Dr. Avery L. Buchholz, MD, FAANS, has been named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctor, marking the third year he has received the prestigious designation. Only 7 percent of the nation's licensed physicians are selected annually as Castle Connolly Top Doctors for their specialties in their regions. This recognition underscores Dr. Buchholz's standing as a leading neurosurgeon and spine specialist.
Dr. Buchholz is a board-certified neurosurgeon and spine specialist with Capital Spine and Pain Institute, a leading interdisciplinary practice recognized for providing comprehensive, minimally invasive spine care and targeted pain management solutions. The practice's focus on advanced techniques and patient-centered care aligns with Dr. Buchholz's approach to treating complex spinal conditions.
He evaluates and treats a range of complex spine disorders, adult spinal deformities, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal trauma. Dr. Buchholz utilizes an evidence-based approach to patient care, prioritizing conservative, non-surgical treatment protocols whenever appropriate. When surgical intervention is required, care plans are tailored to minimize tissue disruption, reduce recovery times, and optimize clinical outcomes. 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.
Dr. Buchholz completed his medical degree at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. He completed his 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 focused on spinal surgery outcomes, biomechanics, and surgical safety.
The Castle Connolly Top Doctor designation is awarded based on a rigorous selection process. Top Doctors are nominated by peer physicians and selected by the physician-led Castle Connolly research team. Nominations are open to all board-certified MDs, DOs, and DPMs. The Castle Connolly team chooses honorees based on nominee criteria that includes their medical education, training, hospital appointments, and disciplinary histories. Importantly, doctors do not and cannot pay to be selected as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor, ensuring the integrity of the recognition.
For patients with complex spinal conditions, this honor signals that Dr. Buchholz is among the most trusted and skilled specialists in his field. It provides assurance that they are receiving care from a physician who has been vetted by peers and a reputable research team. The recognition also highlights the high standards of care available at Capital Spine and Pain Institute, which offers advanced, minimally invasive solutions for spine and pain management.
Castle Connolly publishes its Top Doctors list at castleconnolly.com and in various print and online partner publications. This broad dissemination helps patients identify top-tier physicians in their regions. Dr. Buchholz's third consecutive year as a Top Doctor demonstrates sustained excellence and a commitment to advancing spinal care. His inclusion in the 2026 list reinforces the importance of peer-reviewed recognition in helping patients make informed healthcare decisions.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Buchholz, call (571) 399-6340 or visit capitalspineinstitute.com/contact-us. The practice welcomes patients seeking expert evaluation and treatment for a wide range of spinal disorders.
