Karl Rathjen, M.D.

Orthopaedic Surgery - Pediatric Orthopaedics

Biography

Dr. Karl Rathjen is a Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and is Director, Division of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Children’s Medical Center Dallas. Dr. Rathjen is an honor graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Parkland Hospital / The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and a fellowship in pediatric orthopaedic surgery at Children’s Hospital in San Diego. Dr. Rathjen is a member of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, the Scoliosis Research Society, the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the American Medical Association.

In 2018, he was named a Super Doctor by Texas Monthly.

Education & Training

Medical School - UT Southwestern Medical School (1986-1990)
Residency - UT Southwestern Medical Center (1991-1995), Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship - Rady Children's Hospital of San Diego (1995-1996), Pediatric Orthopaedics
Internship - UT Southwestern Medical Center (1990-1991), Surgery

Professional Associations & Affiliations

Spina Bifida Association of America - Professional Advisory Committee
Scoliosis Research Society
Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery
American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine

Books & Publications

Publications
- The Effect of Implant Density on Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Fusion: Results of the Minimize Implants Maximize Outcomes Randomized Clinical Trial
  Author Collaboration MI, Larson AN, Polly DW, Sponseller PD, Kelly MP, Richards BS, Garg S, Parent S, Shah SA, Weinstein SL, Crawford CH, Sanders JO, Blakemore LC, Oetgen ME, Fletcher ND, Kremers WK, Marks MC, Brearley AM, Aubin CE, Sucato DJ, Labelle H, Erickson MA, Polly DW, Sponseller PD, Kelly MP, Richards BS, Garg S, Parent S, Shah SA, Weinstein SL, Crawford CH, Sanders JO, Blakemore LC, Oetgen ME, Fletcher ND, Marks MC, Aubin CE, Sucato DJ, Labelle H, Erickson MA, Glassman SD, Lenke LG, McIntosh AL, Carreon LY, Dolan LA, Nuckley DJ, Luhmann S, Karol L, Rathjen K, Johnston CE, Ramo B Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2024 Feb 106 180-189
- Do Children With Medicaid Insurance Have Increased Revision Rates 5 Years After Posterior Spinal Fusions?
  Moore HG, Patibandla SD, Mcclung AM, Grauer JN, Sucato DJ, Wise CA, Johnson ME, Rathjen KE, Mcintosh AL, Ramo BA, Brooks JT Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2023 Nov 43 615-619
- Letter to the Editor: Grauberger et al, J Pediatr Orthop, 2020 and Sullivan et al, J Pediatr Orthop, 2020
  Blakemore L, Garg S, Goodwin R, Gordon JE, Hahn G, Mehlman CT, Mencio G, Rathjen K, Sabatini C, Schmale G, Skaggs DL Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2023 Nov 43 E828
- An Analysis of Scoliosis in Autism Spectrum Disorder
  Orland K, Harvey K, Klinkerman LN, Corrales A, Jamnik A, Zale C, Jo CH, Rathjen K, McIntosh A, Petrasic J, Sucato DJ, Ramo B, Johnson M, Brooks JT Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2023 Nov 43 E804-E808
- Spinal Fusion in Patients With Classic Amyoplasia and General Arthrogryposis
  Riepen D, Lachmann EE, Wahlig B, Thornberg DC, Rathjen KE Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2023 Oct 43 E751-E756
- Clinical and Radiographic Assessment of Adult Function After Blount Disease in Childhood: An Exercise in Futility
  Makarov MR, Polk JL, Shivers CR, Jo CH, Rathjen KE, Birch JG Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2023 Oct 43 E757-E760
- Pain Catastrophizing Influences Preoperative and Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis
