David Xu, MD
Physician, Associate Professor
Neurological Surgery
Make an appointment
614-293-8714
Accepting new patients
Conditions and expertise
- Spinal Care
- Spondylosis
- Kyphosis
- Spinal Cord Compression
- Spinal Cord Tumors
- Spondylolisthesis
Locations
- Outpatient Care Dublin
- Outpatient Care New Albany
Academic information
Department: Neurological Surgery
About
- Gender
- Male
Biography
I am a neurosurgeon specializing in the treatment of spine disorders, injuries, and illnesses. I obtained my medical degree at Northwestern University and finished neurosurgery residency at the Barrow Neurological Institute, where I also completed a fellowship in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery.
My areas of focus and expertise include:
• Complex spine surgery, with particular focus on revision spine surgery
• Minimally invasive surgery, including spinal endoscopy and robotic surgery
• Spine deformities and scoliosis
• Spine tumors and oncologic surgery
Overall, my philosophy is to use the most minimally invasive treatment strategies to address my patient’s conditions, including maximizing all non-surgical measures first. For complex or challenging problems that cannot be addressed adequately with a minimally invasive option, I can also offer the entire spectrum of traditional surgical techniques.
I treat my patients as partners, and strive to communicate clearly, patiently, and above all else, honestly about all matters relevant to their health and care. I will always take a stand for my patients’ best interests, especially if it doesn’t include surgery!
Highlights
- Written over 60 peer-reviewed research papers and textbook chapters
- Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2019, 2020
- Selected as one of Houston's Top Spine Surgeons in 2020-2021 through a city-wide physician survey conducted by Houstonia Magazine
- Member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, The American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and the Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Conditions and expertise
- Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
- Kyphosis
- Radiculopathy
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Care
- Spinal Cord Compression
- Spinal Cord Tumors
- Spinal Fusion
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spondylosis
Locations
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Credentials
Education
- Fellowship - Neurosurgery
- Barrow Neurological Institute/St. Josephs Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ
7/1/2017 - 7/1/2018 - Fellowship - Neurosurgery
- Toronto Western Hospital GME, Toronto, ON, Canada
1/1/2017 - 7/1/2017 - Residency - Neurological Surgery
- Barrow Neurological Institute/St. Josephs Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ
7/1/2012 - 6/30/2019 - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
8/27/2007 - 5/24/2012
Certification
-
American Board of Neurological Surgery
11/5/2022
Ratings and reviews
The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
212 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
Patient Comments
Consulting and Related Relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 11/3/2025, Dr. Xu has reported no relationships with companies or entities.
Dr Xu is a wonderful, caring doctor who always answers all of my questions and explains my options.
Dr Xu was extremely thorough and took the time to explain everything to me.
Good
He talks so a normal human can understand him, answers all questions thoroughly, kind as well as knowledgeable, and a sense of humor.
Def knows his specialty. I did feel rushed after I waited quite a while
Dr. Zu is fabulous. I felt like I knew him all my life when he walked in the room. He explained the problem throughly and showed me what exactly what the problems were with X-rays, which was very helpful. Dr Zu was very caring, kind, listened to me and compassionate. I was very impressed and grateful that he took his time with me.
He explained my progress clearly and listened to my concerns about my difficulty walking as a result of unequal leg length.
Very helpful. Explained very well.
My first appointment went well.
Listened to my questions and answered completely
Dr Xu is extremely smart. We discussed several issues and he told me things I never heard before. Unfortunately he recommended that I may need ifuse for my si joint. I have done multiple studies on this procedure it's around 55% success rate. I would like to know how many surgeries he has done with ifuse and the success rate for all patients good or bad.
Very friendly and outgoing, Knowledgeable
Great demeanor, patiently answered questions
He spoke to both me and my husband but he focused the conversation directly towards me as the patient which I appreciated
Always professional always take the time to listen to my concerns
Good
Took the time to listen to me.
Like caregiver very much. Very friendly. Listened to what I had to say
The doctor explained things extremely well he was very good
He was very nice very understanding and answered our questions to where we could understand
The best I've had
Always informative, professional, and friendly Trust him with my care plan
He was very informative in describing my condition and answered all of my questions fully.
