photo of Celeste Abjornson, PhD

Celeste Abjornson, PhD

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About Dr. Abjornson

Research

Dr. Celeste Abjornson is director of the Integrated Spine Research Program (ISRP), which was formed in 2009 with the strategic mission of developing and applying novel therapies and technologies to treat chronic degenerative conditions of the spine by performing basic and translational research that will provide better clinical interventions in the future. Through close collaborations between the scientists, clinician-scientists, and clinicians, high-impact research is being performed to find new perspectives to the field. It is complementary to the clinical goals of HSS Spine.

The spine laboratories focus on basic and translational research in three major areas: biologic agents and therapies for spinal surgery, non-fusion technologies, and bioactive coatings. The complementary nature of the research themes between pre-clinical and clinical programs strive to improve patient care by advancing ideas from concept to clinical practice.

Specialized Centers

Integrated Spine Research Program

Credentials

Appointments

Assistant Scientist, Hospital for Special Surgery
Director, Integrated Spine Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery

Awards

International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery Best Paper Awards Finalist, 2016
Cervical Spine Research Society – European Section, Best Poster Award, 2013
International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, Young Investigator's Award, 2013
Cervical Spine Research Society – Asia Pacific Section, Best Podium Award, 2013
Founders' Award, 2012
Whitecloud Basic Science Award Finalist, 2010
New Investigator Research Award Finalist, Orthopaedic Research Society, 2003
NIH Training grant award (T32), 2001
Marion Wilson Award, 1997
Patricia Harris Foundation Award, 1994

Languages

English

Publications by Dr. Abjornson

Selected Books/Chapters

Abjornson C, Lane JM. "Bone Graft Substitutes." in American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Monograft, 2005.

Kepler C, Lebl DR, Abjornson C, Cammisa FP. "Osteoporosis in the Lumbar Fusion Patient" in "eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion, 2E", 2012

Abjornson C, Yoon BJ, Lane JM. "The Use of Allografts as Bone Graft Substitutes" Bone Graft Substitutes and Bone Regenerative Engineering, ASTM Publication MONO6, 2nd Edition, 2013.

Kepler CK, Peterson MD, Lebl DR, Abjornson C, Cammisa FP Jr: "Chapter 12: Management of the Osteoporotic Spine" in eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF®) 2nd Edition. (Editors: J. Allan Goodrich, M.D. and Ildemaro J. Volcan, M.D.). Quality Medical Publishing, Inc., 2013.

Xavier F, Walker B, Callanan T, Grinberg S, Victor Yoon BJ, Abjornson C, Cammisa FP Jr.: "Chapter 25: Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Review of the Current Clinical Outcomes of Different Supplement Fixation Techniques" in Lateral Access Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Springer Publishers, New York, NY, 2017.

Selected Presentations

Taher F, Lebl DR, Wright TM, Abjornson C: "Laser Surface Topography to Assess Wear and Deformation in Retrieved Total Disc Replacements" American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Chicago, IL March 19-23, 2013

Seethala R, Kiely PD, Taher F, Abjornson C, O'Leary PF: "No Neurological Deficits Using a Bilateral Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Approach and a Novel Low Profile, Expandable Interbody Device" Mid-America Orthopaedic Association. Amelia Island, FL April 17-21, 2013.

Zhang K, Kiely PD, Taher F, Brecevich A, Cammisa FP, Abjornson C, Cunningham ME: "Experimental Lumbar Spine Fusion with Beta Tricalcium Phosphate Ceramic Composite Graft and Bone Marrow Aspirate" Mid-America Orthopaedic Association. Amelia Island, FL April 17-21, 2013.

Lebl DR, Taher F, Cammisa FP, Wright T, Abjornson C: "Topographic 3D Laser Surface Analysis of Wear and Deformation of Retrieved Total Disc Replacements" Awarded Best Podium Presentation Cervical Spine Research Society – Asia Pacific Section. Seoul, Korea April 2013.

Schroeder JE, Brecevich AT, Abjornson C, Cammisa FP: "Platelet Rich Fibrin Matrix in Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion" Scoliosis Research Society. Anchorage, Alaska September 2014.

