Todd Blumberg, MD

Todd Blumberg, MD

Orthopedics, Cerebral Palsy Program, Fracture Program, Child and Young Adult Hip Preservation Program

On staff since September 2017

Children's Title: Attending Surgeon

Academic Title: Associate Professor

Research Center: Center for Clinical and Translational Research

"During my orthopedic training, I was captivated by the work we do treating kids with musculoskeletal conditions. Pediatric orthopedics is an area of medicine with unique challenges, but also one of the most fascinating specialties when it comes to techniques for treating congenital and developmental musculoskeletal differences. "

  • Biography

    Dr. Todd Blumberg was born and raised in Texas before attending Rice University for college. He graduated from medical school at Baylor College of Medicine in 2011, and completed his orthopedic surgery training at the University of Washington. He completed pediatric orthopedic fellowship training at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, with additional fellowship training in hip preservation surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Blumberg sees patients at Seattle Children’s Hospital and is an Assistant Professor in Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine at the University of Washington.  As a member of the University of Washington faculty, he is committed to training medical students, residents, and fellows in the latest techniques and treatments strategies for pediatric and young adult hip conditions.

    Dr. Blumberg leads the Child and Young Adult Hip program at Seattle Children’s and cares for infants, children, and young adults with all types of hip conditions, including hip dysplasia (DDH), labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), Perthes disease, and Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE). In addition, Dr. Blumberg’s clinical area of expertise includes scoliosis, pediatric orthopedic trauma, and treatment of musculoskeletal infections.

    Dr. Blumberg offers second opinions for hip conditions for patients from around the Pacific Northwest. If your family has been told they need surgery and you would like an expert second opinion, his team can arrange for additional evaluation.

    Dr. Blumberg’s research interests include optimization of imaging after treatment for hip dysplasia, improving access for advanced imaging in suspected osteomyelitis, and reducing health equity disparities. 

    In his time outside the hospital, he enjoys spending time with his wife and son, photography, hiking, cooking, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.

     

  • Patient Testimonials

    • Lyubov Kent WA 08.13.21

      Dr Blumberg did PAO for my daughters hip We are very happy with his work and his team Dr Blumberg is great listener takes his time to explain answers questions he is just wonderful can't find enough words We were treated like a royals every one was wonderful

    • Julie Redmond 03.19.21

      Our 14 yr old daughter had a huge growth spurt during the pandemic. She was at a 73 degrees curvature in 4 months. Dr. Blumberg was really great with our daughter. He was very patient and answered any and all the questions we had. My daughter felt very comfortable with him and his team. She was not nervous regarding the surgery at all. Highly recommend him.

