William Ryan Spiker
( out of 1333 reviews )

William Ryan Spiker, MD

Languages spoken: English, Spanish

Clinical Locations

Primary Location

University Orthopaedic Center

590 Wakara Way
Salt Lake City , UT 84108
801-587-7109
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South Jordan Health Center

5126 West Daybreak Parkway
South Jordan , UT 84009
801-213-4500
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Dr. Spiker treats conditions of the neck and back such as disk herniations, spinal stenosis, cervical myelopathy and deformities of the spine. He believes in the thoughtful use of new technologies, including minimally invasive surgery and image-guided techniques. As a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Utah, he enjoys the benefits of working closely with non operative spine specialists and physical therapists to provide comprehensive care to his patients.

Dr. Spiker’s research interests include the treatment of cervical spine disorders, spine imaging techniques and the genetics of common spinal conditions. He has authored many peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on these and other related topics.

Dr. Spiker studied Biochemistry and History and The University of California at Santa Barbara and earned his medical degree from the University of Southern California. He completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Utah and a dual Orthopaedic Spine and Neurosurgical Spine Fellowship at the Rothman Institute at Jefferson Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA.

Please call (801) 587-5451 if you would like to make an appointment and are not able to schedule online.

Specialties

Board Certification

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Patient Rating

Patients consistently praise Dr. Spiker for his surgical skill and for producing meaningful improvements in pain and function after spine procedures. Reviewers emphasize his clear, thorough explanations, patient communication, and tendency to involve patients in treatment planning, and they describe his office team as helpful and supportive. Commenters also note his professionalism, compassion, and bedside manner, saying he makes them feel heard and confident in their care.

Generated via Patient Reviews

4.8 /5
( out of 1333 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.

Dr. Spiker treats conditions of the neck and back such as disk herniations, spinal stenosis, cervical myelopathy and deformities of the spine. He believes in the thoughtful use of new technologies, including minimally invasive surgery and image-guided techniques. As a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Utah, he enjoys the benefits of working closely with non operative spine specialists and physical therapists to provide comprehensive care to his patients.

Dr. Spiker’s research interests include the treatment of cervical spine disorders, spine imaging techniques and the genetics of common spinal conditions. He has authored many peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on these and other related topics.

Dr. Spiker studied Biochemistry and History and The University of California at Santa Barbara and earned his medical degree from the University of Southern California. He completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Utah and a dual Orthopaedic Spine and Neurosurgical Spine Fellowship at the Rothman Institute at Jefferson Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA.

Please call (801) 587-5451 if you would like to make an appointment and are not able to schedule online.

Board Certification and Academic Information

Academic Departments Orthopaedics -Professor
Neurosurgery -Adjunct Professor
Board Certification
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Education history

Postdoctoral Training Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Spine Surgery - Rothman Institute at Jefferson University Postdoctoral Training
Residency Orthopedic Surgery - University of Utah Resident
Professional Medical Medicine - University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine M.D.
Undergraduate Biochemistry and History - University of California at Santa Barbara B.S.

