Specialties
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Pediatric Spine
Board Certification
|
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
|
Patient Rating
Patients consistently describe Dr. Speirs as knowledgeable, skilled, and professional, particularly in surgical care and treatment planning. Reviewers highlight his clear communication and bedside manner—he listens, explains options and procedures in understandable terms, involves other specialists when appropriate, and helps children and families feel at ease. Families also emphasize his compassion, thoroughness, and attentiveness across pre-op, surgery, and recovery and frequently say they would recommend him.
Generated via Patient 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 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.
Board Certification and Academic Information
| Academic Departments |
Orthopaedics
-Assistant Professor |
|---|---|
| Board Certification |
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
|
Education history
| Fellowship | Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery and Scoliosis - Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego | Clinical Fellow |
|---|---|---|
| Residency | Orthopaedic Surgery - Loma Linda University Medical Center | Resident |
| Professional Medical | Medicine - Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso Paul L. Foster School of Medicine | M.D. |
| Undergraduate | Biology - Brigham Young University | B.S. |
Selected Publications
Journal Article
- Smith AC, Bellaire LL, Speirs JN, Turtle JD, MacWilliams BA, Makarewich CA (2026). The Reliability of Photograph-Based Digital Measurements for Assessing the Pediatric Elbow Range of Motion-A Pilot Study. Children (Basel), 13(3).
- Speirs JN, Parent S, Kelly M, Upasani VV, Petcharaporn M, Bryan TP, Newton PO (2024). Three-dimensional vertebral shape changes confirm growth modulation after anterior vertebral body tethering for idiopathic scoliosis. Spine Deform, 12(4), 1017-1024.
- Ramos O, Speirs J, Morrison M, Danisa O (2021). Effect of narcotic prescription limiting legislation on opioid utilization following pediatric spinal fusion for scoliosis. Spine Deform, 10(2), 335-341.
- Burke CA, Speirs JN, Nelson SC (2021). Maximizing mechanical advantage: surgical technique increases stiffness in spinal instrumentation. Spine Deform, 10(2), 295-299.
- Morris SC, Speirs JN, Heinrich CK, Wongworawat MD (2021). Visual Estimation of Length by Orthopaedic Surgeons: How Accurate Are Lengths Estimated in Digital Images Compared to In-Person Estimations? J Surg Orthop Adv, 30(2), 108-111.
- Burke CA, Speirs JN, Morrison MJ (2021). Pediatric On-Call Challenges for the General Orthopaedic Surgeon. Instr Course Lect, 70, 379-398.
- Morrison MJ 3rd, Speirs JN, Chicorelli AM, Garner M, Flynn JJM, Herman MJ (2019). Intramedullary Fixation of Both Bone Forearm Fractures in Children and Adolescents: Healing Correlates With Development of the Olecranon Apophysis. J Pediatr Orthop, 40(3), e198-e202.
- Speirs JN, Nelson SC (2019). The Rule of 57: Orthopaedic Trigonometry Made Easy. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 27(24), e1110-e1114.
- Gomez C, Nelson S, Speirs J, Barnes S (2018). Magnetic Intramedullary Lengthening Nails and MRI Compatibility. J Pediatr Orthop, 38(10), e584-e587.
- Lanier PJ, Speirs J, Koehler L, Bader J, Abdelgawad A, Waterman BR (2017). Predictors of Persistent Pain After Fixation of Distal Clavicle Fractures in an Active Military Population. Orthopedics, 41(1), e117-e126.
- Speirs JN, Lyons MI, Johansson BE (2017). Emergency Medical Service Personnel Recognize Pediatric Concussions. Glob Pediatr Health, 4, 2333794X17719187.
- Speirs J, Showery J, Abdou M, Pirela-Cruz MA, Abdelgawad AA (2015). Dog bites to the upper extremity in children. J Paediatr Child Health, 51(12), 1172-4.
Review
- Amin NH, Speirs JN, Simmons MJ, Lermen OZ, Cushner FD, Scuderi GR (2018). Total Knee Arthroplasty Wound Complication Treatment Algorithm: Current Soft Tissue Coverage Options. [Review]. J Arthroplasty, 34(4), 735-742.
Book Chapter
- Joshua N Speirs, MD Peter O Newton, MD (2023). Endoscopic and Anterior Approaches for Spinal Deformity Surgery in the Adolescent and Young Adult. In Bernard F. Morrey, MD (Eds.), Master Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery; The Spine (Fourth Edition, p. 179). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
Case Report
- Ramos O, Speirs JN, Danisa O (2020). Lumbar Discitis and Osteomyelitis After a Spinal Stem Cell Injection?: A Case Report and Literature Review. JBJS Case Connect, 10(3), e1900636.
- Speirs JN, Morris SC, Morrison MJ 3rd (2019). Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis in an Adult Patient With Kabuki Syndrome. J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev, 3(10).
- Speirs JN, Shields TG, Morrison MJ 3rd (2019). Focal Periphyseal Edema: An Uncommon Cause of Adolescent Knee Pain: A Report of Three Cases. JBJS Case Connect, 9(3), e0391.