  Ramo BA, Collins-Jones TL, Thornberg D, Klinkerman L, Rathjen K, Jo CH Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2022 Nov 104 1859-1868
- Scoliosis in children
  Rathjen K 2022 Jun 549-666
- The Efficacy of Intra-articular Subtalar Steroid Injection for Symptomatic Talocalcaneal Coalitions: A 30-Year Single Institution Experience
  Zide JR, Shivers C, Adair C, Le T, Kanaan Y, Rathjen K, Jo CH, Riccio AI Journal of pediatric orthopedics 2022 May 42 e453-e458
- Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita: a 28-year retrospective study
  Wahlig B, Poppino K, Jo CH, Rathjen K Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology 2022 Apr 64 476-480
- Predictors of appointment adherence following operative treatment of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures: Which patients are not following up?
  Hubbard EW, Rathjen KE, Elliott M, Wimberly RL, Riccio AI Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics Part B 2022 Jan 31 25-30
- Incidence and significance of findings on spinal MRIs in a paediatric population with spinal column complaints
  Rathjen K, Dieckmann RJ, Thornberg DC, Karam A, Birch JG Journal of Children's Orthopaedics 2021 15 70-75
- Two AIS spine surgeries on the same day by the same surgeon: is performance and outcome the same for the second patient?
  Floccari LV, Poppino KF, Mundluru SN, McIntosh AL, Rathjen KE, Sucato DJ Spine deformity 2020 Oct 8 977-981
- Prospective Comparison of Patient-selected Operative Versus Nonoperative Treatment of Scheuermann Kyphosis
  Green C, Brown K, Caine H, Dieckmann RJ, Rathjen KE Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2020 Sep 40 e716-e719
- Distal Junctional Failure Following Pediatric Spinal Fusion
  Floccari LV, Su AW, McIntosh AL, Rathjen K, Shaughnessy WJ, Larson NN Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2019 Apr 39 202-208
- Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance: A Consensus Statement and Algorithm from the Pediatric Cervical Spine Clearance Working Group
  Herman MJ, Brown KO, Sponseller PD, Phillips JH, Petrucelli PM, Parikh DJ, Mody KS, Leonard JC, Moront M, Brockmeyer DL, Anderson RC, Alder AC, Anderson JT, Bernstein RM, Booth TN, Braga BP, Cahill PJ, Joglar JM, Martus JE, Nesiama JA, Pahys JM, Rathjen KE, Riccio AI, Schulz JF, Stans AA, Shah MI, Warner WC, Yaszay B Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - American Volume 2019 Jan 101 E1
- A multi-ethnic meta-analysis confirms the association of rs6570507 with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
  Author Collaboration JS, Author Collaboration TS, Kou I, Watanabe K, Takahashi Y, Momozawa Y, Khanshour A, Grauers A, Zhou H, Liu G, Fan YH, Takeda K, Ogura Y, Zhou T, Iwasaki Y, Kubo M, Wu Z, Matsumoto M, Kawakami N, Uno K, Suzuki T, Sudo H, Minami S, Kotani T, Ito M, Yanagida H, Taneichi H, Yonezawa I, Chiba K, Hosogane N, Fujita N, Yagi M, Kono K, Okada E, Nishida K, Kakutani K, Sakuma T, Harimaya K, Kaito T, Watanabe K, Taniguchi Y, Tsuji T, Akazawa T, Karol LA, Rathjen KE, Sucato DJ, Johnston CE, Richards BS, Ramo B, McIntosh AL, Herring JA, Wise CA Scientific reports 2018 Dec 8
- An international meta-analysis confirms the association of BNC2 with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
  Ogura Y, Takeda K, Kou I, Khanshour A, Grauers A, Zhou H, Liu G, Fan YH, Zhou T, Wu Z, Takahashi Y, Matsumoto M, Kawakami N, Tsuji T, Uno K, Suzuki T, Ito M, Minami S, Kotani T, Sakuma T, Yanagida H, Taneichi H, Yonezawa I, Sudo H, Chiba K, Hosogane N, Nishida K, Kakutani K, Akazawa T, Kaito T, Watanabe K, Harimaya K, Taniguchi Y, Shigematsu H, Demura S, Iida T, Kono K, Okada E, Fujita N, Yagi M, Nakamura M, Karol LA, Rathjen KE, Sucato DJ, Birch JG, Johnston CE, Richards BS, Ramo B, McIntosh AL, Herring JA, Milbrandt TA, Talwakar VR, Iwinski HJ, Muchow RD, Tassone JC, Liu XC, Shindell R, Schrader W, Eberson C, Lapinsky A, Loder R, Davey J, Einarsdottir E, Kere J, Huang D, Qiu G, Xu L, Qiu Y, Wise CA, Song YQ, Wu N, Su P, Gerdhem P, Watanabe K, Ikegawa S Scientific reports 2018 Dec 8
