Aaron Conger
( out of 240 reviews )

Aaron Conger, DO

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

South Jordan Health Center

South Jordan
801-213-4500

  • Dr. Aaron Conger, DO is an Assistant Professor and Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine specialist at the University of Utah's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Washington State. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, followed by a fellowship in Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Dr. Conger’s clinical expertise encompasses the treatment of spine and musculoskeletal pain conditions including, osteoporotic compression fractures, arthritis of the spine, disc herniation, spinal stenosis, zygapophyseal joint pain, vertebrogenic pain, sacroiliac joint pain, and other degenerative conditions of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. He offers advanced pain management therapies such as Kyphoplasty, Spinal Cord Stimulation, Peripheral Nerve Stimulation and Basivertebral Nerve Ablation (Intracept). He collaborates closely with orthopedic and neurosurgical spine specialists, as well as physical therapists, to deliver comprehensive care.

    Dr. Conger is involved with the design and conduct of multiple clinical trials aimed at enhancing interventional treatments for patients with spine and musculoskeletal pain. He chairs the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society's Evidence Analysis Committee and serves on the editorial boards of the journals Pain Medicine and Interventional Pain Medicine. Dr. Conger has authored over 100 peer-reviewed abstracts and journal articles. Additionally, he directs the NASS Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship at the University of Utah.

    Specialties

    Board Certification

    American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
    National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners

    Patient Rating

    4.9 /5
    ( out of 240 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    January 25, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Upbeat

    January 24, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Such a nice doctor. When I had the procedure he was explaining the whole time what was happening. I am so lucky to call him my doctor.

    January 20, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    I was there for an MRI. I was told what was about to take place then was led to the machine as they made sure I didn't slip .They ran their tests, then made sure I got back to my garments ok. I felt in good hands while I was there.

    January 18, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    He is a great dr as far as I am concerned he listened an talked about the thing need to help me

    January 17, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    He was so friendly and explained my exrays so I could understand. Will definitely go back to see him.

    January 17, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    A great physician. Very informative and answered all my concerns. He helped me understand my different treatment options to help make the best choice for me.

    January 14, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Kind, skilled. Knowledgeable

    January 03, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr Conger is very good at what he does and he and his team are extremely friendly and professional. Very pleased with the procedure and the result.

    January 03, 2025
    SOUTH JORDAN HEALTH CENTER

    Dr. Conger took time to answer all my questions and explain options for easing my pain.

    See More Patient Comments

  • Dr. Aaron Conger, DO is an Assistant Professor and Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine specialist at the University of Utah's Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Washington State. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, followed by a fellowship in Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Dr. Conger’s clinical expertise encompasses the treatment of spine and musculoskeletal pain conditions including, osteoporotic compression fractures, arthritis of the spine, disc herniation, spinal stenosis, zygapophyseal joint pain, vertebrogenic pain, sacroiliac joint pain, and other degenerative conditions of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. He offers advanced pain management therapies such as Kyphoplasty, Spinal Cord Stimulation, Peripheral Nerve Stimulation and Basivertebral Nerve Ablation (Intracept). He collaborates closely with orthopedic and neurosurgical spine specialists, as well as physical therapists, to deliver comprehensive care.

    Dr. Conger is involved with the design and conduct of multiple clinical trials aimed at enhancing interventional treatments for patients with spine and musculoskeletal pain. He chairs the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society's Evidence Analysis Committee and serves on the editorial boards of the journals Pain Medicine and Interventional Pain Medicine. Dr. Conger has authored over 100 peer-reviewed abstracts and journal articles. Additionally, he directs the NASS Interventional Spine and Musculoskeletal Medicine Fellowship at the University of Utah.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation -Assistant Professor (Clinical)
    Board Certification
    American Board of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
    National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners

