Research

Research and Outcomes

Dr. Patton studies what matters to patients: how well they function after surgery and how to deliver that care safely. He also tracks his own patients' results.

Why this matters

Most surgeons don't show you their results

Measuring how patients actually do after surgery takes time, staff and follow-up, so many practices don't do it routinely. Even fewer share the results publicly.

Dr. Patton has asked his patients to report their own function with PROMIS surveys since 2020, and he puts the results here so you can see them before you decide.

  • Measured by patients, not the surgeon. Patients answer the surveys themselves.
  • Validated NIH questionnaires. PROMIS is a standard developed by the National Institutes of Health.
  • Before and after surgery. Surveys before surgery, then at 3 months and 1 year.
  • Shared openly. The numbers above include every patient who completed both surveys.
Featured

Featured publications

Patient-reported outcomes

Recovery Trajectories After Lumbar Fusion Stratified by Baseline PROMIS Physical Function Disability Levels

How recovery after lumbar fusion differs depending on how disabled patients are before surgery, measured with PROMIS Physical Function.

International Journal of Spine Surgery · 2025Read on PubMed →Outpatient surgery & value

Outcomes and Cost-Effectiveness of Hospital Outpatient Versus Ambulatory Surgery Center Lumbar Decompression Surgery

Compares outcomes and costs of lumbar decompression performed at an ambulatory surgery center versus a hospital outpatient department.

Global Spine Journal · 2024Read on PubMed →Getting patients to the right care

Addressing the Challenge of Spine Patient Triage: Development of a Simple Algorithm for Identification of Potential Surgical Candidates

A simple tool to identify which referred spine patients are likely surgical candidates, so others reach non-surgical care sooner.

Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons · 2024Read on PubMed →
Most recent

Most recent publications

Cervical surgery

Midterm Outcomes of Revision Anterior Fusion Versus Cervical Disc Arthroplasty After Prior Single-Level Anterior Cervical Fusion

Compares revision fusion with cervical disc replacement when the level next to a prior neck fusion wears out.

The Spine Journal · 2025Read on PubMed →Patient-reported outcomes

The Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on One-Year Patient-Reported Outcomes After Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Examines how metabolic syndrome relates to patient-reported outcomes one year after lumbar fusion.

North American Spine Society Journal · 2025Read on PubMed →Recovery

Higher Postoperative Mobility and Activity (AM-PAC 6 Clicks) Are Associated with Improved Outcomes After Lumbar Fusion

Links early mobility after lumbar fusion, measured in the hospital, with patients' later outcomes.

Spine Surgery and Related Research · 2024Read on PubMed →Whole-patient care

Are We Considering the Whole Patient? The Impact of Physical and Mental Health on the Outcomes of Spine Care

Looks at how patients' overall physical and mental health shape their results from spine care.

Spine · 2023Read on PubMed →Pain management

The Effect of Preoperative, Low-Dose Intrathecal Morphine on Patient Outcomes Following Lumbar Fusion Surgery

Studies a low-dose spinal pain medication given before lumbar fusion and its effect on recovery.

International Journal of Spine Surgery · 2023Read on PubMed →Pain management

Predictive Risk Factors Associated With Increased Opioid Use Among Patients Undergoing Elective Spine Surgery

Identifies which patients are at higher risk of heavier opioid use after elective spine surgery.

International Journal of Spine Surgery · 2020Read on PubMed →

See all publications on PubMed →

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