Selected Publications

Journal Article

  1. Rizkalla JM, Weiner JA, Martin BI, Martinez FK, Truumees H, Spina NT, Lawrence BD, Brodke DS, Spiker WR, Karamian BA (2026). NSAID Use Is Associated With Increased Postoperative Complications, but Mortality Benefit, Following Spinal Fusion. Clin Spine Surg.
  2. McDonald CL, Clapp I, Zhang Y, Nelson J, Karamian B, Spiker WR, Lawrence B, Brodke D, Spina N (2026). Response to Preoperative Steroid Injections Can Predict Early Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Fusion for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976).
  3. Friedman LIN, Truumees H, Gonzalez F, Geerling DM, Spina NT, Spiker WR, Brodke DS, Lawrence BD, Karamian BA (2026). Cervical Disc Arthroplasty Has Higher Rates of Revision, But Lower Rates of Adjacent Segment Disease, Compared to ACDF. Spine (Phila Pa 1976).
  4. Philippi M, Featherall J, Connelly J, Schmirler J, Truumees H, Spina NT, Spiker WR, Brodke DS, Lawrence BD, Karamian BA (2026). Fixed-Angle Static Versus Variable-Angle Dynamic Plates for Multilevel Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. Clin Spine Surg.
  5. Clapp IM, Kothari P, Martin B, Spina NT, Spiker WR, Lawrence BD, Brodke DS, Karamian BA (2025). Comparing Complications and Costs of Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in the Inpatient, Outpatient, and ASC Settings in the Medicare Population. Spine (Phila Pa 1976).
  6. Smolinski KA, Spiker WR, McCormick ZL, Conger AM (2025). Persistent Pain Post Lumbar Spinal Surgery: A Diagnostic Framework for the Non-Operative Clinician. Pain Med, 27(2), 219-221.
  7. Connelly JW, Narayanan R, Ezeonu T, Kothari P, Spina N, Spiker WR, Lawrence B, Brodke DS, Schroeder GD, Karamian BA (2025). Narrative Review of Perioperative Glucagon-like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Agonists in Spine Surgery. Clin Spine Surg.
  8. Mizels J, Connelly J, Martin B, Karamian B, Spiker WR, Lawrence BD, Brodke DS, Spina NT (2024). How Do Functional Comorbidities Affect PROMIS-PF Scores Following Lumbar Fusion Surgery? Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 50(6), 383-388.
  9. Drain JP, Alvarez P, Spiker WR, Yu E (2024). Deformity Considerations in Cervical Laminoplasty: A Narrative Review. Clin Spine Surg, 38(1), 1-5.
  10. Connelly JW, Mizels J, Karamian BA, Spiker WR, Lawrence B, Brodke DS, Spina N (2024). Craniocervical dissociation: A framework for diagnosis and management of a rare but never miss injury. Semin Spine Surg, 36(2).
  11. Randell Z, Martin B, Hendrickson N, Brodke D, Spiker R, Lawrence B, Spina N (2023). Hypoalbuminemia as a Predictor of Mortality, Disability, and Readmission in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 48(18), 1300-1307.
  12. Turtle J, Randell Z, Karamian B, Spiker WR, Lawrence B, Brodke D, Spina N (2023). Response to Preoperative Steroid Injections Predicts Surgical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Fusion for Isthmic Spondylolisthesis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 48(13), 914-919.
  13. Owen RJ, Quinlan N, Poduska A, Spiker WR, Spina NT, Brodke DS, Lawrence BD (2021). Preoperative Fluoroscopically Guided Regional Erector Spinae Plane Blocks Reduce Opioid Use, Increase Mobilization, and Reduce Length of Stay Following Lumbar Spine Fusion. Global Spine J, 13(4), 954-960.
  14. Turtle J, Randell Z, Karamian B, Spiker R, Lawrence B, Brodke D, Spina N (2023). Response to pre-operative Steroid Injections Predicts Surgical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Fusion for Isthmic Spondylolisthesis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 48(13), 914-919.
  15. Randell Z, Martin B, Hendrickson N, Brodke D, Spiker R, Lawrence B, Spina N (2023). Hypoalbuminemia as a Predictor of Mortality, Disability, and Readmission in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery: A Retrospective Analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 48(18), 1300-1307.
  16. Hendrickson NR, Zhang Y, Amoafo L, Randell Z, Rasmussen M, Zeidan M, Shorten P, Brodke DS, Spina N, Lawrence BD, Spiker WR (2022). Risk Factors for Postoperative Ileus in Patients Undergoing Spine Surgery. Global Spine J, 13(8), 21925682221075056.
  17. Mordhorst TR, Jalali A, Nelson R, Brodke DS, Spina N, Spiker WR (2021). Cost analysis of primary single-level lumbar discectomies using the Value Driven Outcomes database in a large academic center. Spine J, 21(8), 1309-1317.
  18. Owen RJ, Quinlan N, Poduska A, Spiker WR, Spina NT, Brodke DS, Lawrence BD (2021). Preoperative Fluoroscopically Guided Regional Erector Spinae Plane Blocks Reduce Opioid Use, Increase Mobilization, and Reduce Length of Stay Following Lumbar Spine Fusion. Global Spine J, 13(4), 21925682211010740.
  19. Zeidan M, Goz V, Lakomkin N, Spina N, Brodke DS, Spiker WR (2020). Predictors of Readmission and Prolonged Length of Stay After Cervical Disc Arthroplasty. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 46(8), 487-491.
  20. Shaw JD, McEntarfer R, Ferrel J, Greene N, Presson AP, Zhang C, Lawrence BD, Spiker WR, Spina N, Brodke DS (2020). What Does Your PROMIS Score Mean? Improving the Utility of Patient-Reported Outcomes at the Point of Care. Global Spine J, 12(4), 2192568220958670.
  21. Tobert DG, Davis BJ, Annis P, Spiker WR, Lawrence BD, Brodke DS, Spina N (2020). The impact of the lordosis distribution index on failure after surgical treatment of adult spinal deformity. Spine J, 20(8), 1261-1266.
  22. Goz V, Martin BI, Donnally CJ 3rd, Brodke D, Spina N, Lawrence B, Spiker WR (2020). Potential Selection Bias in Observational Studies Comparing Cervical Disc Arthroplasty to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 45(14), 960-967.
  23. Chavez JL, Porucznik CA, Gren LH, Guan J, Joyce E, Brodke DS, Dailey AT, Mahan MA, Hood RS, Lawrence BD, Spiker WR, Spina NT, Bisson EF (2020). The Impact of Preoperative Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Postoperative Outcomes in Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disease: 3-Month and 12-Month Results of a Pilot Study. World Neurosurg, 139, e230-e236.