    Education history

    Fellowship Interventional Spine - University of Utah School of Medicine Fellow
    Chief Resident Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - University of Utah School of Medicine Education Chief Resident
    Residency Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation - University of Utah School of Medicine Resident
    Internship Internal Medicine - Spokane Teaching Health Center Transitional Internship
    Professional Medical Osteopathic Medicine - Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences D.O.
    Undergraduate Health Sciences - Corban University B.S.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Brown TK, Caragea MA, Beckwith M, Ni A, Chen L, Woodworth T, Blatt M, Cheney C, Carson D, Kuo K, Randall D, Huang EY, Carefoot A, Mills M, Cooper AN, Przybysz AG, Burnham T, Conger AM, McCormick ZL (2025). Evaluating the effectiveness of genicular radiofrequency ablation for chronic knee pain using the patient-reported outcomes measurement information system (PROMIS) global health-physical health domain: Results of a cross-sectional cohort study. Interventional Pain Medicine, 4(1), 100539. (Read full article)
    2. Martin BI, Conger A, Burnham T, Finch D, McCormick ZL (2024). Collecting patient-reported outcomes for the assessment of interventions for pain conditions: Development, accuracy and usability of a customizable mobile app. Interventional Pain Medicine, 3(3), 100427. (Read full article)
    3. Miller S, Caragea M, Carson D, McFarland MM, Teramoto M, Cushman DM, Cooper AN, Burnham T, McCormick ZL, Conger A (2023). The Effectiveness of Intradiscal Corticosteroid Injection for the Treatment of Chronic Discovertebral Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review. Pain Med, 25(1), 33-46. (Read full article)
    4. McCormick ZL, Conger A, Kendall R, Wagner G, Henrie AM, Littell M, Sperry BP, Petersen R, Cooper AN, Teramoto M, Burnham TR (2023). A Pragmatic Randomized Prospective Trial of Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation of the Medial Branch Nerves versus Facet Joint Injection of Corticosteroid for the Treatment of Lumbar Facet Syndrome: 12 Month Outcomes. Pain Med, 24(12), 1318-1331. (Read full article)
    5. Caragea M, Woodworth T, Curtis T, Blatt M, Cheney C, Brown T, Carson D, Kuo KT, Randall D, Huang EY, Carefoot A, Teramoto M, Mills M, Cooper A, Burnham T, Conger A, McCormick ZL (2023). Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Chronic Knee Joint Pain: A Real-world Cohort Study with Evaluation of Prognostic Factors. Pain Med, 24(12), 1332-1340. (Read full article)
    6. Beckwith M, Cushman D, Clark T, Park PK, Burnham T, Burnham R, McCormick ZL, Conger A (2022). Radiofrequency Ablation of the Infrapatellar Branch of the Saphenous Nerve for the Treatment of Chronic Anterior Inferomedial Knee Pain. Pain Med, 24(2), 150-157. (Read full article)
    7. McCormick ZL, Conger A, Smuck M, Lotz JC, Hirsch JA, Hickman C, Harper K, Burnham TR (2022). Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics Associated with Treatment Success from Basivertebral Nerve Ablation: An Aggregated Cohort Study of Multicenter Prospective Clinical Trials Data. Pain Med, 23(Suppl 2), S34-S49. (Read full article)
    8. Conger A, Burnham TR, Clark T, Teramoto M, McCormick ZL (2022). The Effectiveness of Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Vertebrogenic Low Back Pain: An Updated Systematic Review with Single-Arm Meta-analysis. Pain Med, 23(Suppl 2), S50-S62. (Read full article)
    9. McCormick ZL, Sperry BP, Boody BS, Hirsch JA, Conger A, Harper K, Lotz JC, Burnham TR (2022). Pain Location and Exacerbating Activities Associated with Treatment Success Following Basivertebral Nerve Ablation: An Aggregated Cohort Study of Multicenter Prospective Clinical Trial Data. Pain Med, 23(Suppl 2), S14-S33. (Read full article)
    10. Conger A, Duszynski B, McCormick ZL (2022). Management of Chronic Low Back Pain. JAMA Intern Med, 182(6), 687. (Read full article)
    11. Fogarty AE, Burnham T, Kuo K, Tate Q, Sperry BP, Cheney C, Walega DR, Kohan L, Cohen SP, Cushman DM, McCormick ZL, Conger A (2021). The Effectiveness of Fluoroscopically Guided Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Chronic Knee Pain Due to Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review. Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 101(5), 482-492. (Read full article)
    12. Tate Q, Meiling JB, Burnham TR, Conger A, McCormick ZL (2021). A Pilot Study of an Expanded Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation Protocol for the Treatment of Chronic Knee Pain. Pain Med, 23(3), 599-602. (Read full article)
    13. Conger A, Kendall RW, Sperry BP, Petersen R, Salazar F, Cunningham S, Henrie AM, Bisson EF, Teramoto M, McCormick ZL (2021). One-year results from a randomized comparative trial of targeted steroid injection via epidural catheter versus standard transforaminal epidural injection for the treatment of unilateral cervical radicular pain. Reg Anesth Pain Med, 46(9), 813-819. (Read full article)
    14. McCormick ZL, Conger A (2021). Response to: Commentary on the Article "A Randomized Comparative Trial of Targeted Steroid Injection via Epidural Catheter vs Standard Transforaminal Epidural Injection for the Treatment of Unilateral Cervical Radicular Pain: Six-Month Results" by McCormick et al. Pain Med. (Read full article)
