Neurosurgeon Avery L. Buchholz, MD, FAANS, has been named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking the third year he has received the honor. The designation places him among the top 7 percent of licensed physicians in the United States, as selected by Castle Connolly Top Doctors, which identifies leading doctors in their respective specialties and regions.
Dr. Buchholz is a board-certified neurosurgeon and spine specialist at Capital Spine and Pain Institute, a practice known for its interdisciplinary approach to comprehensive, minimally invasive spine care and targeted pain management. His recognition reflects a sustained commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centered treatment.
At Capital Spine and Pain Institute, Dr. Buchholz evaluates and treats a broad spectrum of complex spine conditions, including adult spinal deformities, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal trauma. He emphasizes an evidence-based approach, prioritizing conservative, non-surgical treatment protocols whenever appropriate. When surgery is necessary, he tailors care plans to minimize tissue disruption, reduce recovery times, and optimize clinical outcomes.
His key procedures include minimally invasive lumbar discectomy and laminectomy, robotic-assisted spinal fusion and instrumentation, complex adult spinal deformity and scoliosis reconstruction, cervical artificial disc replacement, motion-preservation spinal surgery, and image-guided spinal decompression. These advanced techniques are designed to address debilitating spine conditions while preserving function and accelerating recovery.
Dr. Buchholz completed his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He then completed a neurological surgery residency at the Medical University of South Carolina, followed by a specialized clinical fellowship in complex spinal deformity and pediatric scoliosis surgery at the University of Virginia. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS) and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters on spinal surgery outcomes, biomechanics, and surgical safety.
The Castle Connolly Top Doctor selection process is rigorous: doctors are nominated by their peers and then evaluated by a physician-led research team. Honorees are chosen based on criteria such as medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary history. Importantly, doctors cannot pay to be selected, ensuring the list’s integrity and trustworthiness.
This third Top Doctor designation for Dr. Buchholz carries significant implications for patients, referring physicians, and the broader spine care community. It signals that patients seeking expert care for complex spinal disorders can have confidence in his qualifications and proven track record. For the industry, it underscores the growing value placed on minimally invasive and motion-preservation techniques that can lead to faster recoveries and better long-term outcomes. The recognition also reinforces Capital Spine and Pain Institute’s reputation as a destination for advanced spine care in the region.
Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at castleconnolly.com and through various print and online partner publications. The list serves as a trusted resource for patients and families navigating complex medical decisions.