  • Publications

    Manuscripts in Refereed Journals

    • Adler, A., Shah, A., Blumberg, T.J., Fazal, F., Chandrakantan A, Ellingsen, K, and Lin, E
      Symptomatology and racial disparities amongst children undergoing universal preoperative COVID-19 screening at three US children’s hospitals: Early pandemic through resurgence
      Pediatric Anesthesia, 2020 Nov 13
    • Blumberg, T.J, Adler, A., Lin, E., Fazal, F., Talwar, D., Ellingsen, K., Chandrakantan A, Chen J, and Shah, A
      Universal Screening for COVID-19 in Children Undergoing Orthopaedic Surgery: A Multicenter Report
      Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2020 Nov 1 : 40(10)e990-e993
    • Lin, E., Blumberg, T.J., Adler, A., Fazal, F., Talwar, D., Ellingsen, K., and Shah, A.
      Incidence of COVID-19 in Pediatric Surgical Patients Among 3 US Children's Hospitals
      JAMA Surgery, 2020 Jun 4
    • Koehler RJ, Shore BJ, Hedequest D, Heyworth BE, May C, Miller PE, Rademacher ES, Sanborn RM, Murphy JS, Roseman A, Stoneback JW, Trizno AA, Goldstein RY, Harris L, Nielsen E, Talwar D, Denning JR, Saaed N, Kutz B, Laine JC, Naas M, Truong WH, Rotando M, Spence DD, Brighton BK, Churchill C, Janicki JA, King K, Wild J, Beebe AC, Crouse S, Rough T, Rowan M, Singh S, Davis-Juarez A, Gould A, Hughes O, Rickert KD, Upasani VV, Blumberg T.J., Bompadre V, Lindberg AW, Miller ML, Hill JF, Peoples H, Rosenfeld SB, Turner R, Copley LA, Lindsay EA, Ramo BA, Tareen N, Winberly RL, Li GY, Sessel J, Johnson ME, Johnson S, Moore-Lotridge SN, Shelton J, Baldwin KD, Schoenecker JG; Children’s Orthopaedic Trauma and Infection Consortium for Evidence Based Study (CORTICES) Group
      Defining the Volume of Consultations for Musculoskeletal Infection encountered by Pediatric Orthopaedic Services in the United States
      PLoS One, 2020 Jun 4 : 16(6)e0234055
    • Magnusson, E., Weltsch, D., Baldwin, K., Blumberg, T.J
      Open reduction of closed pediatric tibia fractures treated with intramedullary stabilization does not increase risk of post-operative complications
      Journal of Orthopedic Trauma, 2020 Mar 1
    • Bram JT, Baldwin KD, Blumberg TJ
      Gram Stain is Not Clinically Relevant in Treatment of Pediatric Septic Arthritis.
      30036290 Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2018 Oct. : 38(9)e536-e540
    • Blumberg TJ, DeFrancesco CJ, Miller DJ, Pandya NK, Flynn JM, Baldwin KD
      Firearm-associated Fractures in Children and Adolescents: Trends in the United States 2003-2012.
      29727408 Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2018 Aug. : 38(7)e387-e392
    • Schmitz MR, Blumberg TJ, Nelson SE, Sees JP, Sankar WN
      What's New in Pediatric Hip?
      29554020 Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2018 July : 38(6)e300-e304
    • Jackson TJ, Blumberg TJ, Shah AS, Sankar WN
      Inappropriately Timed Pediatric Orthopaedic Referrals From the Emergency Department Result in Unnecessary Appointments and Financial Burden for Patients.
      29324529 Journal of pediatric orthopedics, 2018 March : 38(3)e128-e132
    • Blumberg TJ, Woelber E, Bellabarba C, Bransford R, Spina N