    15. McCormick ZL, Patel J, Conger A, Smith CC, Spine Intervention Societys Patient Safety Committee (2021). The Safety of Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation. Pain Med, 22(2), 518-519. (Read full article)
    16. Conger A, Schuster NM, Cheng DS, Sperry BP, Joshi AB, Haring RS, Duszynski B, McCormick ZL (2021). The Effectiveness of Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Radiofrequency Neurotomy for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain in Patients with Modic Changes: A Systematic Review. Pain Med, 22(5), 1039-1054. (Read full article)
    17. Joyce AA, Conger A, McCormick ZL, Kendall RW, Wagner G, Teramoto M, Cushman DM (2020). Changes in Interventional Pain Physician Decision-Making, Practice Patterns, and Mental Health During the Early Phase of the SARS-CoV-2 Global Pandemic. Pain Med, 21(12), 3585-3595. (Read full article)
    18. Koshi E, Cheney CW, Sperry BP, Conger A, McCormick ZL (2020). Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Knee Pain Using a Three-Tined Electrode: A Technical Description and Case Series. Pain Med, 21(12), 3344-3349. (Read full article)
    19. Conger A, Sperry BP, Cheney CW, Kuo K, Petersen R, Randall D, Salazar F, Cunningham S, Henrie AM, Bisson E, Kendall R, Teramoto M, McCormick ZL (2020). Does the Contrast Dispersion Pattern During Fluoroscopically Guided Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection Predict Short-Term Pain and Functional Outcomes? An Exploratory Analysis of Prospective Cohort Data. Pain Med, 21(12), 3350-3359. (Read full article)
    20. Conger A, Sperry BP, Cheney CW, Burnham TM, Mahan MA, Onofrei LV, Cushman DM, Wagner GE, Shipman H, Teramoto M, McCormick ZL (2020). The Effectiveness of Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Treatment of Axial Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review with Narrative Synthesis. Pain Med, 21(11), 2699-2712. (Read full article)
    21. Cushman DM, Carefoot A, Lisenby S, Caragea M, Fogg B, Conger A (2020). A systematic review of the efficacy of corticosteroid injections of tendon sheaths, excluding stenosing tenosynovitis of the wrist and hand. Am J Phys Med Rehabil, 100(7), 683-688. (Read full article)
    22. Burnham T, Conger A, Salazar F, Petersen R, Kendall R, Cunningham S, Teramoto M, McCormick ZL (2020). The Effectiveness of Cervical Medial Branch Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Facet Joint Syndrome in Patients Selected by a Practical Medial Branch Block Paradigm. Pain Med, 21(10), 2071-2076. (Read full article)
    23. Burnham T, Sampson J, Speckman RA, Conger A, Cushman DM, McCormick ZL (2020). The Effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for the Treatment of Suspected Sacroiliac Joint Complex Pain; a Systematic Review. Pain Med, 21(10), 2518-2528. (Read full article)
    24. McCormick ZL, Conger A, Sperry BP, Teramoto M, Petersen R, Salazar F, Cunningham S, Michael Henrie A, Bisson E, Kendall R (2020). A Randomized Comparative Trial of Targeted Steroid Injection via Epidural Catheter vs Standard Transforaminal Epidural Injection for the Treatment of Unilateral Cervical Radicular Pain: Six-Month Results. Pain Med, 21(10), 2077-2089. (Read full article)
    25. Sperry BP, Conger A, Kohan L, Walega DR, Cohen SP, McCormick ZL (2020). A Proposed Protocol for Safe Radiofrequency Ablation of the Recurrent Fibular Nerve for the Treatment of Chronic Anterior Inferolateral Knee Pain. Pain Med, 22(5), 1237-1241. (Read full article)
    26. Gatson NTN, Bross SP, Odia Y, Mongelluzzo GJ, Hu Y, Lockard L, Manikowski JJ, Mahadevan A, Kazmi SAJ, Lacroix M, Conger AR, Vadakara J, Nayak L, Chi TL, Mehta MP, Puduvalli VK (2020). Early imaging marker of progressing glioblastoma: a window of opportunity. J Neurooncol, 148(3), 629-640. (Read full article)
    27. Schoutens C, Cushman DM, McCormick ZL, Conger A, van Royen BJ, Spiker WR (2019). Outcomes of Nonsurgical Treatments for Symptomatic Adult Degenerative Scoliosis: A Systematic Review. Pain Med, 21(6), 1263-1275. (Read full article)
    28. Conger A, Burnham T, Salazar F, Tate Q, Golish M, Petersen R, Cunningham S, Teramoto M, Kendall R, McCormick ZL (2019). The Effectiveness of Radiofrequency Ablation of Medial Branch Nerves for Chronic Lumbar Facet Joint Syndrome in Patients Selected by Guideline-Concordant Dual Comparative Medial Branch Blocks. Pain Med, 21(5), 902-909. (Read full article)
    29. Conger A, Case C, McCormick Z, Kendall R (2020). Diagnostic Imaging Pitfalls of Upper Thoracic Spine Fractures. Pain Med, 21(5), 1079-1081. (Read full article)
    30. Conger A, Cushman DM, Speckman RA, Burnham T, Teramoto M, McCormick ZL (2019). The Effectiveness of Fluoroscopically Guided Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injection for the Treatment of Radicular Pain; a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Pain Med, 21(1), 41-54. (Read full article)
    31. Conger A, Cushman DM, Walker K, Petersen R, Walega DR, Kendall R, McCormick ZL (2019). A Novel Technical Protocol for Improved Capture of the Genicular Nerves by Radiofrequency Ablation. Pain Med, 20(11), 2208-2212. (Read full article)

