Biography

Eric O. Klineberg, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon, professor, and vice chair in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at UTHealth Houston. He also serves as chief of orthopedic spine surgery and holds the Milton “Chip” Routt Endowed Chair of Spinal Surgery.

Dr. Klineberg specializes in advanced and minimally invasive techniques for back and neck conditions. Robotic and endoscopic surgery are part of his practice when appropriate. He cares for patients with spine injuries, tumors, and infections. His expertise also includes herniated or worn discs, spinal narrowing, pinched nerves, scoliosis, arthritis, osteoporosis-related fractures, and slipped vertebrae. His procedures include spinal fusion, disc replacement, and surgeries that relieve pressure on nerves or stabilize the spine. Above all, he is dedicated to providing evidence-based, compassionate care tailored to each patient.

Before joining UTHealth Houston, Dr. Klineberg spent 16 years at the University of California, Davis. There, he served as professor and vice chair of orthopedics, spine surgery chief, and Spine Center co-director. During that time, he provided complex spine care at UC Davis Medical Center and Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California.

Today, Dr. Klineberg is an internationally recognized expert in spinal deformity surgery. His academic contributions include more than 300 peer-reviewed publications and 20 book chapters. He also edited Adult Lumbar Scoliosis: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Management. In addition, he is the principal investigator on several multicenter spine studies. His leadership roles include serving on the Executive Committee of the International Spine Study Group, acting as Chair-elect of AO Spine North America, and sitting on the Board of the Scoliosis Research Society.

A graduate of Rice University, Dr. Klineberg is proud to return to Texas and now provides advanced spine care to patients in Bellaire and the Greater Houston area.

If you would like to schedule an appointment, please click here or call the clinic directly.

You can learn more about our orthopedic spine specialty at UTHealth Houston.

Education

Undergraduate Degree
Rice University, Houston, Texas
Masters Degree
Master of Science, Zoology Emphasis in Neural Plasticity, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Medical Degree
Doctor of Medicine, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Residency
Orthopedic Surgery, University of Washington Medical System, Seattle, Washington Medi
Fellowship
Combined Neurosurgery and Orthopaedic Surgical Spine Fellowship , The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio

Areas of Interest

Clinical Interests

  • Adult and pediatric spinal deformity
  • Scoliosis and kyphosis correction
  • Revision spine surgery
  • Degenerative cervical and lumbar spine conditions
  • Minimally invasive spine surgery
  • Spinal trauma, spinal tumors, and infections.
  • Herniated and degenerative disc disease
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Sciatica
  • Spinal arthritis
  • Osteoporotic spinal fractures
  • Failed back surgery syndrome
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Cervical radiculopathy
  • Lumbar radiculopathy
  • Spinal fusion surgery
  • Disc replacement surgery
  • Laminectomy and discectomy
  • Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty
  • Motion-preserving spine surgery
  • Robotic spine surgery
  • Endoscopic spine surgery
  • Cervical spine surgery
  • Lumbar spine surgery

Research Interests

  • Enhancement of spinal fusion with stem cells and proteins.
  • Spinal deformity and outcomes