About
Dr. Asdourian, Chief of Orthopaedic Spinal Surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, is a spine surgeon trained in reconstructive spinal surgery. His expertise is in the treatment of adult spinal deformity, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative disc disease. For more than 27 years, Dr. Asdourian has utilized state-of-the-art techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of failed cervical and lumbar decompressions and fusions. Dr. Asdourian was a key investigator in cervical artificial disc replacements. He is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society.
Awards
Dr. Asdourian has repeatedly been named a Baltimore Magazine “Top Doc” for orthopaedic spinal surgery, most recently in 2017.
Interests
His special interests include the treatment of adult spinal deformity, spinal tumors and infections, spondylolisthesis, cervical and lumbar herniated discs, cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis. He uses state-of-the-art technologies to treat these spinal disorders.
Credentials
Board Certification
- Spine Surgery (Primary)
- Orthopaedic Surgery; certified in 1989
Education
- Fellowship Program Rush Presbyterian - St. Luke's Medical Center - IL (1987)
- Residency Program Boston University Medical Center (1986)
- Medical School SUNY Upstate Medical Center at Syracuse (1981)
- Internship Program Lenox Hill Hospital (1982)
Conditions Treated
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Spinal Infection (Vertebral Osteomyelitis)
Spine Infections are also referred to as Vertebral Osteomyelitis and are fairly rare as cause of back pain in young healthy people. The elderly and immunocompromised are at risk for this type of spinal condition.
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Pinched Nerve
The nerves running along the thoracic and lumbar areas of your spine may become irritated due to disc material bulging out from between the vertebrae. The associated pain may or may not radiate out to other parts of the body.
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Kyphosis
Kyphosis causes your spine to curve so much that your body is hunched and rounded. Postural kyphosis results from bad posture and slouching and is often less severe. Other types of kyphosis can cause deformities to individual vertebrae and more…
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Back Fracture (break)
The spinal vertebrae are spongier and less dense than the other bones in your body in order to accommodate movements like bending and twisting. This also means they are more vulnerable to fracture. A spinal fracture in the thoracic or…
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Spinal Tumor
Tumors that grow on or near the bones of the spine or around the spinal cord can disrupt the line of communication between the spinal cord and the brain. Spinal tumors can originate in the spine, or spread to the…
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Scoliosis
Idiopathic Scoliosis- A sideways curvature of the thoracic and or lumbar spine. Typically in an “S” shape. Adult Scoliosis- This condition can occur when scoliosis in adolescence is untreated or not properly treated it can continue into adulthood causing back…
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Spondylolisthesis (stress fracture causing vertebrae to slip out of position)
Lumbar Spondylolisthesis In spondylolisthesis, one of the vertebra in the spine slips forward and out of place. This may occur anywhere along the spine, but is most common in the lower back. In some people, this causes no symptoms at…
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Back Pain
At MedStar Union Memorial Orthopaedics, our goal is to relieve your back pain and restore your ability to enjoy your favorite activities. One of the best ways to ensure you get an accurate and complete diagnosis is to describe your…
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Herniated Disc (Back)
Lumbar Herniated Disc Many patients with back pain, leg pain, or weakness of the lower extremity muscles are diagnosed with a herniated disc. When a disc herniation occurs, the cushion that sits between the spinal vertebrae is pushed outside its…
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Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis A common cause of lower back and leg pain is lumbar spinal stenosis. As we age, our spines change. The normal effects of aging can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal. This condition is called spinal…
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Neck Fracture (break)
The spinal vertebrae are spongier and less dense than the other bones in your body in order to accommodate movements like bending and twisting. This also means they are more vulnerable to fracture. A spinal fracture occurs when one of…
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Cervical Stenosis
Cervical stenosis is a common cause of neck pain, especially in older patients. It is caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck area or upper part of the spine. This narrowing places pressure on the spinal…
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Herniated Disc (Neck)
