Elizabeth Yu, MD
Physician, Professor
Orthopaedic Surgery - Spine, Orthopaedic Surgery
Make an appointment
614-293-2225
Accepting new patients
Conditions and expertise
- Spinal Care
- Kyphosis
- Spinal Curvatures
- Spinal Cord Compression
- Lumbar Vertebrae
- Spondylolisthesis
Locations
- Outpatient Care New Albany
- Spine Care
Academics and research
Department: Orthopaedics
About
- Gender
- Female
Biography
As an orthopedic surgeon at Ohio State, I specialize in the treatment of spinal disease and disorders. Some of my clinical interests include spinal stenosis, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease and degenerative scoliosis.
I take the time to develop relationships with my patients and choose treatment options based on what is in their best interest. I work to improve their quality of life by exhausting all treatment options before considering surgery. When surgery is needed to treat a patient, my team and I are here to provide the best possible surgical care.
Working at Ohio State is great because of the friendly and compassionate environment. My job also allows me to work with amazing and talented physicians.
View my video on herniated discs: https://youtu.be/SEbUzHGWVGE
Highlights
- Recipient of Benjamin R. and Helen Slack Wiltberger Endowed Chair in Orthopaedic Spine Surgery (effective November 2023)
- Chief of the Division of Spine in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (effective August 2023)
- Rated in top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2016
- Published peer-reviewed papers, book chapters and presented research locally, nationally and internationally
- Invited membership to national committees advancing spine surgery research
- Elected Member of American Orthopedic Association, Cervical Spine Research Society, and Lumbar Spine Research Society
- Elected Member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
- Fellowship Director, OSU Orthopedic Spine Fellowship program
- Director of OSU Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Service
- Named to Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors list (2019-2023)
Conditions and expertise
- Back Pain
- Bone Fractures
- Diskectomy
- Fracture Fixation
- Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
- Kyphosis
- Lumbar Vertebrae
- Orthopedics
- Osteoarthritis, Spine
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Cancers
- Spinal Care
- Spinal Cord Compression
- Spinal Curvatures
- Spinal Diseases
- Spinal Fractures
- Spinal Fusion
- Spinal Injuries
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Sprains and Strains
Locations
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Credentials
Education
- Fellowship - Orthopedic Spine Surgery
- Stanford Hospital and Clinics, Stanford, CA, United States
8/1/2011 - 7/31/2012 - Residency - Orthopaedic Surgery
- Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
7/1/2006 - 7/1/2011 - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- St. Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, United States
11/1/2002 - 5/20/2006
Academics and research
As a spine surgeon, I treat patients afflicted with conditions affecting the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine utilizing minimally invasive spinal techniques, which is my area of interest. This includes degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, degenerative spondylolisthesis, spinal trauma/fractures, as well as degenerative scoliosis.
I have published several articles in peer reviewed orthopedic and spine journals. I am the author of several book chapters and have presented my research in both regional and national conferences. Some of my accolades include a Howard Hughes Research Grant awarded by Stanford University, election to Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Medical Society, recipient of Cum Laude MD degree, best resident paper (coauthored) awarded by the Minnesota Orthopedic Society, citation in Becker’s Spine Review as “Female Spine Surgeon Leaders to Know” in 2016, and citation ranking in the top 10 percent of patient satisfaction at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. I have also received several grants supporting my research.
I was recruited by the Spine Division at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in 2012.
I am Board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, and am a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. I am active in both regional and national organizations, to include the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society, Mid-American Orthopaedic Association, and the Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. I am a reviewer for numerous peer reviewed journals to include Spine, The Spine Journal, CORR, and Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
My treatment decisions are based on what is first and foremost in the best interest of my patients and what I can do to improve their quality of life. Each patient is different and with the comprehensive spine center at OSU dedicated to individualized care, this allows me to incorporate all facets of spine care for my patients. This includes exhausting all nonoperative treatment before entertaining surgery using minimally invasive spine techniques and if indicated, an open spine technique. A good day at work for me is making a positive difference in my patients’ lives.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with family and friends.
Research interests
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Herniated Discs
- Spinal Stenosis
- Degenerative Spondylolisthesis
- Spinal Trauma/Fractures
- Degenerative Scoliosis
Academic information
- Department:
- Orthopaedics
- Division:
- Orthopaedics
Leadership titles
- Fellowship Director, Orthopaedic Spine
- Director of the Orthopaedic Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Service
More about my research
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.
294 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. Yu has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.
- AO North America
Informative. Courteous. Was able to explain why surgery was not recommended, but did not address what could be done regarding symptoms or followup until I asked
Excellent
She was great and helped be above and beyond
Doctor you is my spine surgeon. I highly rate her and will refer her to others if needed. Very professional, very educated, and very courteous.
Very good experience
Dr.Yu is the best doctor and I wouldn't go anywhere else for my medical needs.
She very nice ,professional and friendly
Seemed if she could care less if I was there
Nice
We were happy regarding xray results after fusion back surgery but didn't originally explain how muscles would be separated to do the fusion and what each L vertebrae should effect such as thighs and genitals
Very good, efficient
All good
Listened well and gave good feedback
She was very informative and answered all my questions
She was excellent
She was very amazing, I love her a lot and she cares and talk to me about everything
Dr. You is very knowledgeable, trustworthy and explains everything in great detail. She is an excellent physician.
Listened to my needs
We are so happy that I was referred to Dr Yu for my care and future surgery on my back.She absolutely has my best outcome and care first! We have extreme confidence in her!
All good
I felt rushed and didn't feel like I was able to ask all of my questions. I also felt like she undermined some of my concerns.
Everything was excellent
Good experience. I trust Dr. Yu's clinical opinion.
