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Thomas Jefferson University - John K. Ratliff
John K. Ratliff

Neurosurgery
Thomas Jefferson University
Jefferson Medical College
Associate Professor
Department of Neurological Surgery
and Orthopedic Surgery
Mailing Address
909 Walnut Street, 2nd Floor
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
United States
Contact Information
Phone: 215-955-7000
Fax: 215-503-9170
john.ratliff@jefferson.edu
Expertise and Research Interests
Dr. Ratliff is a Board Certified neurosurgeon experienced in treating patients with a broad range of neurological disorders. He is skilled in complex spinal surgery allowing him to care for patients with degenerative disease of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, primary and metastatic spinal tumors, spinal infections, and chronic pain disorders. He is experienced in spinal reconstruction techniques, including all modern types of spinal instrumentation and implants. He is also skilled in artificial disc replacement surgery, which has shown to reduce post-operative pain and speed recovery time.

With a special interest and subspecialty expertise in peripheral nerve disorders, Dr. Ratliff is also well versed in the neurosurgical evaluation and treatment of nerve compression syndromes and peripheral nerve trauma, including complex reconstructive peripheral nerve surgery. He has special expertise in treating patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury and peripheral nerve tumors.

Dr. Ratliff earned his medical degree from Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana in 1995. After receiving his degree, Dr. Ratliff continued his medical education in New Orleans with an internship in surgery and a residency in neurological surgery at Louisiana State University, New Orleans. In 1999 Dr. Ratliff accepted the prestigious Clinical Research Fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Division, Surgical Neurology Branch in Bethesda, Maryland. His research focused on augmentation of peripheral nerve regeneration and spinal cord drug delivery. Following the completion of his research fellowship in 2000, Dr. Ratliff continued his specialty training with a Spine Surgery Fellowship at New York University in New York, New York.

Dr. Ratliff is a respected author, lecturer and researcher. His research interests focus on augmenting nerve regeneration. He is a member of various professional organizations, including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurological Surgery, the Southern Neurosurgical Association, and the North American Spine Society.
Publications
  • Peer reviewed:

  • Simopoulos DN, Ratliff JK, Elahi P, et al. Cholesterol levels in 1084 healthy New Orleans males. Journal of the Louisiana State Medical Society 145: 346-351, 1993.

  • Connolly ES, Ratliff JK. Management of lumbar instability. Neurosurgery Quarterly 7: 1-10, 1997.

  • Ratliff JK, Connolly ES. Intramedullary tuberculoma of the spinal cord: Case report and review of the literature. Journal of Neurosurgery (Spine 1) 90: 125-128, 1999.

  • Ratliff JK, Voorhies RM. Arteriovenous fistula with associated aneurysm in conjunction with dural arteriovenous malformation of the inferior sagittal sinus: Case report and review of the literature. Journal of Neurosurgery 91: 303-307, 1999.

  • Ratliff JK, Mahoney PS, Kline DG. Tethered cord syndrome in adults: Case report and review of the literature for the primary care physician. Southern Medical Journal 92: 1199-1203, 1999.

  • Ratliff JK, Voorhies RM. Increased MRI signal intensity in association with myelopathy and cervical instability: Case report and review of the literature. Surgical Neurology 53: 8-13, 2000.

  • Ratliff JK, Voorhies RM. Osteochondroma of C5 lamina presenting with cord compression: Case report and review of the literature. Spine 25: 1293-1295, 2000.

  • Ratliff JK, Oldfield EH. Multiple pituitary adenomas in Cushings disease. Journal of Neurosurgery 93: 753-761, 2000.

  • Ratliff JK, Jacques L, Kline DG. Contemporary Management of Peripheral Nerve Trauma. Seminars in Neurosurgery 12: 19-28, 2001.

  • Ratliff JK, Voorhies RM. Outcome Study of Surgical Treatment for Axial Neck Pain. Southern Medical Journal 94: 595-602, 2001.

  • Ratliff JK, Nguyen T, Heiss J. Root and cord compression from methylmethacrylate vertebroplasty: Case report. Spine 12: E300-2, 2001.

