Department of Orthopaedic Surgery

Vivek Sharma, MD

  • Clinical Associate Professor

Education & Training

  • MD, G.S. Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital Program, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India
  • Residency: G.S. Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital Program, University of Mumbai, Mumbai, India
  • Fellow, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Mumbai, India
  • Fellowship: Children’s Hospital Boston, Beth Israel Deaconess, New England Baptist, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
  • Fellowship: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH
  • Fellowship: University of Minnesota and VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN
  • Fellowship: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, The Christ Hospital and Mayfield Neurosurgical Society, Cincinnati, OH

Representative Publications

  1. Lykissas MG, Sharma V, Crawford AH.  Assessment of Rib Hump Deformity Correction in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis With or Without Costoplasty Using the Double Rib Contour Sign.  J Spinal Disord Tech.  Volume 28, Number 4, 1 May 2015, pp. 134-139(6)
  2. Sharma V, Cheng EY.  Outcomes after excision of pigmented villonodular synovitis of the knee.  Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2009 Nov;467(11):2852-8.
  3. Sharma V, Morgan PM, Cheng EY.  Factors influencing early rehabilitation after THA: A Systematic Review.  Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2009 Jun;467(6):1400-11.
  4. Sharma V, Curtis C, Micheli L.  Extra-articular extraosseous migration of a bioabsorbable femoral interference screw after ACL reconstruction.  Orthopedics. 2008 Oct;31(10).
  5. Sharma V, Crawford AH, Evans J, Collins MH.  Sequential Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma.  J Pediatr Orthop B. 2008 Nov;17(6):333-7.
  6. Curtis C, Sharma V, Micheli L.  Delayed union of a scapular fracture-an unusual cause of persistent shoulder pain.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2007 Dec;39(12):2095-8.

Research Interests

Special Interest in the clinical application and teaching aspect of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. I have been involved in arranging anatomy labs, clinical lectures, cadaver labs and technique demonstrations of various surgical techniques for minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery procedures, to teach residents and fellows. Planning to expand the learning opportunities for residents and fellows in the field of minimally invasive spine surgery. This training is currently lacking at the University of Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Residency and Orthopaedic Spine Fellowship programs.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery allows application of cutting-edge technology with state-of-the-art techniques for faster post-operative recovery with less intraoperative blood loss, shorter hospital stay and less post-operative pain in patient undergoing spinal surgery.

Current Ongoing Clinical Research in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery:

  • Single Paraspinal Access microscope-assisted Unilateral Lumbar Laminectomy Bilateral Decompression (ULLBD) with/without posterior fusion via beveled non-expandable slotted tube: Early Clinical Experience with Initial Consecutive Cases at a University-Affiliated Peripheral Community Hospital.
  • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Program Implementation at a University-Affiliated Acute Care Peripheral Non-Teaching Rural Community Hospital: Early Clinical Experience with Initial Consecutive Cases After Launch 
  • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS) + ERAS protocols enable "Direct Hospital to Home" disposition with lower opioid prescriptions; but may not alter chronic narcotic dependence.
  • Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MITLIF) using 3D printed titanium cage+ Unilateral Pedicle Screws (UPS) construct: Early Experience with Initial Consecutive Cases
  • Minimally invasive spine surgery techniques+ osseointergration implant technology can safely and effectively lower spine hardware density in short segment lumbar spine fusions. [one year follow-up]
  • Radiation exposure beyond surgeon learning curve in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at Community Hospital: Relevant, low but remains directly proportional to patient BMI and Complexity of Surgery.
  • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery can mitigate COVID-19 transmission risk by minimizing the perioperative Institutionalized Care duration. (Length of hospital stay plus discharge to SNF/ inpatient rehab)