Between the spinal bones (vertebrae) in your neck are pads of cartilage called discs. Natural use or strain can cause a disc to rupture (leak) or slip out of place (herniate). When a disc weakens, parts of it can shift…
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Sciatica
Sciatica occurs when a herniated disk puts pressure on or damages the sciatic nerve, which supports the muscles and controls sensation in the leg and foot. Those with sciatica often feel leg cramping, burning, weakness, numbness, and tingling as well…
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Locations
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital Spine Center
Videos
Patient Story: Spine Surgery
2015 Spine Webcast
Insurance
Insurance Plans Accepted-
AETNA
13
- AETNA — Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund) Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
- AETNA — Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS) Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
- AETNA — Aetna HMO Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network Aetna Innovations: HMO & EPO Plus
- AETNA — Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA Innovation Health: POS Open HMO Opoen HMO Option Open EPO Plus
- AETNA — Aetna Managed Choice (POS) Innovation Health: POS Plus
- AETNA — Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS) Choice POS & Choice POS II Innovation Health: Open POS Plus Open POS II
- AETNA — Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- AETNA — Aetna Open Choice (PPO) Innovation Health: PPO
- AETNA — Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- AETNA — Aetna Student Health Insurance
- AETNA — Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO) Innovation Health: Indemnity
- AETNA — Aetna USAccess (POS)
- AETNA — Aetna Worker’s Compensation Network
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CAREFIRST
8
- CAREFIRST — CFBCBS (NCA) Indemnity
- CAREFIRST — CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access BlueChoice Open Access Blue Choice Advantage & Healthy Blue (HMO POS)
- CAREFIRST — CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CAREFIRST — CFBCBS BlueChoice HMO
- CAREFIRST — CFBCBS Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- CAREFIRST — CFBCBS Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CAREFIRST — CFBCBS Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
- CAREFIRST — CFBSBC Blue Preferred PPO HealthyBlue PPO
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CIGNA
6
- CIGNA HEALTH CARE — CIGNA EPO PPO and PPO Plus Choice Fund PPO
- CIGNA HEALTH CARE — CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- CIGNA HEALTH CARE — CIGNA HMO Open Access (OA) Network OA POS OA & OA Plus
- CIGNA HEALTH CARE — CIGNA Indemnity
- CIGNA HEALTH CARE — CIGNA POS/Network POS
- CIGNA HEALTH CARE — Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
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COVENTRY HEALTH NETWORK
4
- COVENTRY HEALTH NETWORK — Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- COVENTRY HEALTH NETWORK — Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- COVENTRY HEALTH NETWORK — Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- COVENTRY HEALTH NETWORK — First Health PPO
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FIRST HEALTH
1
- FIRST HEALTH (NOW COVENTRY) — FIRST HEALTH
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MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE
2
- MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE — MedStar Family Choice – Maryland Health Choice
- MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE — MedStar Family Choice-DC Healthy Families
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MEDSTAR MEDICARE CHOICE
1
- MEDSTAR MEDICARE CHOICE — MedStar Medicare Choice
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MEDSTAR SELECT
1
- MEDSTAR SELECT — MedStar Select
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TRICARE
4
- TRICARE — Tricare Extra (Indemnity)
- TRICARE — Tricare Prime
- TRICARE — Tricare Standard
- TRICARE — Tricare for Life (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
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PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS INC.
1
- PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS INC. (PHCS) — Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
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UNITED HEALTHCARE
12
- UNITED HEALTHCARE — M.D. IPA (HMO)
- UNITED HEALTHCARE — M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- UNITED HEALTHCARE — Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- UNITED HEALTHCARE — OneNet PPO Inc.
- UNITED HEALTHCARE — Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
- UNITED HEALTHCARE — Optimum Choice United Healthcare Navigate United Healthcare Compass (HMO)
- UNITED HEALTHCARE — United Healthcare Choice Plus
- UNITED HEALTHCARE — United Healthcare Choice United Healthcare Core Essential (HMO)
- UNITED HEALTHCARE — United Healthcare Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO GEHA Compass Rose)
- UNITED HEALTHCARE — United Healthcare Select HMO – EPO/NPP
- UNITED HEALTHCARE — United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- UNITED HEALTHCARE — United Student Resources