    Review

    1. Woodworth TT, Le A, Miller C, Conger A, Mahan MA, Cushman DM (2024). Botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome: A systematic review. 2024 Mar 26. doi: 10.1002/mus.28080. Online ahead of print. [Review]. Muscle Nerve. (Read full article)
    2. Sperry BP, Cheney CW, Kuo KT, Clements N, Burnham T, Conger A, Cushman DM, McCormick ZL (2021). Percutaneous treatments for residual and/or phantom limb pain in adults with lower-extremity amputations: A narrative review. [Review]. PM R, 15(2), 235-245. (Read full article)
    3. Schneider BJ, Hunt C, Conger A, Qu W, Maus TP, Vorobeychik Y, Cheng J, Duszynski B, McCormick ZL (2021). The effectiveness of intradiscal biologic treatments for discogenic low back pain: a systematic review. [Review]. Spine J, 22(2), 226-237. (Read full article)
    4. Michalik A, Conger A, Smuck M, Maus TP, McCormick ZL (2021). Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Vertebral Body Endplate Low Back Pain: Current Evidence and Future Directions. [Review]. Pain Med, 22(Suppl 1), S24-S30. (Read full article)
    5. Conger A, Gililland J, Anderson L, Pelt CE, Peters C, McCormick ZL (2021). Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of Painful Knee Osteoarthritis: Current Evidence and Future Directions. [Review]. Pain Med, 22(Suppl 1), S20-S23. (Read full article)

    Book Chapter

    1. Gill B, Cheney C, Clements N, Przybsyz AG, McCormick ZL, Conger A (2022). Radiofrequency Ablation for Zygapophyseal Joint Pain. In Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am (33, pp. 233-249). United States. (Read full article)

    Editorial

    1. Conger A, Smuck M, Truumees E, Lotz JC, DePalma MJ, McCormick ZL (2022). Vertebrogenic Pain: A Paradigm Shift in Diagnosis and Treatment of Axial Low Back Pain. Pain Med, 23(Suppl 2), S63-S71. (Read full article)

    Letter

    1. Rainey J, Miller S, Conger A, Anderson L, McCormick Z (2021). A Letter to the Editor Regarding Genicular Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation for the Treatment of the Painful Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty. [Letter to the editor]. Pain Med, 23(3), 603-604. (Read full article)
    2. Sperry BP, Cheney CW, Conger A, Shipman H, McCormick ZL (2020). Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation of a Large Sciatic Neuroma at the Infrapiriformis Foramen for Recalcitrant Phantom Limb Pain in a Below-Knee Amputee. [Letter to the editor]. Pain Med, 22(1), 223-226. (Read full article)
    3. Khan D, Nagpal G, Conger A, McCormick ZL, Walega DR (2019). Clinically Significant Hematoma as a Complication of Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation of the Genicular Nerves; a Case Series. [Letter to the editor]. Pain Med, 21(7), 1513-1515. (Read full article)
    4. Conger A, Shah L, Shah V, McCormick Z (2020). Cone Beam Tomosynthesis: An Emerging Technology for Procedural Image Guidance. [Letter to the editor]. Pain Med, 21(10), 2610-2613. (Read full article)

    Other

    1. McCormick ZL, Conger A, Sperry BP, Teramoto M, Petersen R, Salazar F, Cunningham S, Henrie AM, Bisson E, Kendall R (2021). Corrigendum to: A Randomized Comparative Trial of Targeted Steroid Injection via Epidural Catheter vs Standard Transforaminal Epidural Injection for the Treatment of Unilateral Cervical Radicular Pain: Six-Month Results. Pain Med (22(8), pp. 1888-1890). England. (Read full article)