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Michael H. Weber, MD, PhD, FRCSCAssociate Professor of Surgery (Visiting)
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Dr. Michael H. Weber is a professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UConn Health and a practicing spine surgeon at the UConn Musculoskeletal Institute and Surgery Center. He joined UConn Health after a distinguished academic and clinical career in Canada, where he served as associate professor of surgery at McGill University’s Montreal General Hospital and associate professor of neurosurgery at the Montreal Neurological Institute.
Dr. Weber completed his spine fellowship in San Francisco, California, and, in addition to his MD, holds a PhD from the National Research Council of Canada, where his doctoral research focused on early MRI diagnosis of spinal bone metastases.
His clinical expertise includes complex spinal tumor resection and reconstruction, adult spinal deformity, cervical myelopathy, and minimally invasive spine surgery. He is deeply committed to education and mentorship, having supervised more than 50 trainees and fellows in clinical spine surgery and research.
Internationally recognized for his contributions to spine oncology, spinal trauma, and degenerative spine conditions, Dr. Weber has authored hundreds of publications and multiple book chapters and has received numerous national and international awards. His research focuses on personalized surgical reconstruction for spinal defects, tumors, advanced imaging techniques for the spinal column, and the development of bioactive implants for bone regeneration.
Dr. Weber is an active member of the AO Spine Tumor Knowledge Forum, a global consortium of spine oncology experts, and has served on multiple educational and fellowship committees within AO Spine North America. Dr. Weber is frequently invited to speak at international spine congresses and has led numerous teaching courses for residents and fellows throughout North America.
| Degree | Institution | Major |
|---|---|---|
| BSc | University of British Columbia | Cell Biology & Genetics |
| MSc | University of Manitoba | Department of Anatomy and Cell Science |
| MD | University of Manitoba | Medicine |
| PhD | University of Manitoba | Early MRI Diagnosis of Bone Metastases in the Spine |
Post-Graduate Training
| Training | Institution | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Residency | University of British Columbia | Orthopedic Surgery |
| Fellowship | University of California | Spine Surgery |
Awards
| Name of Award/Honor | Awarding Organization |
|---|---|
| Luiz Vialle AO Spine Knowledge Forum Award 2025 for Surgical Oncology | |
| Editor’s Choice Paper Global Spine Journal May 2024: Morphological Changes of Deep Extensor Neck Muscles in Relation to the Maximum Level of Cord Compression and Canal Compromise in Patients With Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy | |
| Editor’s Choice Paper for Journal of Neurosurgery June 2023: Perception of Frailty in Spinal Metastatic Disease: International Survey of the AO Spine Community | |
| Editor’s Choice Paper for Journal of Neurosurgery February 2023: Timing of Recovery After Surgery for Patients With Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: An Observational Study From the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network | |
| Top International Spine Paper for the Year Award: Metastatic Spine Disease: Should Patients With Short Life Expectancy Be Denied Surgical Care? An International Retrospective Cohort Study | |
| Global Spine Journal Top 10 Most Cited Article of 2018: “Incidence, Predictors, and Postoperative Complications of Blood Transfusion in Thoracic and Lumbar Fusion Surgery: An Analysis of 13,695 Patients from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database” | |
| Research and Salary Award: Fonds de recherche Santé Québec - Programme de Bourses de Chercheur-boursier Clinicien Title: The Epidemiology, Process and Outcomes of Spine Oncology |
Minimally invasive and complex spine surgery for degenerative, oncological, traumatic, and deformity of the spine
Grants
September 2019 - September 2023: CIHR - Mechanically and Biologically Functional Adhesives for Intervertebral Disc Repair and Regeneration. CO-PI $520,200.
January 2023 - January 2025: Cancer Research Society - Targeting Senescent Cells to Subdue Breast-to-Bone Metastasis. CO-PI $120,000.
March 2021 - March 2027: New Frontiers in Research Fund - Exploration - Redox-based Physical Plasma Therapy for Controlling Spread of Metastatic Bone Cancer and Orthopaedic Infections. CO-PI $250,000.
Journal Articles
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Targeting breast cancer senescence in 3D models of bone metastasis.
Breast cancer (Tokyo, Japan) 2026 May;33(3):770-783
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Fulfillment of patient expectations after surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the multicenter Canadian Surgical Spine Registry (CSORN).
The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society 2026 Mar;26(3):548-557
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Evaluation of Adverse Events and the Impact on Health-Related Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Metastatic Spine Tumors: Analysis of the Metastatic Tumor Research and Outcomes Network (MTRON) Registry Dataset.
Global spine journal 2026 Jan;16(1):410-433
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An International Delphi Consensus on Defining the Optimal Surgical Composite Outcome in Metastatic Spine Disease.
Spine 2025 Dec;50(24):1683-1691
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Reassessing the minimal clinically important differences of patient-reported outcomes in cervical myelopathy: a patient-centered approach from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network.
