Munish Gupta

Munish Gupta, MD, MBA

Mildred B. Simon Distinguished Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

Professor of Neurological Surgery

Division of Spine Surgery

Co-director of Pediatric and Adult Spinal Deformity Service

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(314) 514-3500

Dr. Gupta specializes in adult and pediatric spine surgery, with a focus on complex spinal reconstructive surgery for treatment of all spinal deformities of the lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions. He has over 30 years of experience in treating spinal deformities such as scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis and Flatback syndrome. Dr. Gupta also specializes in spinal revision surgery and spinal tumors.

Common Diagnoses Treated

  • Adult spinal deformity
  • Congenital scoliosis
  • Degenerative scoliosis
  • Early onset scoliosis
  • Flatback
  • Idiopathic scoliosis
  • Pediatric spinal deformity
  • Scheuermann's Kyphosis

Common Procedures

  • Anterior release of various rigid deformities aiding in obtaining correction of the spinal deformity.
  • Posterior spinal correction of various deformities with instrumentation and fusion

Clinical Office Locations

  • Center for Advanced Medicine (CAM)

    4921 Parkview Place

    St. Louis, MO 63110

  • St. Louis Children's Hospital

    One Children's Place

    St Louis, MO 63110

  • Shriners Hospital for Children

    4400 Clayton Ave.

    St Louis, MO 63110

Hospital Affiliations

  • Barnes-Jewish Hospital
  • St. Louis Children's Hospital
  • Shriners Hospital for Children

Academic Office Mailing Address

  • Washington University School of Medicine

    Campus Box 8233

    660 Euclid Avenue

    Saint Louis, MO 63110

Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts

Dr. Gupta is the author of over 180 peer-reviewed manuscripts. View his complete list of publications here.

