Meet Hans Zhang, MD

Education

• Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC
  Medical School
• Washington University in St. Louis, MO
  B.A. in Biology (Biochemistry)

Training

• Fellowship
  Leatherman Spine Center, Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY
• Residency
  Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University Hospitals, Durham, NC

Professional Affiliations

• Member
  American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Member
  North American Spine Society

Awards

• Research Award,
  The Piedmont Orthopaedic Foundation
• Resident Traveling Award
  American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society
• Dean’s Merit Scholarship
  Duke University School of Medicine
• Anthony V. Seaber Student Fellowship Award
  Piedmont Orthopaedic Society
• University Scholar in Medicine (Combined BA-MD program)
  Washington University in St. Louis
• Scholar
  AMGEN Foundation
• Research Scholar
  Siteman Cancer Center Summer

1. The Role of Anterior Spine Surgery in Deformity Correction(opens in a new tab)
2. Zhang H, Dial B, Brown C. Early Fusion Rates after Direct Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Int J Spine Surgery. 2021 Jun;15(3):423-428
3. Wang TY, Park C, Zhang H, Rahimpour S, Murphy KR, Goodwin CR, Karikari I, Than KD, Shaffrey CI, Foster N, Abd-El-Barr M. Management of Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: A Review of the Literature. Frontiers in Surgery. Dec 2021
4. Cesar Netto C, Shakoor D, Dein EJ, Zhang H, Thawait G, Richter M, Ficke JR, Schon LC, Weightbearing CT International Study Group. Influence of investigator experience on reliability of adult acquired flatfoot deformity measurements using weightbearing computed tomography. Foot Ankle Surg. 2019;25(4):495- 502
5. Zhang H, Heckelman LN, Spritzer CE, Owusu-Akyaw KA, Martin JT, Taylor DC, Moorman CT 3rd, Garrigues GE, DeFrate LE. In Vivo Assessment of Exercise-Induced Glenohumeral Cartilage Strain. Orthop J Sports Med. 2018;6(7):2325967118784518.
6. Zhang H, Fletcher A, Scott D, Nunley J. Avascular Osteonecrosis of the Talus: Current Treatment Strategies. Foot and Ankle Int. In press. Sept 2021

Q&A with Dr. Zhang

What are some of the most common spinal conditions that you treat?

I treat spine conditions from the neck to the sacrum - frequently this means degenerative conditions such as arthritis or herniated discs, which can be seen along with nerve or spinal cord compression (myelopathy). I also take care of patients with scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, which can be seen in both pediatric and adult patients.

What drew you to join the team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists? What excites you about working at the practice?

The doctors that I admired growing up were always part of my community, taking care of the people that they worked and lived next to. That is part and parcel of this Barrington Orthopedic group’s history and mission, one that I’m excited to join. I’m honored to work alongside all of the talented physicians, and I’m looking forward to taking care of our community.

Could you discuss any innovations or advancements in spinal surgery that you're particularly excited about?

We are constantly refining our understanding of the spine and how to better take care of it. This includes at the time of surgery with motion-preserving procedures such as disc arthroplasty or laminoplasty, or less invasive techniques to achieve the same goals. It also includes everything leading up to and after the surgery to help patients recover better and quicker. All of these things combined mean that we are constantly working to improve how we take care of our patients.

What is the most rewarding part of being a spine surgeon?

The most satisfying part of my work is hearing a patient get back to their lives and getting better, either with or without surgery. That’s always the goal everyday, and it’s truly a privilege to help care for our patients.

What advice do you have for patients who want to maintain the health of their spine?

Just like maintaining your overall health, taking care of your spine is a lifelong journey, and it doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Staying active to maintain your strength and endurance will help support your spine, and as one ages, regular check ups to maintain your bone mineral density to prevent osteoporosis will also go a long way in preventing injuries.

Tell us one fun fact about yourself!

I enjoy cycling and running in my spare time, and top of the list right now is to run the Chicago marathon soon!