  • Tender GC, Ratliff J, Awasthi D, Buechter K. Gunshot wounds to the neck. Southern Medical Journal 94: 830-832, 2001.

  • Ratliff JK, Oldfield EH. Convection-enhanced delivery in intact and lesioned peripheral nerve. Journal of Neurosurgery 95: 1001-1011, 2001.

  • Ratliff JK, Cooper P. Critical meta-analysis of the laminoplasty world literature. Journal of Neurosurgery (Spine) 98 (3): 230-238, 2003.

  • Ratliff JK, Frempong-Boadu A, Cooper P. Spinal metastatic disease. Southern Medical Journal 97: 246-253, 2004.

  • Sani S, Ratliff JK, Cooper P. Critical meta-analysis of the laminoplasty world literature. Neurosurgery Quarterly 14: 5-16, 2004.

  • Jimenez J, Sani S, Braverman B, Deutsch H, Ratliff JK. C5 Palsies After Cervical Decompression: Prevention Via Continuous Intraoperative EMG Monitoring. Journal of Neurosurgery (Spine) 3: 92-97, 2005.

  • Beiner JM, Sastry A, Berschuk MR, Grauer J, Kwon BK, Ratliff, JK, Stock GH, Vaccaro AR. An aneurismal bone cyst in the cervical spine of a 10 year-old girl: A case report. Spine 31: E475-479, 2006.

  • Non-peer reviewed:

  • Connolly ES, Ratliff JK. Management of lumbar instability. Neurosurgery Quarterly 7: 1-10, 1997.

  • Ratliff JK, Jacques L, Kline DG. Contemporary Management of Peripheral Nerve Trauma.

  • Seminars in Neurosurgery 12: 19-28, 2001.

  • Sani S, Ratliff JK, Cooper P. Critical meta-analysis of the laminoplasty world literature. Neurosurgery Quarterly 14: 5-16, 2004.

  • Book Chapters:

  • Cooper P, Ratliff JK. Cervical laminectomy. In Herkowitz HH, ed.: The Cervical Spine Surgery Atlas. New York, Lipincott Williams and Wilkens, pp. 197-201, 2004.

  • Sani S, Smith A, Ratliff JK. Spinal Cord Tumors. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2004.

  • Sani S, Smith A, Ratliff JK. Peripheral Nerve: Traumatic Nerve Injuries, Repair and Reconstruction. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2004.

  • Sani S, Ajiboye N, Ratliff JK. Spinal Cord Injury and Repair. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2004.

  • Atkuru L, Ratliff JK. Brachial Plexus Anatomy. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2004.

  • Ratliff JK. Thoracolumbar burst fractures. Online lecture. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2004.

  • Ratliff JK. Spondylosis, spondylolysis and spondylolisthesisDefinition, clinical assessment. Online lecture. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2004.

  • Deutsch H, Ratliff JK. Endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery of the spine. In Schmidek HH and Roberts DW eds: Operative Neurosurgical Techniques. Philadelphia, Elsevier, pp.2047-2054, 2006.

  • Musacchio M, Ratliff JK. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2005.

  • Musacchio M, Ratliff JK. Posterior Interosseous Neuropathy. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2005.

  • Musacchio M, Ratliff JK. Operative techniques: Cervical lateral mass screw placemtn, C1-2 lateral mass fixation. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2005.

  • Musacchio M, Ratliff JK. Minimally Invasive Lumber Interbody Fusion. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2005.

  • Bagan B, Ratliff JK. Fractures of the Subaxial Cervical Spine. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2005.

  • Boco T, Ratliff JK. Disorders of the Cervical Spine. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2005.

  • Musacchio M, Ratliff JK. Operative technique: Lumbar pedicle screw placement. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2005.

  • Patel, N. Ratliff JK. Ankylosing spondylitits. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2005.

  • Patel, N. Ratliff JK. Options for lumbar interbody fusion. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2005.

  • Harrop J, Sharan A, Ratliff JK. Central Cord Syndrome: Pathophysiology. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2006.