  • Khalife M, Lafage R, Daniels AH, Diebo BG, Elysee J, Ames CP, Bess SR, Burton DC, Eastlack RK,Gupta MC, Hostin RA, Kebaish K, Kim HJ, Klineberg EO, Mundis Jr G, Okonkwo DO, Guigui P, Ferrero E, Skalli W, Assi A, Vergari C, Shaffrey CI, Smith JS, Schwab FJ, Lafage V; International Spine Study Group. Assessing abnormal proximal junctional angles in adult spinal deformity: A normative data approach to define proximal junctional kyphosis (the “Work”).Spine 2025 Jan 15;50(2):103-109. Epub 2024 Oct 1. PMID: 39351850
  • Mullin JP, Quiceno E, Soliman AR, Daniels AH, Smith JS, Kelly MP, Ames CP, Bess S, Burton D, Diebo B, Eastlack RK, Hostin R, Kebaish K, Kim HJ, Klineberg E, Lafage V, Lenke LG, Lewis SJ, Mundis G, Passias PG, Protopsaltis TS, Schwab FJ, Gum JL, Buell TJ, Shaffrey CI,Gupta MC. Comparison of Clinical and Radiological Outcomes of Three-Column Lumbar Osteotomies with and without Interbody Cages for Adult Spinal Deformity. Spine J 2025 Jan 10:S1529-9430(25)00019. Epub ahead of print PMID: 39800321
  • Smith JS, Ben-Israel D, Kelly MP, Lafage V, Lafage R, Klineberg EO, Kim HJ, Line BG, Protopsaltis TS, Passias PG, Eastlack RK, Mundis GM, Riew KD, Kebaish KM, Park P,Gupta MC, Gum JL, Daniels AH, Diebo BG, Scheer JK, Hostin R, Soroceanu A, Hamilton KD, Buell TJ, Lewis SJ, Lenke LG, Mullin J, Schwab FJ, Burton DC, Shaffrey CI, Ames CP, Bess S; International Spine Study Group.The gap between surgeon goaland achieved sagittal alignment in adult cervical spinal deformity(CSD) surgery. J Neurosurg: Spine 2025 Jan 3:1-11 PMID: 397526602025   
  • Singh M, Balmaceno-Criss M, Daher M, L afage R, Eastlack RK,Gupta MC, Mundis GM, Gum JL, Hamilton KD, Hostin R, Passias PG, Protopsaltis TS, Kebaish KM, Lenke LG, Ames CP, Burton DC, Lewis SM, Klineberg EO, Kim HJ, Schwab FJ, Shaffrey CI, Smith JS, Line BG, Bess S, Lafage V, Diebo BG, Daniels AH; ISSG. Impact of prior cervical fusion in patients undergoing thoracolumbar deformity correction.Spine 2025 Jan 1;50(1):26-33 Epub 2024 Aug 15 PMID: 391462012024   
  • Daher M, Xu A, Singh M, Lafage R, Line BG, Lenke LG, Ames CP, Burton DC, Lewis SM, Eastlack RK,Gupta MC, Mundis GM, Gum JL, Hamilton KD, Hostin R, Lafage V, Passias PG, Protopsaltis TS, Kebaish KM, Schwab FJ, Shaffrey CI, Smith JS, Bess S, Klineberg EO, Diebo BG, Daniels AH; International Spine Study Group. Daniels A, Gupta MC, Redefining Clinically Significant Blood Loss in Complex Adult Spine Deformity Surgery" has been successfully submitted to the Journal of Neurosurgery:Spine2024 Dec 25. PMID: 39722533.   
  • Passias PG, Dave P, Smith JS, Lafage R, Onafowokan OO, Tretiakov P, Mir J, Line B, Diebo B, Daniels AH, Gum JL, Eastlack R, Hamilton DK, Chou D, Klineberg EO, Kebaish KM, Lewis S,Gupta MC, Kim HJ, Lenke LG, Ames CP, Shaffrey CI, Schwab FJ, Lafage V, Bess S, Hostin R, Burton DC. Cause and effect of revision in adult spinal deformity surgery: A multicenter study on outcomes based on etiology.The Spine J. 2024 Dec 18:S1529-9430(24)01226-9. PMID: 397063452024   
  • Onafowokan O, Lafage R, Tretiakov P, Smith JS, Line BG, Diebo BG, Daniels AH, Gum JL, Protopsaltis TS, Hamilton DK, Buell T, Soroceanu A, Scheer J, Eastlack RK, Mullin JP, Mundis G, Hosogane N, Yagi M, Anand N, Okonkwo DO, Wang MY, Klineberg EO, Kebaish KM, Lewis S, Hostin R, Gupta MC, Lenke LG, Kim HJ, Ames CP, Shaffrey CI, Bess S, Schwab FJ, Lafage V, Burton D, Passias PG; International Spine Study Group.Comparative analysis of outcomes in adult spinal deformity patients with proximal junctional kyphosis or failure initially fused to upper versus lower thoracic spine. J Clin MedVol 13(24). Free article
  • Hills J, Mundis GM, Klineberg EO, Smith JS, Line B, Gum JL, Protopsaltis TS, Hamilton DK, Soroceanu A, Eastlack R, Nunley P, Kebaish KM, Lenke LG, Hostin RA,Gupta MC, Kim HJ, Ames CP, Burton DC, Shaffrey CI, Schwab FJ, Lafage V, Lafage R, Bess S, Kelly MP. The T4-L1-Hip axis: Sagittal spinal realignment targets in long-construct adult spinal deformity.J Bone Joint Surg Am2024 Dec 4;(106(23):e48 Epub 2024 Sep 18. PMID:392927672024   
