About Jeffrey A. Kozak, MD
Jeffrey Kozak, MD is a specialist in spinal reconstructive surgery and a noted surgeon, inventor, and contributor to the body of spinal literature. His clinical practice emphasizes non-surgical conservative care and offers a complete spectrum of spinal surgical interventions from out-patient spine surgery to major spinal reconstruction.
Dr. Kozak's special interest is to help patients who obtained a poor result with prior spinal surgery. He is also keenly interested in training other spine surgeons in the anterior approach to spinal disorders. In addition, Dr. Kozak has participated in the design of several spinal implants and holds several patents for various spinal fixation devices and interbody constructs.
A native of West Texas, Dr. Kozak earned his Bachelor's Degrees in Biomedical Engineering and Electrical Engineering with honors from Duke University. He completed his Medical Doctorate, internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. During his residency he received the Paul Harrington Award for Excellence in Orthopedic Surgery. He was awarded a spinal fellowship in England, France, and Germany, to study with many of the world's leading spinal specialists.
Dr. Kozak is the Founding Member and past President of the Texas Spine Society and has held many other prestigious appointments including The Texas Workers' Compensation Spine Task Force, North American Spine Society Outcome Committee, Charter Diplomat of the American Board of Spine Surgery, and Vice Chief of Staff, Texas Orthopedic Hospital in Houston, TX.
He has completed more than 50 academic productions, including professional articles, book chapters, and symposium presentations. He has served as a faculty member in several spinal instrumentation courses. After being appointed to the Texas Workers' Compensation Task Force, Dr. Kozak was one of the leading contributors in the creation of an extensive guideline to improve the care of the Texas worker with spinal injuries.
Dr. Kozak is an active member of many professional societies including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, Texas Spine Society, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Texas Medical Foundation, American Back Society, Harris County Medical Society, and Houston Orthopedic Society.
1. "Laser Epiphysiodesis Using a Rabbit Model", Transactions at the 32nd Annual Meeting, Orthopedic Research Society, Volume II, page 161, 1986.
2. "Anterior Cervical Diskectomy, Microscopic Decompression and Fusion for Cervical Radiculopathy", Journal of Spinal Disorders, 2:43- 46, 1989.
3. "Simultaneous Combined Anterior and Posterior Fusion - An Independent Analysis of a Treatment for the Disabled Low Back Pain Patient", Spine, 15:322-328, 1990.
4. "Rectus Sheath Hematoma After Anterior Lumbar Fusion", Spine 16:1377, 1991.
5. "The Limitations of MR Imaging in the Diagnosis of Pathologic Vertebral Fractures", Spine 16:919-923, 1991.
6. "A Modified Technique of Anterior Lumbar Fusion with Femoral Cortical Allograft", J. Orthopedic Surgical Techniques, 5:83-93, 1990.
7. "Mechanics of Acute Stability in Lumbar Interbody Grafts", Grant submitted, Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service (1/91), Resubmitted 2/92.
8. "The Sickle Ligament Revisited: Release of the Lumbosacral Ligament Via an Anterior Approach", Spine, 18:2127-2130, 1993.
9. "Interspace Distraction and Graft Subsidence Following Anterior Lumbar Fusion Femoral Strut Allograft", Spine, 18:2393-2400, 1993.
10. "Spinal Tuberculosis" (Chapter in Rehabilitation of the Spine, Science and Practice), Ed. Hochschuler, Cotler, Guyer, C.V. Mosby, pp. 387-390, 1993.
11. "The Effect of Operative Position on Sagittal Alignment of the Lumbar Spine", Accepted: Spine (3/93).
12. "Anterior Lumbar Fusion Options: Techniques and Graft Materials", Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 300:45-51, 1994.
13. "Continuous Epidural Pain Management for the Spinal Fusion Patient", Abstract for The North American Spine Society Meeting, Maui, Hawaii, 1994.
14. "Sacroiliac Dysfunction, Natural History and Conservative Management", Abstract for The North American Spine Society Meeting, Maui, Hawaii, 1994.
15. "Comparative Biomechanical Analysis of Anterior Interbody Fusion Devices", Poster Exhibit at The North American Spine Society Meeting, Minneapolis, October 19-22, 1994.
16. "Outcome Factors in the Treatment of Infections in Lumbar Spine Surgery", Abstract for The North American Spine Society, 1995 meeting.
17. "Evaluation of an Ovine Spine Fusion Model", Abstract for Orthopedic Research Society, 1996.
18. "Symptom Magnification with and without Thought Disorders", Abstract for AAOS 1997 meeting.
19. "S.T.E.P.: A Rational Means to Ration Health Care. A Decision Model for Maximizing Outcomes in Spine Treatment", Abstract for AAOS 1997 meeting.
20. "Outcomes Management through a Spinal Treatment Evaluation Process", Journal of Rehabilitation Outcomes Measurement, 1:15-23, 1997.
21. "The Impact of Patient Outcomes on Standardized Outcome Measures from the SF-36" Poster Presentation at North American Spine Society, 1997.
22. "Isthmic Spondylolisthesis: Reduction vs. In-Situ Fusion", Back Up Vol. 2, pp 4-9, 2002.
Articles Written by Jeffrey A. Kozak, MD
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