Dr Yu is excellent. She treats me with respect, listens to my concerns, and explains things so I can understand
I really can't say enough about Dr Yu, who has been my back doc since at least 2017. She is a very very good doctor and knows her stuff. I believe she is a professional and a perfectionist that I am lucky to have.
Totally different from previous surgeons- Dr.Yu explained MRI details and how that relates to surgical intervention.
Really attentive
Dr. Yu is the best. Everything about the visit was positive.
She always listens and is truly concerned about my health
Took a lot of time to explain everything very courteous
Excellent care
Good
I think my provider does qualify work.
All good
Listened to my concerns and spent time to make sure I understood the plan for treatment.
Very good
Very friendly and understanding
First visit but good experience. Spoke in terms I understood. Provided follow up and wrote prescription for PT and testing .
I had a back fusion 7 years ago and Dr.Yu was fantastic!!
They isn't any bad. Everything went really well
Dr. Yu I wonderful. She checks to make sure my back was healed & I was able to move. She showed & explained the X-rays I had taken prior to my surgery. She also told me if I had any problems, I could call her.
Good
She and the resident who saw me first were both friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.
Very thorough and attentive
Dr. Yu is very kind, competent and professional who has guided my recovery from a major spinal suregery one year ago.
EXCELLENT AS ALWAYS!!!
Looking forward to Dr. Yu's care.
Good
Very good very good
She was AWSOME
Dr Yu has changed my life! She has fixed my excruciating pain and made it possible to enjoy my kids and grandkids, go to church and it's only 2 months after surgery. I am so excited to heal and get strong.
She was very professional and thorough
Excellent experience with my doctor YU
Extremely long wait time. Ocer an hour. I felt like she had a lot of canned answers to my questions and was rushing
She was very good and knowledgeable
It was a second opinion on possible spinal surgery. Dr Yu was phenomenal. She spent a lot of time and explained my X-rays, condition and possible treatments to resolve issue.
Good physician
Doctor Yu took a high level of interest in my medical situation. I am very grateful to her.
Dr Yu gave me options but gave me little or no guidance. All three had pros and cons, may or may not help. As a patient,it was very difficult to make a decision about which option was best. Dr Yu offered no recommendations or helped me think about how to decide. It was entirely in my hands.
She seemed quite familiar with my situation and did a thorough examination and ordered some tests.
Really liked Dr Yu. I had been a patient of another orthopedic doctor who did a fusion in my back approximately 2 years ago. Really impressed by his skill and bedside manner. I liked him very much but he left recently. I was concerned whether or not I would get another skilled and personable doctor this time. Well, I did. I have great confidence in her treatment plan.
Dr Yu really listened to me and my problems
Very professional
I absolutely love Dr. Yu. She has done all 3 of my spine surgeries. I have the utmost respect and confidence in her and her capabilities. She is the absolute best and I would recommend her to anyone.
Routine follow-up from back surgery.
Great at what she does
I'm very confident I'm getting quality care from Dr Yu.
Dr Yu is absolutely fantastic
Care was good. Wait time was unacceptable.
Dr Yu listens to me when I have concerns
Excellent care
Love Dr Yu. Asked how I was doing answered all my questions
Dr. Yu was very thorough and I'm very pleased with my surgery and after care.
Very intelligent, explained everything in great detail. Was very caring and kept up with all tests results and follow ups. Excellent
She didn't listen to my concerns. Wanted to refer me to 2 different people. I felt very rushed
Good
Dr. Yu was always polite & got right to the point. She was happy that, 2 months after the major back surgery, I was walking without a walker or cane.
Dr. Yu is always pleasant and knowledgeable - the best surgeon and physician I could have for my spine issues!
Good
Finally got a description of what was done to my neck surgery now I have closure thank you
Not sure what to say? Did inspect records. Asked a few questions about health concerns. Did a small check on my balance but never thought about I am on pain killers that help during the later part of the day?
Very nice and seemed to really listen to me.
She's always super helpful and nice
Both Dr Yu and Ms Belu were very attentive.
Dr. Listened to me and was helpful
Dr, Yu while seeming very knowledgeable seemed rather rushed, and unwilling to even discuss the possibilities of what might be in my future until further studies were done. I understand, as I am a physician myself that she could not give absolutely absolutes, but not being willing to discuss any thoughts or possibilities to me was disconcerting. It's understandable that she was rushed because I did not get to see her until 4:20 PM approximately when my appointment was at 2:30. So running that far behind I'm sure added to the problems. But nonetheless as someone who is in a lot of pain every minute with this current issue and knowing that I can't get any information from her for at least three more weeks was very disappointing.
She also was very courteous, clear with her explaining of the back pain I may be having, and very efficient
Interested in my problem
Friendly
Dr Yu was very good as always. Always asking if I understand or have questions. Very pleased with her care
Dr Yu has demonstrated kindness and concern towards me and has listened to my personal situation and has made special arrangements to accommodate me.
She told me about my surgery and answered my questions and what I needed to do to get ready for it.
She listened to my concerns about a recent fall and was reassuring and her surgical care was very good.
Everyone in Dr Yu's office are professional, caring. It is one of the best teams I have ever experienced. I'm very fortunate to be a patient.
All good
She said she was running behind because she was finishing up a surgery. She sent some of her assistants to begin the fact finding about my problems to start the exam process. She is very business like and has an excellent reputation. She had all the information about all my tests and explained what everything meant. She ordered more MRI's for this week because she wanted to see my whole spine before we decided what route to take in surgery. She is very conservative and I like that. If you don't need a big surgery, she tells you. You work with her to determine the plan for making the patient whole again.
Very good
Very pleased