Dr. Branko Skovrlj, MD
Neurosurgeon Near You In New Jersey
When considering a step as significant & life-altering as spine surgery, it’s essential to choose a doctor you can trust. Dr. Branko Skovrlj, MD, is the founder and presiding neurosurgeon at NU-Spine: The Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Institute. He specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery at locations throughout New Jersey in Paramus, Woodbridge, Toms River, Jersey City, Holmdel, Freehold, and Hainesport. A top-rated spine specialist, he combines his skills and training with advanced surgical techniques to provide patients with long-term back pain relief.
Who Is Dr. Branko Skovrlj?
Dr. Branko Skovrlj is a board-certified neurosurgeon and fellowship-trained spine surgeon. He is one of just a few New Jersey doctors to specialize exclusively in the spine and is among the best-in-class neurosurgeons for patients seeking spine surgery. He uses advanced techniques and evidence-based treatments to deliver functional relief while prioritizing an aesthetically pleasing result with minimal to no visible scarring.
Though world-renowned, Dr. Skovrlj maintains his small-town values. He makes an extra effort to get to know each patient personally and establish a positive rapport. Back pain can be a difficult topic to approach, especially when it’s associated with lifestyle changes or body insecurities. Dr. Skovrlj understands that a friendly, familiar environment can help patients feel comfortable when discussing diagnoses and solutions to their pain.
What Do His Patients Say About Dr. Skovrlj?
Clinical Interest in Spine Surgery
Though Dr. Skovrlj is proficient in all aspects of spine surgery, he has a special interest in spinal deformity corrections. Deformities such as scoliosis, kyphosis, and degenerative spondylolisthesis are prevalent among senior populations but can appear at any age. Dr. Skovrlj has mastered corrective surgery to restore proper alignment.
He also has a close focus on spinal revision surgery. After a difficult surgery and painstaking recovery, it can be disheartening to have pain return. Dr. Skovrlj believes it is never too late to find the best solution for back pain. After encountering many patients with failed back syndrome, he developed advanced techniques to repair or improve upon the results of previous spine procedures.Â
His expertise helps patients find the true, lasting relief they needed from the start. Dr. Skovrlj also contributes to the global effort to improve medical understanding of the spine. He has more than 50 peer-reviewed publications in spine surgery and more than 150 clinical research papers, including significant contributions to a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded in-vivo study on discogenic pain in the lumbar spine. His research has been presented at prestigious meetings all over the world.
Nominations and Awards
Dr. Skovrlj’s contributions to medical research and surgery have been honored with prestigious awards and nominations. Among others, his accolades include:
- North American Spine Society Resident Research Award
- North American Spine Society Value Award
- AO Spine North America Fellow Research Award
- Neurosurgery Publication Special Recognition Award
He is also an active member of multiple professional research societies dedicated to advancing spine care worldwide. His memberships include:
- North American Spine Society (NASS)
- Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS)
- American Academy of Neurological Surgery
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
- Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)
Each society performs research and delivers continued education to keep neurology care and spine surgery on the cutting edge. As a member, Dr. Skovrlj has access to the latest information in his field, and he supports other doctors worldwide with the same. His memberships demonstrate his commitment to offering the most comprehensive, up-to-date spine care available for his patients.
Minimally Invasive Methods
With every condition he treats, Dr. Skovrlj prioritizes the most non-invasive approach. When possible, he uses conservative treatments like physical therapy, medication, and supportive braces to mitigate pain. When surgery is required, he specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery. These methods involve advanced instruments and endoscopic cameras for improved precision through very tiny incisions, minimizing the amount of cutting necessary. Â
By using smaller incisions that don’t cut through muscle, minimally invasive practices create safer procedures that cause less stress to the body. Blood loss is reduced, as is the risk of infection and other complications. Minimally invasive surgeries may also be completed more quickly. Many of Dr. Skovrlj’s surgeries occur on an outpatient basis, meaning patients can go home the same day of the surgery. Once home, patients can expect a faster and easier recovery.
History and Education
Dr. Skovrlj was born in Split, Croatia. He immigrated to the United States in 1999 as a Rotary Exchange Student to study in Council Grove, Kansas. He received a basketball scholarship to Clayton State University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he played on the NCAA men’s basketball team. He finished his undergraduate studies at Clayton State, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2005.
His education continued at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York, where he earned his Doctorate of Medicine (MD) degree. He then moved to New York City to participate in residency and fellowship programs at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. There, he completed the following:
- Neurosurgery Residency
- Complex Spine and Deformity Surgery Fellowship
- Minimally Invasive, Complex Spine and Deformity Surgery Fellowship
He also receives continuing education through his various memberships, regularly updating his skill set with the latest information and innovations. When patients receive treatment at NU-Spine, they have the guarantee of an experienced and knowledgeable doctor addressing their pain.
Schedule Appointment With a Top Neurosurgeon Near You
Are you living with back pain? Transform your life with minimally invasive spine treatments from our expert neurosurgeons. Experience lasting relief without extensive recovery time. Schedule your consultation today—your path to a pain-free future starts with one call.