About Me
As a spine surgeon, I take care of patients with conditions affecting the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine including degenerative conditions as well as adult and pediatric advanced deformity, which is my area of interest.
My patient care philosophy is to treat each patient as I would treat a member of my own family. In circumstances where surgery is needed, it’s already a very difficult and tense time for people. I pride myself in treating each patient as an individual. What might work for one patient might not work for everyone, so part of my job is to develop a treatment plan that’s specific to each person’s condition. That might include non-operative care or possibly surgery.
I believe that by combining the tenants of research, teaching and education to provide excellent patient care, I’m living Ohio State’s mission to provide personalized medicine for everyone.
I grew up in Pakistan and came to this country in 1998. Since then, I’ve been involved in medical research, teaching and education. My wife is a clinical psychologist from California and we have four boys. In my free time, I love to cook and I fancy myself an amateur chef. Back in the day I used to play bass guitar in a band. Hopefully there are no pictures available!
Highlights
- Benjamin R. and Helen Slack Wiltberger Endowed Chair in Orthopaedic Spine Surgery
- Chief of the Division of Spine in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Rated in top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2016
- Completed over four years of benchtop research at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York
- Published more than 150 peer-reviewed papers, more than 30 book chapters and presented his work nationally and internationally
- Sits on numerous national committees advancing spine surgery research
Procedures and Conditions I Treat
- Spondylarthritis
- Osteoarthritis, Spine
- Fracture Fixation
- Sprains and Strains
- Intervertebral Disc
- Ankylosis
- Arthrodesis
- Diskectomy
- Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
- Spinal Stenosis
- Lumbar Vertebrae
- Spinal Cord Compression
- Intervertebral Disc Displacement
- Kyphosis
- Orthopedics
- Spinal Fractures
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spinal Curvatures
- Spinal Diseases
- Spinal Fusion
- Spinal Injuries
- Fractures, Bone
- Back Pain
- Spinal Cancers
- Scoliosis
Locations Where I Practice
300 West 10th Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210
543 Taylor Avenue
Columbus, OH 43203
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location. Please call the “Schedule an appointment” number shown above for scheduling assistance.
Education and Training
Education History
UC Davis Medical Center
6/25/2005
UC Davis Medical Center
6/30/2010
MD
Aga Khan University Medical School
10/31/1998
Rush Medical Center
7/31/2011
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
6/30/2004
Academic Information
Board Certification
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
7/25/2013
My Department
Orthopaedics
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.
287 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
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Overall
4.7 out of 5
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Explains Things Clearly
4.7 out of 5
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Listens Carefully
4.7 out of 5
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Gives Understandable Instructions
4.7 out of 5
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Knows My Medical History
4.5 out of 5
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Shows Respect
4.8 out of 5
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Time Spent Together
4.5 out of 5
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 11/21/2019, Dr. Khan 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.
- Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- Prosydian
- Stryker Corporation
- DePuy Synthes
- Spinal Elements
Dr. Safdar Khan is a "miracle worker" as far as I am concerned! His level of expertise is amazing! He has such a warm, caring personality that you know that he will do all that he possibly can to help remedy your problems. He doesn't "beat around the bush". He tells you the facts about your problem and helps you to understand what he can do do help solve your problems to the best of his ability. I very much respect his professionalism, knowledge and skill as a physician and surgeon!
Dr. Khan arrived promptly and we discussed options I had available to treat my spinal stenosis. Before arriving I had convinced myself that surgery would be my only option'
It was good experience.
Explained everything detail.
The doctor has a very good bedside manner. He is patient and answers all of my questions. He is attentive.
Dr. Khan & nurse very helpful & efficient.
The provider was one of the best doctors I've ever had.
Very good.
Doctor Kahn is an exceptional physician who has guided me through a long recovery after his surgery.....and a really nice person!
Dr. Khan is extremely kind - he could see I was in pain and upset. I feel he is the best doctor to help me in my journey to wellness!