Russell W. Nelson, M.D.
Founder and Medical Director

Russell W. Nelson, M.D. is founder and medical director of the newly opened, state-of-the art Nelson Spine Institute in Thousand Oaks, California. As one of the premier orthopedic specialists in complex spine care in the country, Dr. Nelson brings his expertise directly to patients in and around the Ventura County community, as well as across the U.S. The Institute provides comprehensive care of the spine where Dr. Nelson uses the latest technology as a foundation for helping patients.

In addition to his extensive experience in orthopedic surgery, Dr. Nelson is a co-developer of Blackstone cervical and lumbar artificial discs, a research accomplishment that will vastly increase solutions to spinal disorders. The first artificial cervical disc, for which Dr. Nelson is developing the operating brochure, will be implanted in May 2007 in Brazil.

An active complex spine surgeon for 23 years, Dr. Russell Nelson has performed thousands of surgical procedures to treat adult cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine problems for pain, scoliosis and spinal injury and fracture. Sought out by many professional organizations for his medical expertise, Dr. Nelson has given more than 50 presentations and is the author of 20 full-length peer-reviewed journals and medical texts focusing on reconstructive orthopedic surgery and spine disorders.

Since his certification by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery in 1985 and as a physician, surgeon and healthcare executive, Dr. Nelson has been active in several prestigious professional associations including the North American Spine Society, the Spine Arthroplasty Society and the American Spinal Injury Association.

Dr. Nelson graduated from Rush Medical College in 1977 after completing a special three-year program. Upon finishing his studies, he completed an internship at the University of California, San Francisco in general surgery in 1978, a residency in general surgery in 1979 and a residency in the specialty of orthopedic surgery in 1982.

Subsequently, Dr. Nelson completed two distinguished fellowships through the University of Southern California from 1982 to1983, first at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, where he has been a part of the faculty for more than 20 years teaching surgical techniques to spinal surgeons and spine fellows, and then at Kerlan/Jobe Orthopedic Clinic for adult spinal problems. Through an alliance with the University of Southern California, Dr. Nelson continuously participates in teaching surgery to spine fellows as a clinical instructor for spinal injury service.

Dr. Nelson’s complete Curriculum Vitae is available upon request.