  • Kim AH, Mo KC, Harris AB, Lafage R, Neuman BJ, Hostin RA, Soroceanu A, Kim HJ, Klineberg EO, Gum JL,Gupta MC, Hamilton DK, Schwab F, Burton D, Daniels A, Passias PG, Hart RA, Line BG, Ames C, Lafage V, Shaffrey CI, Smith JS, Bess S, Lenke L, Kebaish KM; International Spine Study Group. High-dose TXA is associated with less blood loss than low-dose TXA without increased complications in patients with complex adult spinal deformity.J Bone Joint Surg AmDec 4;106(23):2205-2214 Epub 2024 Oct 3. PMID:393617712024   
  • Diebo BG, Singh M, Balmaceno-Criss M, Daher M, Lenke LG, Ames CP, Burton DC, Lewis SM, Klineberg EO, Lafage R, Eastlack RK,Gupta MC, Mundis GM, Gum JL, Hamilton KD, Hostin R, Passias PG, Protopsaltis TS, Kebaish KM, Kim HJ, Shaffrey CI, Line BG, Mummaneni PV, Nunley PD, Smith JS, Turner J, Schwab FJ, Uribe JS, Bess S, Lafage V, Daniels AH; International Spine Study Group. Defining modern iatrogenic flatback syndrome: Examination of segmental lordosis in short lumbar fusion patients undergoing thoracolumbar deformity correction.Eur Spine J2024 Dec;33(12):4627-463538 PMID:394433712024   
  • Passias PG, Tretiakov P, Onafowokan OO, Das A, Lafage R, Smith JS, Line BG, Nayak P, Diebo B, Daniels AH, Gum JL, Hamilton DK, Buell TJ, Soroceanu A, Scheer JK, Eastlack RK, Mullin JP, Schoenfeld AJ, Mundis GM, Hosogane N, Yagi M, Mummaneni PV, Chou D, Fu KM, Than KD, Anand N, Okonkwo DO, Wang MY, Klineberg E, Kebaish KM, Lewis S, Hostin R,Gupta M, Lenke L, Kim HJ, Shaffrey CI, Bess S, Schwab F, Lafage V, Burton D. When is staging complex adult spinal deformity advantageous? Identifying subsets of patients who benefit from staged interventions.J Neurosurg Spine2024 Nov 22:42(2):185-192. Print 2025 Feb 1 PMID:395769892024   
  • Daniels AH, Singh M, Daher M, Balmaceno-Criss M, Lafage R,Gupta MC, Gum JL, Hamilton DK, Passias PG, Protopsaltis TS, Kebaish KM, Lenke LG, Ames CP, Klineberg EO, Line BG, Schwab FJ, Bess S, Lafage V, Diebo BG.The fate of the fractional curve following adult idiopathic scoliosis (AdIS) correction: Impact of curve magnitude on postoperative outcomes.J Neurosurg Spine2024 Nov 15:42(2):193-202. Print 2025 Feb 1 PMID:395467962024   
  • Passias PG, Passfall L, Tretiakov PS, Das A, Onafowokan OO, Smith JS, Lafage V, Line B, Gum J, Kebaish KM, Than KD, Mundis G, Hostin R,Gupta M, Eastlack RK, Chou D, Forman A, Diebo B, Daniels AH, Protopsaltis T, Hamilton DK, Soroceanu A, Pinteric R, Mummaneni P, Kim HJ, Anand N, Ames CP, Hart R, Burton D, Schwab FJ, Shaffrey C, Klineberg EO, Bess S; International Spine Study Group. Have we made advancements in optimizing surgical outcomes and enhancing recovery for patients with high-risk adult spinal deformity over time?Oper Neurosurg2024 Nov 4 Epub ahead of print. PMID:395898962024   
  • Onafowokan OO, Krol O, Lafage V, Lafage R, Smith JS, Line B, Vira S, Daniels AH, Diebo B, Schoenfeld AJ, Gum J, Kebaish K, Than K, Kim HJ, Hostin R,Gupta M, Eastlack R, Burton D, Schwab FJ, Shaffrey C, Klineberg EO, Bess S. International Spine Study Group. Which components of the global alignment proportionality score have the greatest impact on outcomes in adult spinal deformity corrective surgery?Eur Spine J. 2024 Nov 4. Epub ahead of print. PMID:394969432024   
  • Daher M, Daniels AH, Knebel A, Balmaceno-Criss M, Lafage R, Lenke LG, Ames CP, Burton DC, Lewis S, Klineberg EO, Eastlack RK,Gupta MC, Mundis GM, Gum JL, Hamilton KD, Hostin R, Passias PG, Protopsaltis TS, Kebaish KM, Kim HJ, Schwab F, Shaffrey CI, Smith JS, Line B, Bess S, Lafage V, Diebo BG; International Spine Study Group. Impact of knee osteoarthritis and anthroplasty of full body sagittal alignment in adult spinal deformity patients. 2024 Nov 6. Epub ahead of print PMID:39505566

