David H. Strothman, M.D.

As a college junior, Dr. Strothman did research with an orthopedic traumatologist at Hennepin County; his work led to a published paper. “It was great experience,” he remembers. “I got to follow people in the OR and hang out with the residents. That’s when I knew I wanted to be in orthopedics.”

Choosing spine as a specialty

During his orthopedic residency, he studied hip and knee replacements, but spine was the area that intrigued him. “It was hard and challenging,” he remembers. “Some people were absolutely incapacitated. You confront a puzzle trying to figure out what is going on and what is causing pain. If you solve the puzzle correctly, you are able to give your patients an absolutely life-changing intervention. Spine was an area where I could really make a difference in people’s lives. That was what I wanted to do.”

Collaboration with nonsurgical spine specialists

As part of Summit’s spine team, Dr. Strothman emphasizes the importance—and singularity—of Summit’s approach to spine care. “If we look at spine care as a whole, 90 to 95 percent of all spine care is nonsurgical. Given that, it’s common sense for spine surgeons like me to work closely in a practice with nonsurgical spine physicians to provide a full range of treatment options for patients who don’t need an operation. We actively collaborate to provide the absolute best nonsurgical care that we can, and when necessary, we also provide the most innovative surgical care.

Discover Summit’s technologically advanced and award-winning spine surgical care

• Learn more: Superior Surgical Safety Recognized by Joint Commission Award

Understanding your options

“I am happy to see any patient with neck or back pain—not just people with confirmed surgical problems,” says Dr. Strothman. “I’ll take your medical history, evaluate your condition, and discuss your options. If you have arthritis, disc wear and tear, or degenerative disease for which surgery is not appropriate, I’m not going to recommend surgery. I’ll suggest that you visit with one of our nonsurgical spine physicians to discuss other avenues that may help you manage a problem that is real and painful and interfering with your life. When surgery is the best treatment for a condition, I am committed to offering comprehensive minimally-invasive spine surgery that minimizes collateral damage to the muscles and tissues around the spine.

Spine Surgery – Expert resources from Dr. David Strothman:

• Understand more about: Guidelines for Evaluating Surgical Risks

Spine Fusion – Helping you make educated decisions – Ask Dr. Strothman:

• Get the answer: What is Spinal Fusion Surgery?
• Learn more: What Is A Minimally Invasive Spine Fusion?

Most satisfying aspect of being a physician

“The great part of my job is that I get to help people every day and make a measurable significant difference in people’s lives,” he says. “I am really proud of the collaborative spine practice model we’ve developed to make sure our patients have access to all of the treatment options spine medicine has to offer. I enjoy my time in clinic with patients and figuring out what’s causing people’s problems. And I really enjoy seeing them get better. That is, bar none, the best.”