest honors for graduating students and is granted for a combination of high academic standing, leadership, professionalism, a firm sense of ethics, promise of future success in medicine, and a commitment to service in the school and community. During his time in Medical School, Dr. Martin continued his research efforts and published manuscripts studying the impact of cement augmentation on the incidence of proximal junctional kyphosis after spine surgery, as well as on rare tumors of the sacrum.

After medical school, Dr. Martin matched into orthopedic residency at the University of Iowa. Residency continued to be an academically productive time for Dr. Martin. His research focused on issues related to quality and value in the changing healthcare arena, as well as on patient outcomes with an emphasis on risk factors for complications. Overall, he has authored or co-authored over 40 pubmed citable manuscripts, and has been the PI or Co-PI on four major grants including two from the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation, and one each from the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and the Iowa Orthopaedic Society. He also contributed with leadership in orthopedics, serving as a member of the Publications Committee for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and as a grant reviewer for the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation.

After residency, Dr. Martin completed the prestigious fellowship program in Spine Surgery at Emory University in Atlanta. He subsequently joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota. His mission is to provide care for patients with spinal conditions that helps to relieve pain and restore function with the least invasive technique available.

PATIENT EDUCATION

Dr. Martin encourages his patients to be active in their care. Improved knowledge and awareness can improve outcomes, both with conservative care and also following surgery.

The following is a collection of resources from the North American Spine Society and The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Please use these resources to learn more about common spinal conditions and their treatments.

Spinal Anatomy and Spine Health:

Anatomy Basics

Prevention of Back Pain

Back Pain and Pregnancy

Backpacks And Spine Health

Common Spinal Diseases:

Low Back Pain in Adults

Back Pain in Children

Cauda Equina Syndrome

Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve In The Neck)

Cervical Spondylosis (Arthritis of the Neck)

Cervical Myelopathy (Spinal Cord Compression)

Congenital Muscular Torticollis (Twisted Neck)

Disc Herniation

Idiopathic Scoliosis in Children and Adolescents

Scoliosis Frequently Asked Questions

Kyphosis (Roundback) of the Spine

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Neck Pain

Sciatica (Pinched Nerve In the Low Back)

Osteoporosis

Lumbar Spondylosis and Spondylolisthesis

Spinal Deformity in Children With Myelomeningocele

Testing Options:

Specialized Nerve Tests

MRI

Discography

Radiographs

Electrodiagnostic Testing

Treatment Options:

Treatment Options For Low Back Pain

Low Back Pain Exercises

Epidural Steroid Injections

Facet Joint Injections

Chiropractic Care

Physical Therapy

Spine Conditioning Program

Preparing For Low Back Surgery

Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion (PLF)

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (XLIF)

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion (ACDF)

Anterior Cervical Disc Replacement (ACDR)

Bone Grafts in Spine Surgery

Cervical Myelopathy: Treatment Options

Cervical Laminoplasty

Cervical Foraminotomy

Lumbar Discectomy

Spinal Fusion Glossary

Spinal Injections

Spinal Fusion