Research Interests

Basic Science: The study of spinal fusion in animal models. Dr. Gupta has studied fusion models in several species and various conditions which enhance and inhibit fusion including bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 7. Biomechanics of spine constructs for use in treatment of spinal deformity.

Clinical Science: Clinical outcomes of various techniques used in the treatment of spinal deformity including multiple rods for osteotomies.

Clinical Interests

Dr. Gupta specializes in adult and pediatric spine surgery, with a focus on complex spinal reconstructive surgery for treatment of all spinal deformities of the lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions. He has over 30 years of experience in treating spinal deformities such as scoliosis, kyphosis, spondylolisthesis and Flatback syndrome. Dr. Gupta also specializes in spinal revision surgery and spinal tumors.

Background

Dr. Gupta is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Gupta received his medical degree at Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, where he also completed an Internship in General Surgery, and a residency in Orthopaedic Surgery. He then completed a fellowship in Spine Surgery at the Kenton D. Leatherman Spine Center and University of Louisville in Louisville, KY. Prior to arriving at Washington University, Dr. Gupta served as the Vice-Chair of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chief of Spine Surgery and Clinical Co-Director of the Spine Center at the University of California Davis School of Medicine. He also served as the Director of Spine Surgery for Shriners Hospital of Northern California.

Dr. Gupta is a member of the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), North American Spine Society (NASS), American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), American Orthopaedic Association, National Scoliosis Foundation, American College of Surgeons, Twentieth Century Orthopedics, Federation of Spine Associations, and Scoliosis Association, Inc. He serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Spinal Deformity and a Reviewer for the Spine Arthroplasty Society Journal, Global Spine Journal and European Spine Journal. He has published numerous articles, book chapters, research projects and presented nationally and internationally, focusing on spine disorders. Dr. Gupta has been selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Doctors in America® from 2009 to present.

Medical Degree

  • Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

Residency

  • Orthopaedic Surgery, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

Fellowship

  • Spine Surgery, Kenton D. Leatherman Spine Center and University of Louisville, Louisville, KY

Graduate Degree

  • Executive MBA, Washington University, St. Louis, MO
    Beta Gamma Sigma, International Business Honor Society

Honors and Awards

  • 2024, Russell A. Hibbs Award Winner Best Clinical Research Paper, 59th Scoliosis Research Meeting, Barcelona, Spain

  •  2024, Russell A. Hibbs Award Winner Best Basic science/translational research Paper, 59th Scoliosis Research Meeting, Barcelona, Spain

  • 2024, Nominated Best Paper, 39th NASS Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois

  • 2023, Nominated Louis A. Goldstein, 58th Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington

  • 2022, Two Nominations Hibbs for Best Clinical Paper, 57th Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting

  • 2022, Nominated Whitecloud Award for Best Clinical Paper, 28th International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques, Miami, FL

  • 2021, Russell A. Hibbs Award Winner Best clinical research paper, 56th Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting, St. Louis, MO

  • 2020, Two Nominations for Best Paper, NASS Annual MeetingVirtual

  • 2020, Nominated for Hibbs Clinical, 55th Scoliosis Research Society Annual MeetingVirtual

  • 2020, Nominated for Hibbs Basic Science, 55th Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting -Virtual

  • 2020, Whitecloud Award for Best Clinical Paper, International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST) Annual Meeting - Virtual
  • 2017, Louis A. Goldstein Best Clinical Research Poster, 52nd Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting,  Milwaukee, WI
  • 2016, Louis A. Goldstein Award Nominee for Best Clinical Research Poster, 51st Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2016, Nominated for Whitecloud Best Clinical Paper, 23rd International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques Annual Meeting, Washington DC
  • 2016, Nominated for Hibbs Clinical Research Award, 51st Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic
  • 2015, Best Doctors in America, St. Louis Magazine
  • 2014, Best Poster Award for “Impact of Major and Minor Complications on Health Related Quality of Life Following Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: Multicenter Prospective Database”, The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, Miami, Florida April 30 – May 2, 2014
  • 2009, Edgar Dawson Traveling Fellowship Recipient Host, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)
  • 2004, Distinguished Service Award, City of Detroit
  • 2002, Teacher of the Year, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Orthopaedic Department
  • 2002, Nominated for Russell Hibbs Award for Research
  • 2001, Spirit of Detroit Award for Work in West Africa
  • 2001, Nominated for Russell Hibbs Award for Research
  • 1999, Teacher of the Year, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Orthopaedic Department
  • 1998, Chief Residents’ Special Recognition Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Orthopaedic Department

 

Professional Societies and Organizations:

  • 2015, Editorial Board Member, Journal of Spinal Deformity
  • 2013-Present, Board of Directors Member, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)
  • 2013-Present, Member, Twentieth Century Orthopedics
  • 2011-2015, Associate Editor, Spinal Deformity Journal
  • 2009-Present, Treasurer, Federation of Spine Associations
  • 2007-Present, Reviewer, Spine Arthroplasty Society Journal
  • 2007, 2010-Present – Member, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Worldwide Course Committee
  • 2007-2008, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Awards and Scholarships Committee and Educational Council Committee
  • 2007-2008, Chair, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Global Outreach Committee
  • 2003-2007, Member, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) Research Grant Committee and Global Outreach Committee
  • 1997-Present, Member, North American Spine Society (NASS)
  • 1997-Present, Member, Scoliosis Association, Inc., Professional Advisory Board
  • 1998-Present, Member, Paul R. Lipscomb Orthopedic Society
  • Member, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
  • Member, American College of Surgeons
  • Member, American Orthopaedic Association
  • Member, National Scoliosis Foundation
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Dr. Gupta’s Office Locations

Center for Advanced Medicine (CAM)

Barnes Jewish Hospital

4921 Parkview Place

St Louis, MO 63110

St. Louis Children's Hospital

4S60, Suite 1B

One Children's Place

St Louis, MO 63110

Shriners Hospital for Children

4400 Clayton Ave.

St Louis, MO 63110

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The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has no control over third-party websites and does not review such websites. The university disclaims any responsibility for the content of third-party websites and the use of any information on these sites.