Christopher I. Shaffrey, MD - Chief, Spine Division

About Christopher I. Shaffrey, MD

Dr. Christopher Shaffrey is Chief of the Duke Spine Division, combining the departments of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedic Surgery. Dr. Shaffrey is board certified in both neurological surgery and orthopaedic surgery in practice at the Duke Spine Center in Durham, NC.

Dr. Shaffrey received his medical degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and completed his surgical internship at the Naval Hospital of San Diego, CA. His residencies in neurosurgery and orthopaedic surgery were at the University of Virginia Medical Center, where he completed a spine fellowship in pediatric and adult reconstructive spine surgery.

Known worldwide, Dr. Shaffrey has contributed to scientific scholarship by presenting research at national and international meetings, publishing chapters in medical books, and consistently contributing scientific papers to premier medical journals. He has an active interest in spinal surgery, pediatric and adult scoliosis, spinal cord injury, spinal trauma, and spinal tumors.

An active member of many prestigious neurosurgical and spinal societies, he currently serves as the Chair of the International Meeting of Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST), President-Elect of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), and Director of the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS).

Articles Written by Christopher I. Shaffrey, MD

Common Ankylosing Spondylitis Questions

Spinal surgeon who answers questions about ankylosing spondylitis causes, AS pain and symptoms, and treatment options.

Non-Surgical Treatments for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis seldom requires spine surgery. Many nonoperative treatments include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, aquatic therapy, stretching, exercise, and posture training.

Ankylosing Spondylitis: Description and Diagnosis

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis condition that can affect the spine. Spine expert-written article on ankylosing spondylitis and how it's diagnosed.

Scoliosis in Children

Scoliosis is a medical term taken from a Greek word meaning curvature. This disease often develops during childhood, and it causes the spine to curve laterally (to the side) to the left or right.

Exams and Tests for Ankylosing Spondylitis

The diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) requires an in-depth review of your medical and family history, physical and neurological examinations, blood tests, and imaging studies, such as x-ray or MRI.

Ankylosing Spondylitis: Treatment and Recovery

Treatment for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is aimed at relieving the patient's symptoms and preventing spinal deformity.

Symptoms of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic disease that develops slowly.

Anatomy of Ankylosing Spondylitis

A solid understanding of your spinal anatomy will help you understand how ankylosing spondylitis (AS) affects your spine. Learn about the different spinal regions where AS can cause inflammation and fused bones.

Surgery for Ankylosing Spondylitis

Seldom is surgery needed to treat ankylosing spondylitis, however, here are 4 indications your surgeon may consider before recommending spine surgery.

Osteoarthritis: Treatment Options

People with osteoarthritis can enjoy good health despite having this disease. Although there is no 'cure' for osteoarthritis, the symptoms can be treated.

Osteoarthritis: Commonly Affected Joints

Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint but most often occurs in the spine, hips, knees, or hands.

Osteoarthritis: Degenerative Spinal Joint Disease

Spinal osteoarthritis, also called spondylosis, affects your spinal joints and can cause back pain or neck pain. Learn the causes and symptoms of spondylosis.

Causes of Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing Spondylitis possibly has a connection to certain bacteria.

What is Ankylosing Spondylitis?

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by pain and progressive stiffness. It mainly affects the spine, but it can affect other areas of the body, too. Get an overview of this spinal condition here.