Dr. James Zhou is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon who earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, graduating with the Brinton Prize for highest honors. He completed his neurosurgery residency at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Ariz., where he also completed enfolded fellowships in spinal deformity and minimally invasive spine surgery.

Dr. Zhou’s clinical and research interests include optimizing spinal alignment and improving outcomes following spine surgery. He uses minimally invasive and alignment-based strategies to help patients to return to activity sooner, with fewer complications and a lower risk of adjacent-level degeneration.

Dr. Zhou treats a wide range of spinal conditions, including degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and spinal tumors. His surgical practice focuses on modern, tissue-preserving techniques such as percutaneous spinal fixation, lateral and anterior lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF and ALIF), and minimally invasive spinal decompression using tubular retractor systems.

Dr. Zhou has published peer-reviewed studies on global spinal alignment, including how sagittal and coronal balance change after spinal deformity surgery. He has also contributed to research on cervical spine trauma, craniovertebral junction instability, and the biomechanical considerations of spinal instrumentation.

Clinical Interests: Optimizing Spinal Alignment, Spine Surgery

*This physician is employed by Mount Sinai Medical Center