Dr David Su is excellent!!!!!
Dr.Xu is amazing.
I'm glad I went to see him
Very friendly. Made sure all my questions were answered answered
Excellent!! Dr Xu is a great doctor or surgeon
Always explain what's going on and always takes his time so you will know and understand what is happening
Very nice and explained everything very well didn't pressure me to make decision on surgery. Explained benefits and what the downfalls might happen. Dr. Xu was amazing would recommend him to everybody with back issues.
Kind, approachable and made me feel at ease. Thoroughand explained clearly his opinion for options.
Good
He was very communicative and nice
This provider was very professional and explained my condition better than any other provider I have seen for this problem.
Nice
Love Dr Xu. Very personable, caring. Willing to help you. Takes his time with you. Explaines problems well.
Dr.Xu presented as extremely knowledgeable, very personable, very honest, and an overall great human being.
Listened to my concerns
He's the most awesome human on the earth. He gave me my life back. So incredibly brilliant and skillful. I'm forever grateful and blessed!!
Dr Xu is an amazing doctor who I will refer to in the future. He is caring and listens well.
Very good.
He's great
Exceptional loved
Very considierate. Explained things well for my family too
The provider was wonderful. He was so caring and you could tell that he really felt bad telling me that he could not help me. That my back was in such terrible shape and that I had my age against me to have the surgery to help me.
Dr. Xu is patient, kind and well informed. He is helping me find a path forward post surgery that did not go as expected with a different Dr.who Is not In the OSU system.I wish I had seen him earlier!!!
I am no young chicken, therefore, I have experienced more than my fair share of health care providers. Dr. Xu is one of the best.
NICE AND PERSONABLE
Very Good. He explained all my options and what I may be facing with my condition
Wonderfully helpful and concerned
Friendly. Easy to talk with and understand. Felt very comfortable.
He was awesome. Explained my x-rays so I know what to expect from surgery.
He understood what I was dealing with and explained the problem as well as treatment options completely. He spent as much time as we needed to answer our questions without rushing us.
Dr was amazing I have been having problems for years and multiple areas of pain problems and issues he listened and is willing to help me just a long road first with other issues so I can have multiple surgeries.
Very very pleaseda long wait but so worth it wait time, but very worth the wait
Dr Xu explains and shows me my ct and explains what I'm dealing with, and the plan going forward at this time.
Dr Xu was great! He explained everything in detail and was honest about my diagnosis. He was not just interested in pushing me through or having an unnecessary surgery. I would highly recommend him to anyone who has back problems!
Dr Xu is an excellent Dr. Iv already recommended him to others.
Dr. XU was very helpful answering my questions.He was very nice & spent time with me & my husband.
Dr Xu was awesome! I don't mind saying I've been very disenchanted with a lot of doctors lately. Dr Xu is most definitely the exception. He's very personable, very easy to talk to and very thorough. He listened! Not something that happens with physicians these days. I really can't say enough good things about him and the rest of the staff.
Dr XU is phenomenal physician w excellent explanation and professional treatment of concerns I had about back surgery! He is excellent!
Very personable and caring about my condition in
Cery knowledgeable and listened to concerns
He was very thorough. Direct on what I needed done.
Dr. Xu very helpful ,patient well informed very respectful
Dr very knowledgeable, listened well and provided options
Liked he was direct and in normal terms to were we knew exactly what I need done
I had a great experience with my care provider Dr Xu MD
No bad experience
Very satisfied
All of the interactions with the physicians and support staff were positive.
Dr Xu is exceptional explaining my medicalConcerns and options available to me as well as his recommendations.
He sat and listened to me took in the information asked good questions felt I was important!
Great personality
He was light hearted knowledgeable and very caring
From the moment he came into the room, l knew he was going to give me the best possible care and by the time are appointment ended, l had total trust in his professional and personal abilities.
Dr. Xu was great
All good
I was very pleased with my provider
Good
Excellent