  • Harrop J, Sharan A, Ratliff JK. Resection of intradural intramedullary or extramedullary spinal tumors. Elsevier Online Neurosurgical Atlas. Burlington, Elsevier, 2006.

  • Ratliff JK. Minimally Invasive TLIF: Surgical Indications and Outcomes Part 1. Online lecture. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2006.

  • Ratliff JK. Minimally Invasive TLIF: Surgical Indications and Outcomes Part 2. Online lecture. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2006.

  • Ratliff JK. Surgical Treatment of High-Grade Spondylolisthesis: To Reduce or Not to Reduce. Online lecture. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2006.

  • Ratliff JK. Cervical Motion Preservation Techniques. Online lecture. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2006.

  • Byrd JA, Ratliff JK. Polaris Surgical Technique. EBI Spine technical sheet. Parsippany, EBI Spine, 2006.

  • Vadera A, Vaccaro A, Harrop J, Sharon A, Ratliff J. Management of cervical facet dislocations. Prepared for Seminars in Spine Surgery Elsevier Science 2006.

  • Brown MJ, Ratliff JK. Cervical radiculopathy. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2006.

  • Jeyamohan S, Ratliff JK, Harrop J, Wang D. Conservative treatment of radiculopathy. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2006.

  • Jung M, Harrop J, Ratliff JK. Sciatic nerve anatomy. In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2006.

  • Jeyamohan S, Ratliff JK. Classifying types of thoracolumbar injury: The Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS). In Frassica FJ and DAmbrosia RD eds: SLACK Orthopedics Hyperguide. Philadelphia, SLACK Publishing, 2006.

  • Lectures by Invitation:

  • May 2000: Ratliff JK, Oldfield EH. Therapeutic potential of convection enhanced delivery in peripheral nerve lesions. Presented at Grand Rounds, Department of Neurosurgery, Walter Reed Army Medical Center (Bethesda, Maryland).

  • May 2000: Ratliff JK, Proebschadt M, Merrill M, Oldfield EH. Convection enhanced delivery to lesioned rat sciatic nerve/Neurotrophic activity of VEGF in lesioned peripheral nerve. Presented at the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Surgical Neurology Branch departmental conference (Bethesda, Maryland).

  • May 2000: Ratliff JK, Oldfield EH. Therapeutic potential of convection enhanced delivery in peripheral nerve lesions. Presented at Grand Rounds, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia).

  • October 2001: Ratliff JK, Oldfield EH. Convection-enhanced delivery in intact and lesioned peripheral nerves. Presented at Neurosurgery and Neurology Grand Rounds, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital (Boson, Massachusetts.

  • October 2002: Ratliff JK. Surgical treatment of spinal metastases. Presented at Department of Hematology and Oncology Grand Rounds, Rush Cancer Institute (Chicago, Illinois).

  • January 2003: Ratliff JK. Current management of traumatic peripheral nerve injury. Presented at Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery Combined Grand Rounds, Rush University (Chicago, Illinois).

  • February 2003: Ratliff JK. Posterior cervical surgical approaches. Presented at Department of Neurosurgery Grand Rounds, Louisiana State University School of Medicine (New Orleans, Louisiana).

  • June 2003: Ratliff JK. Low back pain. Presented at Department of General Surgery Grand Rounds, Rush University School of Medicine (Chicago, Illinois).

  • August 2003: Ratliff JK. Minimally invasive spinal surgery. Presented at New Frontiers in Spinal Management symposium, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Illinois at Peoria (Peoria, Illinois).

  • January 2004: Ratliff JK. Developments in spinal surgery. Presented at Rush Oak Park Hospital Department of Medicine Grand Rounds (Oak Park, Illinois).

  • July 2004: Ratliff JK. Developments in spinal surgery. Presented at American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Interactive Physiatric Approach of the Management of Lumbar Spine Disorders. (Chicago, Illinois).

Individual Expertise profile of John K. Ratliff, Copyright © John K. Ratliff.
Last Updated by John Ratliff : Tuesday, May 19, 2009 10:05:06 AM



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