Dr. S. Babak Kalantar, MD

Expert Publications

• Extrication collars can result in abnormal separation between vertebrae in the presence of a dissociative injury.
• Degenerative disease of the cervical spine and its relationship to athletes.
• Cost and value of spinal deformity surgery.

Media Releases

Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. S. Babak Kalantar, who serves patients in Washington, DC.

An established orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Kalantar is a member of the MedStar Orthopedic Institute and performs surgery at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He is also Co-Director of the MedStar Spine Center, and an Associate Professor in the MedStar Georgetown University Department of Orthopedics. He became a spine surgeon to help patients with debilitating pain or lack of function return to the highest quality of living possible. 

In addition to performing surgery, he guides patients before surgery, offering as much time and information as patients need to make decisions about the best treatment. He also guides patients after surgery to help them recover to their full potential.

With a broad educational background, Dr. Kalantar graduated with his medical degree from the Eastern Virginia Medical School in 2004. After medical school, he completed his internship and residency with the Baylor College of Medicine. Driven to further his knowledge and expertise, he went on to undertake his fellowship in spinal surgery at Emory University Hospital.

Recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (FAAOS), the doctor is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and spine 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.

Committed to keeping current with the new developments, guidelines, and procedures in his field, he is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the North American Spine Society, the Society of Lateral Access Surgeons, the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, and the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.

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.

As a testament to his success, Dr. Kalantar has been the recipient of the Washingtonian Magazine Top Doctor in Spinal Surgery (2015-2021), Northern Virginia Magazine Top Doctor in Spinal Surgery (2017-2020), and FindATopDoc.com Top Doctor (2018, 2022).

On a more personal note, he considers that his dedication and his hard work have been contributing factors to his successful career. When not treating patients, he devotes his spare time to reading spinal surgery related publications as well as to playing golf and traveling.

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