  24. Mordhorst TR, McCormick ZL, Presson AP, Collier WH, Spiker WR (2019). Examining the relationship between epidural steroid injections and patient satisfaction. Spine J, 20(2), 207-212.
  25. Spina N, Schoutens C, Martin BI, Brodke DS, Lawrence B, Spiker WR (2019). Defining Instability in Degenerative Spondylolisthesis: Surgeon Views. Clin Spine Surg, 32(10), E434-E439.
  26. Goz V, Spiker WR, Brodke D (2019). Mobile messaging and smartphone apps for patient communication and engagement in spine surgery. Ann Transl Med, 7(Suppl 5), S163.
  27. Goz V, Spiker WR, Lawrence B, Brodke D, Spina N (2019). Odontoid Fractures: A Critical Analysis Review. JBJS Rev, 7(8), e1.
  28. Hung M, Saltzman CL, Voss MW, Bounsanga J, Kendall R, Spiker R, Lawrence B, Brodke D (2018). Responsiveness of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) instruments in patients with spinal disorders. Spine J, 19(1), 34-40.
  29. Hung M, Saltzman CL, Kendall R, Bounsanga J, Voss MW, Lawrence B, Spiker R, Brodke D (2018). What Are the MCIDs for PROMIS, NDI, and ODI Instruments Among Patients With Spinal Conditions? Clin Orthop Relat Res, 476(10), 2027-2036.
  30. Kendall R, Wagner B, Brodke D, Bounsanga J, Voss M, Gu Y, Spiker R, Lawrence B, Hung M (2017). The Relationship of PROMIS Pain Interference and Physical Function Scales. Pain Med, 19(9), 1720-1724.
  31. Lakomkin N, Goz V, Cheng JS, Brodke DS, Spiker WR (2017). The utility of preoperative laboratories in predicting postoperative complications following posterolateral lumbar fusion. Spine J, 18(6), 993-997.
  32. Abtahi AM, Lyman KS, Brodke DS, Lawrence BD, Zhang C, Spiker WR (2017). Patient Satisfaction is Not Associated With Self-reported Disability in a Spine Patient Population. Clin Spine Surg, 30(8), E1165-E1168.
  33. Brodke DS, Goz V, Voss MW, Lawrence BD, Spiker WR, Hung M (2017). PROMIS PF CAT Outperforms the ODI and SF-36 Physical Function Domain in Spine Patients. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 42(12), 921-929.
  34. Colman M, Pond J, Bachus K, Lawrence BD, Spiker WR, Brodke DS (2017). Fenestrated Screws Augmented With PMMA Increase the Pullout Strength of Sacral Pedicle Screws. Clin Spine Surg, 30(3), E252-E256.
  35. Brodke DS, Goz V, Lawrence BD, Spiker WR, Neese A, Hung M (2017). Oswestry Disability Index: a psychometric analysis with 1,610 patients. Spine J, 17(3), 321-327.
  36. Hu Y, Yuan ZS, Spiker WR, Dong WX, Sun XY, Yuan JB, Zhang J, Zhu B (2016). A comparative study on the accuracy of pedicle screw placement assisted by personalized rapid prototyping template between pre- and post-operation in patients with relatively normal mid-upper thoracic spine. Eur Spine J, 25(6), 1706-15.
  37. Colman MW, Guss A, Bachus KN, Spiker WR, Lawrence BD, Brodke DS (2016). Fixed-Angle, Posteriorly Connected Anterior Cage Reconstruction Improves Stiffness and Decreases Cancellous Subsidence in a Spondylectomy Model. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 41(9), E519-23.
  38. Haller JM, Calvert G, Spiker WR, Brodke DS, Lawrence BD (2015). Remote Cerebellar Hemorrhage after Revision Lumbar Spine Surgery. Global Spine J, 5(6), 535-7.
  39. Elliott IS, Spiker WR, Caputo AM, Darden BV (2015). Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Versus Cervical Disk Arthroplasty. J Spinal Disord Tech, 28(9), 309-12.
  40. Gaffney C, Spiker WR (2015). Painless weakness from lumbar disc herniation: Recommended management and outcomes. (ahead of print). Semin Spine Surg.
  41. Goz V, Rane A, Abtahi AM, Lawrence BD, Brodke DS, Spiker WR (2015). Geographic variations in the cost of spine surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 40(17), 1380-9.
  42. Annis P, Brodke DS, Spiker WR, Daubs MD, Lawrence BD (2015). The Fate of L5-S1 With Low-Dose BMP-2 and Pelvic Fixation, With or Without Interbody Fusion, in Adult Deformity Surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 40(11), E634-9.
  43. Abtahi AM, Brodke DS, Lawrence BD, Zhang C, Spiker WR (2015). Association between patient-reported measures of psychological distress and patient satisfaction scores after spine surgery. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 97(10), 824-8.
  44. Hu Y, Dong WX, Spiker WR, Yuan ZS, Sun XY, Zhang J, Xie H, Albert TJ (2015). An anatomic study to determine the optimal entry point, medial angles, and effective length for safe fixation using posterior C1 lateral mass screws. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 40(4), E191-8.
  45. Hung M, Stuart A, Cheng C, Hon SD, Spiker R, Lawrence B, Neese A, Brodke DS (2015). Predicting the DRAM mZDI using the PROMIS anxiety and depression. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 40(3), 179-83.
  46. Lawrence BD, Patel AA, Guss A, Ryan Spiker W, Brodke DS (2014). Malaligned dynamic anterior cervical plate: a biomechanical analysis of effectiveness. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 39(25), 2057-61.
  47. Annis P, Lawrence BD, Spiker WR, Zhang Y, Chen W, Daubs MD, Brodke DS (2014). Predictive factors for acute proximal junctional failure after adult deformity surgery with upper instrumented vertebrae in the thoracolumbar spine. Evid Based Spine Care J, 5(2), 160-2.
  48. Hu Y, Yuan ZS, Spiker WR, Albert TJ, Dong WX, Xie H, Yuan JB, Wang CT (2013). Deviation analysis of C2 translaminar screw placement assisted by a novel rapid prototyping drill template: a cadaveric study. Eur Spine J, 22(12), 2770-6.
  49. Spiker WR, Lawrence BD, Raich AL, Skelly AC, Brodke DS (2012). Surgical versus injection treatment for injection-confirmed chronic sacroiliac joint pain. Evid Based Spine Care J, 3(4), 41-53.
  50. Patel AA, Spiker WR, Daubs M, Brodke DS, Cannon-Albright LA (2012). Evidence of an inherited predisposition for cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 37(1), 26-9.
  51. Patel AA, Spiker WR, Daubs MD, Brodke DS, Cheng I, Glasgow RE (2008). Retroperitoneal lymphocele after anterior spinal surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 33(18), E648-52.