Journal of neurosurgery. Spine 2025 Dec;44(3):377-385
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A Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Investigation of Cervical Spine Muscle Characteristics After Concussion: Identifying Return-to-Play Clearance and Subsequent Injury Prognosis.
Journal of child neurology 2025 Nov;8830738251392519
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Association Between Nutritional Status and Survival in Patients Requiring Treatment for Spinal Metastases.
Neurosurgery 2025 Nov;
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Cold Atmospheric Plasma Selectively Disrupts Breast Cancer Growth in a Bioprinted 3D Tumor-Stroma Co-Culture Model.
Advanced healthcare materials 2025 Nov;14(28):e05292
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Surgical practice variation and outcomes regarding single-level posterior approach for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: a Canadian spine outcomes research network (CSORN) study.
The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society 2025 Oct;
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Outcome of Patients With Mild Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Treated Nonoperatively: An Observational Study From the Canadian Spine Outcome and Research Network.
Neurosurgery 2025 Oct;
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Prolonged Symptom Duration is Associated with Inferior Quality of life Outcomes after Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Multicenter Cohort Study from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network.
Spine 2025 Sep;
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Upper Extremity Sensation After Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy, Does it Change? An Observational Study from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network (CSORN).
Spine 2025 Sep;
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Comparison of Combined Motor Control Training and Isolated Extensor Strengthening Versus General Exercise on Lumbar Paraspinal Muscle Health and Associations With Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Chronic Low Back Pain Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Global spine journal 2025 Sep;15(7):3332-3349
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Severe neck pain among patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy: an observational study from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network.
The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society 2025 Sep;25(9):1918-1927
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Preoperative determinants of postoperative expectation fulfillment following elective lumbar spine surgery: an observational study from the Canadian Spine Outcome Research Network (CSORN).
The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society 2025 Aug;25(8):1618-1629
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Advancing Metastatic Spine Tumor Research: A Review of AO Spine Knowledge Forum Tumor's Scientific Contributions Derived From the EPOSO Network, 2014-2024.
Global spine journal 2025 Jul;15(6):2999-3006
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The impact of elective spine surgery in Canada for degenerative conditions on patient reported health-related quality of life outcomes.
Scientific reports 2025 May;15(1):19143
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Impact of surgery and radiation on radicular pain and myotomic weakness in patients with metastatic spine disease.
Neurosurgical focus 2025 May;58(5):E14
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The Influence of Wait Time on Surgical Outcomes in Elective Lumbar Degenerative Spine Conditions: A Retrospective Multicentre Cohort Study.
Global spine journal 2025 May;15(4):2118-2128
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Preoperative psychological health impacts pain and disability outcomes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for cervical radiculopathy.
Scientific reports 2025 Apr;15(1):14861
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Radiation Exposure and Dose Estimates of Robot-Guided Versus Fluoroscopy-Guided Spinal Fusion: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Clinical spine surgery 2025 Apr;
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Comprehensive analysis of human dendritic spine morphology and density.
Journal of neurophysiology 2025 Apr;133(4):1086-1102
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Satisfaction in surgically treated patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy: an observational study from the Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network.
The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society 2025 Feb;25(2):265-275
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Who gets better after surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy? A responder analysis from the multicenter Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network.
The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society 2025 Feb;25(2):276-289
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A Critical Appraisal of the Application of Frailty and Sarcopenia in the Spinal Oncology Population.
Global spine journal 2025 Jan;15(1_suppl):47S-80S
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Defining Spine Cancer Pain Syndromes: A Systematic Review and Proposed Terminology.
Global spine journal 2025 Jan;15(1_suppl):81S-92S
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Gender differences in spine surgery for degenerative lumbar disease: prospective cohort study.
Journal of neurosurgery. Spine 2025 Jan;42(1):24-32
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Malnutrition in Spine Oncology: Where Are We and What Are We Measuring?
Global spine journal 2025 Jan;15(1_suppl):29S-46S
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Outcome prediction following lumbar disc surgery: a longitudinal study of outcome trajectories, prognostic factors, and risk models.
Journal of neurosurgery. Spine 2025 Jan;42(1):33-42
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Overview of Molecular Prognostication for Common Solid Tumor Histologies - What the Surgeon Should Know.
Global spine journal 2025 Jan;15(1_suppl):6S-15S
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Risk Factors for the Development of Neurological Deficits in Metastatic Spinal Disease: An International, Multicenter Delphi Study.
Global spine journal 2025 Jan;15(1_suppl):93S-103S
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The utilization of hypoalbuminemia as a prognostic metric in patients with spinal metastases: A scoping review.
Brain & spine 2025 Jan;5104223
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What is the Optimal Management of Metastatic Spine Patients With Intermediate Spinal Instability Neoplastic Scores: To Operate or Not to Operate?
Global spine journal 2025 Jan;15(1_suppl):132S-142S
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https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.11.07.25339785v1