      Predictors of increased cost and length of stay in the treatment of postoperative spine surgical site infection.
      28739477 The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society, 2018 Feb. : 18(2)300-306
    • Blumberg, T.J., Bremjit P., Bompadre V., Steinman S.E
      Forearm fixation is not necessary in the treatment of pediatric floating elbow
      Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, 2018 Feb 1 : 38(2)82-87
    • Cahill PJ, Samdani AF, Brusalis CM, Blumberg T, Asghar J, Bastrom TP, Pasha S, Refakis CA, Pahys JM, Flynn JM, Harms Study Group., Sponseller PD
      Youth and Experience: The Effect of Surgeon Experience on Outcomes in Cerebral Palsy Scoliosis Surgery.
      29287818 Spine deformity, 2018 Jan. : 6(1)54-59
    • DeFrancesco CJ, Blumberg TJ, Chauvin NA, Sankar WN
      An improved method for measuring hip abduction in spica after surgical reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip.
      28904633 Journal of children's orthopaedics, 2017 Aug 1 : 11(4)277-283 PMCID:PMC5584496
    • Nelson S.E., Blumberg T.J., Gambone A.J., Miller D.J., Cahill P.J
      Growth Modulation for Idiopathic Scoliosis with an Anterior Tether – Operative Technique
      University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Journal, 2017 Jun 1 : 2783-84
    • Blumberg T.J., Nelson S.E., Miller D.J., Gambone A.J., Monteleone J., Cahill PJ.
      Mehta Casting for Early Onset Scoliosis – Operative Technique
      University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Journal, 2017 Jun 1 : 2768-69
    • Gambone A.J., Akoto A, Blumberg T.J., Nelson S.E., Miller D.J., Wells L
      Arthroscopic Assisted Reduction of a Salter-Harris Type III Fracture of the Distal Femur with Concomitant Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Case Report
      University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Journal, 2017 Jun 1 : 2765-67
    • Miller D.M., Nelson S.E., Blumberg T.J., Gambone A.J., Monteleone J
      Single Leg Spica Casting for Low Energy Pediatric Femur Fractures – Operative Technique
      University of Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Journal, 2017 Jun 1 : 2751-53
    • Thomas JG, Hwang SW, Blumberg TJ, Whitehead WE, Curry DJ, Luerssen TG, Jea A
      Correlation between shunt series and scoliosis radiographs in children with myelomeningoceles.
      22978435 Journal of neurosurgery. Spine, 2012 Nov. : 17(5)410-4
    • Hwang SW, Thomas JG, Blumberg TJ, Whitehead WE, Curry DJ, Dauser RC, Luerssen TG, Jea A
      Kyphectomy in patients with myelomeningocele treated with pedicle screw-only constructs: case reports and review.
      21721891 Journal of neurosurgery. Pediatrics, 2011 July : 8(1)63-70
    • Blumberg TJ, Natoli RM, Athanasiou KA
      Effects of doxycycline on articular cartilage GAG release and mechanical properties following impact.
      18183627 Biotechnology and bioengineering, 2008 Jun 15 : 100(3)506-15
    • Hayman DM, Blumberg TJ, Scott CC, Athanasiou KA
      The effects of isolation on chondrocyte gene expression.
      16995790 Tissue engineering, 2006 Sept. : 12(9)2573-81