Review

  1. Mizels J, Jalali O, Martinez F, Spiker W (2026). Activity-Related Low Back Pain in the Athlete. [Review]. Sports Med Arthrosc Rev, 34(2), 70-73.
  2. Connelly JW, Kothari P, Spina N, Spiker WR, Lawrence B, Brodke DS, Karamian BA (2024). Early versus late intervention for degenerative cervical myelopathy: what are the outcomes?—a review of the current literature. [Review]. AME Med J, 9.
  3. Moore ZJ, Rizkalla JM, Weiner J, Lawrence B, Spina N, Spiker R, Brodke D, Karamian B (2024). Transthyretin amyloidosis in spinal canal stenosis: A systematic review. [Review]. J Orthop, 53, 133-139.
  4. Vangsness CT Jr, Spiker W, Erickson J (2008). A review of evidence-based medicine for glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate use in knee osteoarthritis. [Review]. Arthroscopy, 25(1), 86-94.

Book Chapter

  1. Spiker WR (2016). Techniques for Minimizing Radiation Exposure during Fluorscopy Procedures. In Vaccaro AR, Albert TJ (Eds.), Spine Surgery: Tricks of the Trade (3rd, Chapter 76, pp. 288-91). New York: Thieme.
  2. Spiker WR (2016). Wound VAC Management for Spinal and Bone Graft Wound Infections. In Vaccaro AR, Albert TJ (Eds.), Spine Surgery: Tricks of the Trade (3rd, Chapter 112, pp. 419-21). New York: Thieme.
  3. Goz V, Spiker WR (2015). Lumbar Stenosis and Spondylolisthesis. In Orthopaedic Surgery Essentials, Spine.
  4. Goz V, Spiker WR (2015). Management of Spinal Data. In Benzel (Ed.), Spine Surgery (4th).

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