Ernest U. Conrad, MD, FACS

Expert Publications

• Very intensive, short-term chemotherapy for children and adolescents with metastatic sarcomas.
• MDR1 gene expression and outcome in osteosarcoma: a prospective, multicenter study.
• Sarcoma tumor FDG uptake measured by PET and patient outcome: a retrospective analysis.
• FDG PET imaging guided re-evaluation of histopathologic response in a patient with high-grade sarcoma.
• Rotational stability of a modified step-cut for use in intercalary allografts.
• Errors in diagnosis and margin determination of soft-tissue sarcomas initially treated at non-tertiary centers.
• Sacral resection and reconstruction for tumors and tumor-like conditions.
• Risk assessment in liposarcoma patients based on FDG PET imaging.
• Survival of tumor megaprostheses replacements about the knee.
• PET imaging: update on sarcomas.
• Spatial heterogeneity in sarcoma 18F-FDG uptake as a predictor of patient
• Risk assessment based on FDG-PET imaging in patients with synovial sarcoma.
• Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in leiomyosarcoma: imaging characteristics.
• Megaprosthesis versus Condyle-sparing intercalary allograft: distal femoral sarcoma.
• Comparison of STIR and spin-echo MR imaging at 1.5 T in 45 suspected extremity tumors: lesion conspicuity and extent.

Media Releases

Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Ernest U. Conrad, who serves patients in Texas.

Dr. Conrad is a Professor in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). He also sees patients at UT Physicians Orthopedics at Ironman Sports Medicine Institute – Texas Medical Center & UT Physicians Orthopedics at Memorial Hermann Orthopedic and Spine Hospital.

Specializing in orthopedic oncology, his main clinical interests and emphasis include treating bone and soft tissue tumors in children and adults, and in reconstruction and grafting for bone tumors.

Academically, Dr. Conrad earned his undergraduate degree at Washington and Lee University. He completed medical school at The University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville, Virginia. He then did his internship at Roosevelt Hospital in New York and his residency in orthopedic surgery at The Hospital for Special Surgery, Sloan-Kettering Memorial Hospital Cornell Medical Center. Following his residency, he completed a fellowship in orthopedic oncology under Dr. William Enneking at the University of Florida, and also completed an additional fellowship in pediatric orthopedics under Dr. Mercer Rang at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario.

Shortly after completing his fellowship in Toronto, Dr. Conrad moved to the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. He made the move because he was able to treat sarcoma using chemotherapy, which was a new idea and what he believed was just the beginning of treating bone and soft tissue tumors. In Seattle, he paved the way and helped set standards for the world in assessing risk and response in sarcoma patients using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and as well for limb salvage surgery (skeletal bone in adults and children). Currently, his interest includes finding new drugs for sarcoma treatment.

A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), the doctor is board-certified in orthopedic surgery by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS). The ABOS is an organization with the goal of establishing educational and professional standards for orthopedic residents and surgeons as well as evaluating the qualifications and competence of orthopedic surgeons.

Attributing his success to academic discipline, Dr. Conrad’s research projects include multiple clinical studies in pediatric and adult tumors with a special interest in pediatric limb-sparing procedures, benign pediatric tumors, and soft-tissue sarcomas in adults. His research interests include the metabolic imaging of sarcomas, the clinical and biologic description of hereditary multiple exostoses, and the response associated with musculoskeletal transplantation. He instituted the first multidisciplinary clinics in both pediatric and adult sarcomas at Children’s and the University of Washington.

Orthopedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

When he is not working, Dr. Conrad devotes his time to his wife and three adult children. He also enjoys fishing and boating. His favorite places to vacation are Amsterdam and Hood Canal, and his favorite professional publications include the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics B, Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research, and the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.

Recommended Articles

• How to Prepare for Lasik Eye Surgery

  Lasik (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis), commonly referred to as laser eye surgery or laser vision correction, is a revolutionary new technology that corrects distortion in vision using focused laser beams to remove corneal tissue. The reconstruction of the surface of the cornea enables it...

• Prenatal Testing and Diagnosis of Cystic Fibrosis

  Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited disease that is caused by a defect in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. The CFTR protein is responsible for controlling the transportation of salt in and out of cells. Any mutations in the CFTR gene can cause an imbalance in the...

• Fasting May Be Good for Diabetes, Research Shows

  Intermittent fasting is common nowadays, and recent studies have shown that there are successes involved with this type of fasting. The most success about the fasting involves diabetes, and perhaps, it is the most impressive. Intermittent fasting involves restricting eating to certain times and not...

• What are the Risks of an Appendectomy?

  Sometimes the appendix develops complications. When that happens, the patient usually experiences intense pain in the lower abdomen. This requires immediate medical attention to prevent the appendix from bursting. This whole emergency condition is known as appendicitis.Appendicitis refers to the...

• New Approach to Ovarian Cancer Screening: Is it Beneficial?

  Women and the medical community need a simplified tool to screen for ovarian cancer and breast cancer whenever they visit a cancer imaging center. Such a tool should be practical and should be able to identify women who are at a high risk for ovarian and breast cancer and who might otherwise go...

• Getting Help For An Eating Disorder: Types of Treatment

  Eating disorders can be a problematic condition physically, psychologically, and can inhibit a person from living a healthy lifestyle. Their effects are apparent, and these conditions require the right combination of associated therapies for proper treatment. Whether it is a binge-eating disorder,...