    Book Chapters

    • Miller, D., Blumberg, T.J., Nelson, S., Trobisch, P., and Cahill, P
      Adolescent Scoliosis
      Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery – Surgical Techniques and Disease Management,
    • Blumberg, T.J., Hilmara, D., and Cahill, P.
      Congenital Scoliosis and Kyphosis
      Bridwell and DeWald’s Textbook of Spinal Surgery, 4th Edition
    • Baldwin, K. and Blumberg, T.J
      Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Pediatric T-Condylar Fractures
      Operative Techniques in Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, 3rd Edition
    • Gendelberg, D., and Blumberg, T.J
      Case of a Young Child Who Refuses to Bear Weight and Has Back Pain Due to Leukemia
      Schwend & Hennrikus Back Pain in the Young Child and Adolescent – A Case-Based Guide
  • Presentations

    Presentation Title Event Location Date
    "Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip in Adolescent and Young Adult” University of Washington, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Grand Rounds Seattle, WA Sep 2, 2020
    "Open reduction of closed pediatric tibia fractures treated with intramedullary stabilization does not increase risk of post-operative complications" AAP Annual Meeting New Orleans, LA Oct. 2019
    “Open reduction of closed pediatric tibia fractures treated with intramedullary stabilization does not increase risk of post-operative complications”. POSNA Annual Meeting 2019 Charlotte NC 2019
    “Gram Stain is Not Clinically Relevant in Management of Pediatric Septic Arthritis” American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting. Las Vegas, NV 2019
    “Future Directions in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis” Seattle Science Foundation Spine Conference at Swedish Hospital Seattle, WA Dec 5, 2018
    “Post-Operative Orthopaedics: What every PACU nurse needs to know” Children’s Operating Room Grand Rounds: Seattle Children’s Hospital Seattle, WA Jun 13, 2018
    “Spending to Save: Implementation of a Limited MRI Protocol in the Diagnosis of Musculoskeletal Infection.” Seattle Children’s 9th Annual Visiting Professor: Dr. John (Jack) Flynn. Seattle Children’s Hospital Seattle, WA Jun 1, 2018
    “SCFE 101: Don’t Let One Slip by You” L.T. Staheli Lecture Series: Seattle Children’s Hospital Seattle, WA May 19, 2018
    "Gram Stain is Not Clinically Relevant in Management of Pediatric Septic Arthritis” Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America Annual Meeting. Austin, TX 2018
    “Pre-operative Halo-Gravity Traction: Can it Replace a Vertebral Column Resection?” Scoliosis Research Society Meeting Philadelphia, PA. 2017
    “Who Gets Staged Surgery in Severe Pediatric Spinal Deformity?” Scoliosis Research Society Meeting Philadelphia, PA. 2017
    “Age at reduction a significant risk factor for pelvic osteotomy in developmental hip dysplasia” POSNA Annual Meeting Indianapolis, IN 2016
    Age at reduction a significant risk factor for pelvic osteotomy in developmental hip dysplasia Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America Indianapolis, IN April 2016
    “Management of the Multiligamentous Knee Injury” University of Washington, Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Grand Rounds Seattle, WA May 6, 2015
    “Correlation between Shunt Series and Scoliosis radiographs: can shunt series radiographs be used to reliably screen for scoliosis?” International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques. Copenhagen, Denmark 2011
    “Does a Longer Wait for Surgery Affect Patient Satisfaction After Total Hip Arthroplasty?” American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting San Diego, CA 2011
    “Molecular Agents for Ameliorating Impact-Induced Cartilage Injury” Rice University Institute of Biosciences and Bioengineering Symposium Houston, TX July 2006
    “Molecular Agents for Ameliorating Impact-Induced Cartilage Injury.” Days of Molecular Medicine – Inflammatory Pathways in Disease Conference Stockholm, Sweden May 1, 2006
    “Acute effects of impact on chondrocyte viability.” Rice University Undergraduate Research Symposium. Houston, TX 2005
    “Effects of Doxycycline on impact-induced articular cartilage injury” Rice University Undergraduate Research Symposium Houston, TX
    “Abbreviated Non-contrast Imaging Protocol Decreases Costs and Improves Value in Treatment of Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infection” POSNA Annual Meeting Virtual
    "Can Age be Used to Decide Nail Type in Operatively Treated Tibia Fractures in Pediatrics" AAP Annual Meeting New Orleans, LA

Overview

Board Certification(s)

Orthopaedic Surgery

Medical/Professional School

Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX

Residency

Harborview Medical Center/University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Fellowship

Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA

Clinical Interests

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), hip labral tears and osteochondral injuries, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), Perthes disease, avascular necrosis of the hip, slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), neuromuscular hip conditions, scoliosis, leg length discrepancy, orthopedic trauma, fractures, osteomyelitis and septic arthritis.

Research Description

I was drawn towards hip preservation, a relatively new field within orthopedics that focuses on techniques and strategies to improve the mechanics and function of the hip joint. It is incredibly rewarding to work with a patient and their family to identify a hip problem and restore normal structure and mechanics to prevent the development of painful arthritis. While high-level athletes can develop hip problems, sometimes even everyday activities such as walking and sitting at a desk can cause pain with common hip conditions in adolescents and young adults. When the hip becomes painful or activities become more limited from to discomfort due to a condition that can lead early onset arthritis, hip preservation techniques allow us to preserve a patient’s own native hip. These treatments can often delay or even avoid hip replacement for many patients with specialized surgical techniques that restore and improve the structure and function of the hip joint.
 
In my practice, I work with patients from infancy through young adulthood treating all hip conditions. I see infants and young children with concerns for developmental hip dysplasia, as well as adolescent and young adults with hip pain or gait abnormalities. It is not uncommon to see some patients that were treated ten, sometimes twenty years ago and have done well for a number of years, but are now starting to have problems as they enter adulthood. Some of these challenging conditions, including sequelae of Perthes disease, residual hip dysplasia after treatment as a young child, or post-traumatic deformities after slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) result in the hip beginning to wear out and cause pain at a very young age. Being able to reconstruct and preserve the hip joint improves the quality of life for my patients and is the reason I come to work each day.