Robert T. Vraney, M.D.

Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon

Dr. Vraney is a fellowship-trained, board certified orthopaedic spine surgeon. He has extensive experience and expertise in the surgical and non-surgical treatment of diseases and disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. Dr. Vraney has a particular interest in degenerative conditions of the cervical and lumbar spine including disc disease and spinal stenosis. He is well-versed in the latest surgical techniques, including minimally invasive spinal surgery.

“I take a personal, interactive approach to patient care. Each patient is an individual with unique circumstances, goals, and expectations. The common denominator is the need to understand their condition, its causes, its natural history, and its treatment options. Patients are often surprised to learn that the majority of problems can be treated without surgery. The educational component of our interaction is vitally important, as it allows patients to become maximally involved with their medical decisions.”

When not taking care of patients, Dr. Vraney enjoys spending time with his wife and their two boys. His hobbies include golf, travel, home improvement tasks, and following his beloved Chicago sports teams.

www.understandspinesurgery.com

Certifications

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery 
Certification Date: 9/2002
Expiration Date: 12/31/2022

Medical Education

1998–1999
University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, Colorado
Fellowship – Orthopaedic Spinal Surgery 

1994–1998
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Orthopaedic Surgery Residency 

1993–1994
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
General Surgery Internship

1989–1993
University of Illinois College of Medicine, Champaign and Peoria, Illinois
Doctor of Medicine 

1985–1989
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology

Teaching Appointments/Presentations

3/2005
Bone Graft Extenders and Substitutes
Presented as Member of Teaching Faculty
First Annual Emerging Technologies in Spine Surgery
Telluride, Colorado

6/2001
Cervical Spine Disorders
Presented as Member of Teaching Faculty
University of Chicago Primary Care Orthopaedics Course
Chicago, Illinois

10/2000
Central and Juxta-Endplate Vertebral Body Screw Placement: A Biomechanical Analysis in a Human Cadaveric Model
Paper Presentation
Also Presented at the Scoliosis Research Society 35th Annual Meeting, Cairns, Australia

10/1999
Biomechanics of Anterior vs. Posterior Plating of the Occipitocervical Junction
Poster Presentation
Also Presented at the Cervical Spine Research Society Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington
An Algorithm for Treatment of Deformity of the Craniocervical Junction
Poster Presentation
Radiographic and Biomechanical Analysis of Multilevel Smith-Robinson vs. Corpectomy Reconstruction of the Cervical Spine: A Human Cadaveric Model
Paper Presentation

10/1997
Peridiscal Vascular Anatomy of the Lumbar Spine: An Endoscopic Perspective
Presented at the North American Spine Society Annual Meeting
New York, New York

3/1996
Intra- and Inter-observer Variations of Ankle Fracture Classifications
Presented at 54th annual Scientific Seminar of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
New Orleans, Louisiana

3/1997
Intra- and Inter-observer Variations of Ankle Fracture Classifications
Presented at American Orthopaedic Association Residents’ Conference
New York, New York

2/1993
Retrograde Transurethral Thermal Ablation of the Prostate as a Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy in a Canine Model
Presented at the International Meeting of the Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiologists
New Orleans, Louisiana

Honors

  • Alpha Omega Alpha, 1992
  • James Scholar (Honors Program Based upon Academic Achievement and Research)
  • General Assembly Scholarship, 1991–1992
  • Harlan Buckby Medical Scholarship (Sigma Chi Fraternity)
  • University of Michigan
    • Branstrom Freshman Prize (Top 5% of Freshman Class)
    • Class Honors (Dean’s List) Seven Semesters
    • Balfour Award (Outstanding Senior, Sigma Chi Fraternity)
    • Graduate of High Distinction