- Tönnis triple pelvic osteotomy
  Rathjen KE, Tice AD 2018 Oct 55-61
- Pelvic support osteotomy
  Rathjen KE, Samchukov ML, Cherkashin AM, Birch JG 2018 Oct 275-286
- Complications Associated With Epiphysiodesis for Management of Leg Length Discrepancy
  Makarov MR, Dunn SH, Singer DE, Rathjen KE, Ramo BA, Chukwunyerenwa CK, Birch JG Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2016 Aug
- The management of soft tissue and bone loss in type IIIB and IIIC pediatric open tibia fractures
  Laine JC, Cherkashin A, Samchukov M, Birch JG, Rathjen KE Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2016 36 453-458
- Outcomes of spinal fusion for cervical kyphosis in children with neurofibromatosis
  Helenius IJ, Sponseller PD, Mackenzie W, Odent T, Dormans JP, Asghar J, Rathjen K, Pahys JM, Miyanji F, Hedequist D, Phillips JH Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - American Volume 2016 98 e95
- Physeal bar excision
  Rathjen KE, Riccio AI 2016 Jan 67-77
- Mutations Preventing Regulated Exon Skipping in MET Cause Osteofibrous Dysplasia
  Gray MJ, Kannu P, Sharma S, Neyt C, Zhang D, Paria N, Daniel PB, Whetstone H, Sprenger HG, Hammerschmidt P, Weng A, Dupuis L, Jobling R, Mendoza-Londono R, Dray M, Su P, Wilson MJ, Kapur RP, McCarthy EF, Alman BA, Howard A, Somers GR, Marshall CR, Manners S, Flanagan AM, Rathjen KE, Karol LA, Crawford H, Markie DM, Rios JJ, Wise CA, Robertson SP American Journal of Human Genetics 2015 Dec 97 837-847
- A PAX1 enhancer locus is associated with susceptibility to idiopathic scoliosis in females
  Author Collaboration TS, Author Collaboration JS, Sharma S, Londono D, Eckalbar WL, Gao X, Zhang D, Mauldin K, Kou I, Takahashi A, Matsumoto M, Kamiya N, Murphy KK, Cornelia R, Herring JA, Burns D, Ahituv N, Ikegawa S, Gordon D, Wise CA, Karol L, Rathjen K, Sucato D, Birch J, Johnston C, Richards BS, Mildrant T, Talwakar V, Iwinski H, Muchow R, Tassone JC, Liu XC, Shindell R, Schrader W, Eberson C, Lapinsky A, Loder R, Davey J, Hosogane N, Ogura Y, Takahashi Y, Miyake A, Watanabe K, Chiba K, Toyama Y, Kono K, Kawakami N, Tsuji T, Uno K, Suzuki T, Ito M, Sudo H Nature communications 2015 6
- Circular external fixation of the spine and pelvisfor insoluble spinal deformities
  Birch J, Samchukov M, Cherkashin A, Rathjen K 2015 Jan 407-419
- Physeal injuries and growth disturbances
  Rathjen KE, Kim HK 2014 Dec
- Physeal injuries and growth disturbances
  Rathjen KE, Kim HK 2014 Oct 2-2
- Physeal injuries and growth disturbances
  Rathjen KE, Kim HK 2014 Sep
- Genomic analyses of patients with unexplained early-onset scoliosis
  Gao X, Gotway G, Rathjen K, Johnston C, Sparagana S, Wise CA Spine deformity 2014 Sep 2 324-332
- Serial casting as a delay tactic in the treatment of moderate-to-severe early-onset scoliosis
  Fletcher ND, McClung A, Rathjen KE, Denning JR, Browne R, Johnston CE Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2012 Oct 32 664-671
- Initial severity rating of idiopathic clubfeet is an outcome predictor at age two years
  Zhang W, Richards BS, Faulks ST, Karol LA, Rathjen KA, Browne RH Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics Part B 2012 Jan 21 16-19
- Pediatric cervical kyphosis: A comparison of arthrodesis techniques
  Martus JE, Griffith TE, Dear JC, Rathjen KE Spine 2011 Aug 36 E1145-E1153
- Kyphectomy improves sitting and skin problems in patients with myelomeningocele
