Patient Resources
Dr. Robert Ryu is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with fellowship training in Spine Surgery. He received his bachelor’s degree in bioengineering with highest honors from the University of California, Berkeley, and went on to earn his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Ryu completed his orthopedic surgery residency at The Ohio State University. Following residency, Dr. Ryu completed the renowned Spinal Surgery Fellowship Program at Cedars-Sinai Spine Center in Los Angeles, California – a combined orthopaedic-neurosurgical spine surgery fellowship that provides comprehensive training in adult and adolescent spinal disorders.
Dr. Ryu has extensive training in minimally invasive surgery, cervical and lumbar disc arthroplasty, motion preservation technology, and navigation-guided and robotic-assisted spinal surgery to treat degenerative spinal disorders, spinal deformity and spinal trauma.
A productive researcher as well, Dr. Ryu has numerous publications on advanced spine technology, including artificial disc replacements and stem cell therapies. Dr. Ryu also authored a book chapter in the textbook “Robotic and Navigated Spine Surgery.”
In addition to his traditional medical career, Dr. Ryu has served as a medical officer and an F-16 flight surgeon in the United States Air Force and in the Ohio Air National Guard. A decorated combat veteran, Dr. Ryu deployed with the 77th Fighter Squadron to Kandahar, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 2012-2013. He continues to serve as a senior flight surgeon in the 112th Fighter Squadron – Toledo Ohio Air National Guard.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Patient Education Videos
Commonly Treated Conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease of the Spine
- Low Back (Lumbar) Pain
- Neck Pain
- Spinal Osteoarthritis, Spondylosis
- Kyphosis (Roundback)
- Cervical Myelopathy – Spinal Cord Compression
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spinal Radiculopathy – Lumbar and Cervical
- Chronic Low Back Pain
- Chronic Neck Pain
- Herniated Cervical (Neck) Disc, Herniated Lumbar (Low Back) Disc
Commonly Performed Procedures
- Lumbar Micro Discectomy
- Non-operative Low Back Pain Treatment
- Minimally Invasive Spine Procedures
- Epidural Steroid Injections
- Spinal Fusion (Lumbar)
- Spinal Decompression Surgery
- Cervical Disc Replacement (aka Cervical Total Disc Arthroplasty)
- Lumbar Disc Replacement (aka Lumbar Total Disc Arthroplasty)
Clinic Location
Surgery Locations
Education
-
Undergraduate:
University of California, Berkeley, California -
Medical School:
University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois -
Orthopedic Residency:
The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio -
Fellowship:
Combined Orthopedic-Neurosurgical Spine Surgery, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California -
Board Certification :
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Titles, Honors & Awards
-
Title
Senior Flight Surgeon in the 112th Fighter Squadron - Toledo Ohio Air National Guard - Assistant Professor, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Department of Orthopaedics
-
Awards
Becker's Spine Review Award
Associations
- Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA)
- International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS)
- Mid-America Orthopedic Association (MAOA)
- Society of Military Orthopedic Surgeons (SMOS)
- Society of United States Air Force Flight Surgeons (USAFFS)
- Aerospace Medical Association (AMA)
- Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS)
- Korean-American Scientist and Engineers Association (KSEA)
- National Endurance Sports Trainers Association (NESTA)
Research & Teaching
-
Clinical Educator
Ohio University DO School - OhioHealth Family Practice and Orthopedic Surgery Residency Programs
- Published writer in the medical community including in "World Neurosurgery"
Patient Reviews
Related Blog Articles
Ranked #1 in Ohio and Top 5 in the Nation for Orthopedics
From Pain to Possibility: Our Approach to Neck and Spine Health
From Head to Toe: Resolutions for Musculoskeletal Health
The Impact of Tech Neck: Addressing the Strain of Modern Living
Orthopedic ONE named #1 in Ohio, and #3 in the Nation for Orthopedics
SHOULD I USE ICE OR HEAT TO REDUCE MY LOW BACK PAIN?
Spine Surgeon Dr. Robert Ryu named to Becker’s Spine Review ’50 Spine Surgeons to Know’
Orthopedic ONE Spine Surgeon, Robert Ryu, M.D., featured in Becker’s Spine Review as a Spine Surgeon Leader to Know
Experiencing Back Pain? How Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery May Help
Robert Ryu, M.D. to Present at Live Yes! Arthritis Showcase Virtual Conference
Our newest physicians featured in Columbus Monthly’s Health Magazine
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see an orthopedic specialist?
Consider seeing an orthopedic specialist when pain persists, limits your movement or interferes with daily activities. A specialist can identify the cause and discuss surgical and nonsurgical treatment options. Traumatic bone or joint injuries caused by an accident or fall may require immediate orthopedic trauma and fracture care.
What is the difference between an orthopedic surgeon and a sports medicine physician?
An orthopedic surgeon treats conditions affecting the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons and can perform surgery when necessary. Sports medicine focuses on preventing and rehabilitating activity-related injuries.
Orthopedic ONE’s sports medicine program includes primary care sports medicine physicians, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons, athletic trainers and physical therapists. The right provider depends on the condition and whether surgical expertise may be needed.
Can physical therapy help me avoid surgery?
Yes. Physical therapy is often a first-line treatment for musculoskeletal pain and injuries. A treatment plan may include therapeutic exercise, manual treatment, pain-relief techniques, activity changes and injury-prevention education.
For some patients with osteoarthritis, physical therapy and other conservative treatments may help delay or avoid joint-replacement surgery. Learn more about Orthopedic ONE’s approach to joint preservation.