Biography

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

His clinical expertise includes advanced and minimally invasive techniques to treat back and neck problems, using robotic and endoscopic surgery when appropriate. He cares for patients with spine injuries, tumors, infections, and conditions such as herniated or worn discs, spinal narrowing, pinched nerves, scoliosis, arthritis, osteoporosis-related fractures, and slipped vertebrae. Procedures include spinal fusion, disc replacement, and surgeries to relieve pressure on the nerves or stabilize the spine. Dr. Klineberg is dedicated to delivering evidence-based, compassionate care tailored to each patient’s unique needs.

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

Dr. Klineberg is an internationally recognized expert in spinal deformity surgery with over 300 peer-reviewed publications and 20 book chapters. He is the editor of Adult Lumbar Scoliosis: A Clinical Guide to Diagnosis and Management, and a principal investigator on several multicenter spine studies. He serves on the Executive Committee of the International Spine Study Group, is Chair-elect of AO Spine North America, and is a Board Member of the Scoliosis Research Society.

A graduate of Rice University, Dr. Klineberg is proud to return to Texas and provide 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.

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