  Garg S, Oetgen M, Rathjen K, Richards BS Clinical orthopaedics and related research 2011 May 469 1279-1285
- Asymmetrical arthrogryposis of the upper extremity associated with congenital spine anomalies
  Fletcher ND, Rathjen KE, Bush P, Ezaki M Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2010 Dec 30 936-941
- Guided growth for the correction of pediatric lower limb angular deformity
  Saran N, Rathjen KE Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2010 Sep 18 528-536
- Treatment of adolescent tibia vara with hemiepiphysiodesis: Risk factors for failure
  McIntosh AL, Hanson CM, Rathjen KE Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - Series A 2009 Dec 91 2873-2879
- B.S. Richards, S. Faulks, K.E. Rathjen, and L.A. Karol reply
  Richards BS, Faulks S, Rathjen KE, Karol LA Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - Series A 2009 Aug 91 2042-2043
- Prone thoracoscopic release does not adversely affect pulmonary function when added to a posterior spinal fusion for severe spine deformity
  Sucato DJ, Erken YH, Davis S, Gist T, McClung A, Rathjen KE Spine 2009 Apr 34 771-778
- Neuropathic lower extremity pain following dunn-mccarthy instrumentation
  Walick KS, King JT, Johnston CE, Rathjen KE Spine 2008 Nov 33 E877-E880
- A comparison of two nonoperative methods of idiopathic clubfoot correction: The Ponseti method and the French functional (physiotherapy) method
  Richards BS, Faulks S, Rathjen KE, Karol LA, Johnston CE, Jones SA Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery 2008 Nov 90 2313-2321
- Opinion survey regarding pediatric orthopaedic trauma call and emergency trauma management
  Scherl SA, Rathjen KE, Gerardi J, Kiefer G, Georgopoulos G, Murphy-Zane MS, Blasier RD, Schoenecker PL, Epps H Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2008 Jun 28 393-396
- Clinical and radiographic results after implant removal in idiopathic scoliosis
  Rathjen K, Wood M, McClung A, Vest Z Spine 2007 Sep 32 2184-2188
- Stainless steel flexible intramedullary fixation of unstable femoral shaft fractures in children
  Rathjen KE, Riccio AI, De La Garza D Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2007 Jun 27 432-441
- Definition and classification of negative motor signs in childhood
  Sanger TD, Chen D, Delgado MR, Gaebler-Spira D, Hallett M, Mink JW, Bastian A, Ben-Pazi H, Byl N, Cermak S, Chambers H, Chen R, Damiano D, Denckla M, Deuel R, DeWald JP, Fehlings DL, Fowler E, Garvey MA, Gormley M, Hurvitz E, Jenkins M, Kluzik J, Koman A, Kukke S, Lebiedowska M, Levin M, Matthews D, Michaels MB, Polatajko H, Rathjen K, Agramonte JR, Rymer WZ, Schieber M, Steinbok P, Sternad D, Taub E, Tilton A, Van Doornik J, Ward S, Wiznitzer M Pediatrics 2006 Nov 118 2159-2167
- Volkmann contracture and compartment syndromes after femur fractures in children treated with 90/90 spica casts
  Mubarak SJ, Frick S, Sink E, Rathjen K, Noonan KJ Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2006 Sep 26 567-572
- Mutations responsible for Larsen syndrome cluster in the FLNB protein.
  Zhang D, Herring JA, Swaney SS, McClendon TB, Gao X, Browne RH, Rathjen KE, Johnston CE, Harris S, Cain NM, Wise CA Journal of medical genetics 2006 May 43 e24
- Open iliac wing fracture caused by penetrating injury from a bicycle handlebar
  Krishnan SG, Rathjen KE Journal of orthopaedic trauma 2002 16 277-279
- Subtalar staple arthroereisis for planovalgus foot deformity in children with neuromuscular disease
  Sanchez AA, Rathjen KE, Mubarak SJ Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 1999 Jan 19 34-38
- Calcaneal-cuboid-cuneiform osteotomy for the correction of valgus foot deformities in children
  Rathjen KE, Mubarak SJ Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 1998 Nov 18 775-782

Research