Letter
- Speirs JN, Nelson SC (2020). Reply to Letter to the Editor: The Rule of 57: Orthopaedic Trigonometry Made Easy. [Letter to the editor]. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 28(22), e1031.
Video/Film/CD/Web/Podcast
- Speirs JN (2025). How Scoliosis Bracing Can Prevent Surgery in Children [Podcast]. University of Utah Health. Available: https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/health-library/all/2025/02/how-scoliosis-bracing-can-prevent-surgery-children.
- Speirs JN (2024). Seven Questions for a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon [Podcast]. University of Utah Health. Available: https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/health-library/all/2024/10/seven-questions-pediatric-orthopedic-surgeon.
- Speirs JN (2024). Understanding Childhood Scoliosis: A Parent's Guide from Detection to Treatment. [Podcast]. University of Utah Health. Available: https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/health-library/all/2024/09/understanding-childhood-scoliosis-parents-guide-detection.
Knowledgeable, thoughtful and considerate of patients care, mindful of their needs and treats you like family
Thank you for taking the time to explain things well and listen to our concerns. You are top-notch physician! Hope you get some time to enjoy the outdoors this summer
Good doctor, explained well and provided good care [TRANSLATED]
Dr Speirs was very knowledgeable with my daughter's scoliosis and took the time to answer all the questions we had regarding treatment and prognosis. We were grateful for his thoroughness and his candidness with where to seek the best brace for her needs. Would definitely recommend!
Dr Spiers is so friendly and personable. He was compassionate and kind and very knowledgeable.
Great doctor.
He is an excellent doctor who cares about his patients and is willing to help find the best solution for the problem. He listens
Dr. Speirs was very friendly and knowledgeable.
Can't say enough good things abt Dr. Speirs. He was great!
Dr. Speirs listens carefully and doesn't talk over you. He explains everything so that you know exactly what is going on and what you can do going forward. He clearly cares about his patients long term health, not just about the one thing that brought you into his office that day. I was very pleased with my visit and highly recommend him.
Dr. Spears is a very caring, professional physician. He goes above and beyond the care of service. We are so grateful to use him for our daughters orthopedic need.
Always upbeat, he listens and is honest. He is good at explaining what, why and how, will give you options if possible and let's you make the decisions concerning your child's treatment.
We love Dr. Speirs! He's great with our daughter and she looks forward to her appointments instead of dreading them. He explains things in a way that she can understand and she leaves his office with a smile. He's great with kids and highly recommend him!
He is very kind. He is willing and very capable of explaining procedures and including patients and families. He loves what he does and it shows. No matter the time of day or night he shows the care for all.
Dr. Speirs was awesome! Very kind and knowledgeable and confident. Gave great info and recommendations. We felt really good about our visit and would highly recommend!
Dr. Speirs is amazing. He did a great job fixing my daughters back. He listened to our concerns and answered our questions. I always felt like my daughter was in great hands. My daughter also really liked him. He is great with kids.
Thank you for all of your help in my son's recovery. We're forever grateful!
Dr. Speirs is a rare find as he is compassionate and supportive while being an exceptional doctor and surgeon. We're really grateful for this rare type of clinician.
Dr. Speirs is absolutely fantastic! He is kind, caring, knowledgeable, professional yet so fun. My son has had 2 nasty fractures. One with surgery and each time Dr. Speirs has made a really scary and challenging time manageable and as pleasant as experience as possible. We love Dr. Speirs and wouldnÕt go anywhere else for a pediatric orthopedic surgeon!
Dr Speirs is the best! From surgery to the entire recovery/ follow up process, he's been outstanding. I highly recommmed him.
Dr. Spiers is amazing!! Super friendly and thorough. We love how he shows his concerns and care!!
He was very personable, honest, open to all questions gave detailed but understandable explanations.
Thank you. You were amazing. I'm glad we had the opportunity to be seen by you.
Dr. Speirs is an exceptional physician. He is obviously competent but also has a kind and personable bedside manner that helps nervous patients feel at ease.
Dr. treats you like family, looking out for the best care and making sure the patient is top priority. He also makes sure the family is informed of all options and possibilities that are available.
A very kind and understanding man
He was great with my son and able to explain different options in terms we understood.
Dr. Speirs was so good with my 2 year old after he broke his leg. He went out of his way to make him feel safe and included. Excellent bedside manner. He was caring and kind and made me feel at ease as well.
Dr Speirs is wonderful when interacting with our child about an upcoming surgery. He explained the procedure in a way we all could understand and answered all our questions phenomenally.
Dr. Speirs is very thorough and explains things very well so that you understand. He listens to any concerns you may have as well and addresses them.
Dr. Speirs is wonderful. He is good at his craft and very personable. I never felt like he was in a rush and he always took whatever time I needed to make me feel comfortable.
Very good Dr. [TRANSLATED]
Dr. Speirs was AMAZING to work with. I loved that he wanted to get the opinion of other Drs/Surgeons to make the best possible decision for my son! We highly recommend him to others!