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Arash Emami, M.D.

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Board-Certified: American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

Dr. Arash Emami is nationally recognized as a pioneer and a highly accomplished orthopedic spine surgeon in both operative and nonsurgical treatment of adult and pediatric spinal disorders. He is board-certified and fellowship-trained in both Orthopedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery and specializes in major spinal disorders as well as complex spinal reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Emami achieved a significant milestone as the first spine surgeon in New Jersey to successfully perform cervical and lumbar disc arthroplasty, offering patients innovative alternatives to traditional fusion procedures, and he has been pushing the boundaries of effective orthopedic treatments ever since.

As one of the first surgeons in the state to introduce minimally-invasive spinal surgery, Dr. Emami has been dedicated to revolutionizing spinal treatments with groundbreaking techniques and research. His novel research and original publications on the safety of outpatient spinal surgeries have earned him widespread recognition. Doing his part in ensuring that the field of orthopedic surgery continues to evolve for the better, Dr. Emami has trained and mentored hundreds of orthopedic surgeons and shared his knowledge and novel surgical techniques through hundreds of presentations at scientific meetings worldwide.

Dr. Emami’s impressive credentials include serving as the Chairman of Orthopedics and Chief of Spine Surgery at St. Joseph’s University Medical Center, where he continues to bring exceptional care to his patients. He also holds the esteemed position of Associate Professor of Orthopedics at Seton Hall University.

His exceptional skills and contributions have earned him a place in the media spotlight, with features on major networks such as ABC, CBS, and HBO, as well as The Star Ledger. Dr. Emami’s dedication to patient care and excellence in his field have led to prestigious recognitions, including being recognized as a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly for 18 consecutive years and for nine years by New Jersey Monthly.

Beyond his accolades, Dr. Emami has also had the privilege of being the treating physician and spine surgeon for numerous professional hockey and football players, solidifying his reputation as a trusted expert among athletes. As a founder of both University Spine Center and OrthoEast, Dr. Emami takes great pride in surrounding himself with highly skilled and committed surgical colleagues. In his own words, “our goal is to make people feel better and return to a life without pain, when surgery is the only option, our success rate is exemplary.”

With Dr. Arash Emami, you can be confident that you are in the care of a visionary and compassionate spine surgeon who continues to redefine the boundaries of spinal treatment. Dr. Emami is currently accepting new patients at the Wayne, Clifton, and Manhattan OrthoEast offices.

Dr. Arash Emami

Dr. Arash Emami’s Specialties

Dr. Emami specializes in operative and nonsurgical treatment of adult and pediatric spinal disorders.

  • check Operative Treatment of Spinal Disorders
  • check Nonsurgical (Conservative) Spine Care
  • check Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
  • check Cervical and Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty (Artificial Disc Replacement)
  • check Complex Spinal Reconstructive Surgery
  • check Scoliosis Treatment

Dr. Arash Emami’s Education & Achievements

Get to know Dr. Emami— a leading orthopedic spine surgeon at University Spine Center.

  • University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine

  • General and Orthopedic Surgery, University of Chicago

  • University of California at San Francisco, Orthopedic Surgery and Spinal Surgery

  • American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
  • North American Spine Society
  • Scoliosis Research Society
  • Society of Lateral Spine Surgery
  • Society of Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • New Jersey Orthopedic Society
  • New Jersey Spine Surgery Society

  • St. Joseph’s Health Totowa Health Campus
  • St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center
  • St. Joseph’s University Medical Center
  • HMH Hackensack University Medical Center
  • Mt. Sinai St. Luke’s
  • Valley Hospital
  • Englewood Hospital
  • Holy Name Medical Center
  • Morristown Medical Center
  • Chilton Medical Center

  • America’s Top Spine Surgeons
  • New York/New Jersey Top Doctors: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022,2023,2024 and 2025
  • NJ Favorite Kids’ Doctor: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022,2023,2024 and 2025
Dr. Arash Emami University Spine Center
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Dr. Arash Emami’s Publications

Comparing clinical and radiological outcomes between single-level OLIF and XLIF: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The 5-factor modified Frailty Index (mFI-5) predicts adverse outcomes after elective Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak after elective lumbar spinal fusion: Who is at risk?

Obesity Does Not Adversely Affect Long-term Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Matched Cohort Analysis

Should we bridge the cervicothoracic junction in long cervical fusions? A meta-analysis and systematic review of the literature

Long-term Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion in the Treatment of Adult Scoliosis

Does Percutaneous Lumbosacral Pedicle Screw Instrumentation Prevent Long-Term Adjacent Segment Disease after Lumbar Fusion?

Comparing Mid-Term Outcomes Between ACDF and Minimally Invasive Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy in the Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy

Metal-on-metal versus metal-on-plastic artificial discs in two-level anterior cervical disc replacement: a meta-analysis with follow-up of 5 years or more