Abjornson C, Callanan T, Yoon V, Cammisa FP: "Occult Infections in Patients Undergoing Revision Surgery" EuroSpine. Copenhagen, Denmark September 2015.

Lebl DR, Callanan TC, Cammisa FP, Abjornson C: "Can Occult Infection be Demonstrated in the Setting of Pain in Patients Who Have Undergone Spinal Surgery?" Best Poster: Spine American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting. Orlando, Florida March 2016

Abjornson C, Yoon VJ, Grinberg S, Cammisa FP: "Spinal Stenosis in the Absence of Spondylolisthesis: Can Interlaminar Stabilization at Single and Multi-levels Provide Sustainable Relief?" Best Paper Awards Finalist International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS). Las Vegas, Nevada April 2016.

Yoon BJ, Shein D, Grinberg S, Cammisa F, Abjornson C: "Spinal Stenosis in the Absence of Spondylolisthesis: Can Interlaminar Stabilization at Single and Multi-levels Provide Sustainable Relief?" Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS) Annual Meeting. Chicago, Illinois April 2016.

Yoon BV, Cammisa FP, Abjornson C: "Polishing Less a Factor in Cell Adhesion Than Roughness of Titanium Plasma Spray Coatings on PEEK" SpineWeek. International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine(ISSLS). Singapore May 2016.

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

One of the goals of HSS is to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology, and related disciplines for the benefit of patients. Research staff at HSS may collaborate with outside companies for education, research and medical advances. HSS supports this collaboration in order to foster medical breakthroughs; however, HSS also believes that these collaborations must be disclosed.

As part of the disclosure process, this website lists Research staff collaborations with outside companies if the Research staff member received any payment during the prior year or expects to receive any payment in the next year. The disclosures are based on information provided by the Research staff and other sources and are updated regularly. Current ownership interests and leadership positions are also listed. Further information may be available on individual company websites.

Below are the healthcare industry relationships reported by Dr. Abjornson as of March 28, 2023.

  • Camber Spine Tech - Consultant; Advisory Board
  • Centinel Spine, Inc. - Consultant
  • Orthobond Corporation - Advisory Board; Ownership Interest
  • Surgalign - Advisory Board

By disclosing the collaborations of HSS Research staff with industry on this website, HSS and its Research staff make this information available to patients and the public, thus creating a transparent environment for those who are interested in this information. Further, the HSS Conflicts of Interest Policy does not permit payment of royalties on products developed by him/her that are used on patients at HSS.

Feel free to ask the Research staff member about their relationship(s).

Dr. Abjornson in the News

    • Healio featuring Celeste Abjornson, PhD

    • At this year’s American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting, held March 7 to 11 in Las Vegas, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) presented new research on a variety of topics in orthopedic surgery, including studies related to minimally invasive surgery, racial disparities, and opioid alternatives for pain management in spine care.

      What follows are some highlights from the meeting:

      Intravenous versus Oral Administration of Acetaminophen Perioperative to Instrumented Lumbar Fusion: A Single-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial

      In patients undergoing certain orthopedic surgeries, giving intravenous (IV) acetaminophen for pain relief has been shown to have fewer side effects and potentially lower risk than opioids but is associated with higher costs than oral acetaminophen. In this single-center, randomized controlled trial, investigators led by Darren R. Lebl, MD, MBA, and Celeste Abjornson, PhD, prospectively evaluated clinical outcomes of IV versus oral acetaminophen after circumferential lumbar fusion. One hundred patients between the ages of 18-85 were randomly assigned to one of the two groups (50 in each) and were included in the study. There was a specific dosing regimen that started within the three hours prior to surgery and continued for the next 48 hours. Patients were able to access supplemental opioid analgesics as needed. The researchers found that morphine consumption was significantly lower for the IV acetaminophen group compared with the oral acetaminophen group within the first 48 hours post-operatively. The average daily morphine usage after 48 hours for those who received the IV acetaminophen regimen was also significantly lower. The research suggests that IV acetaminophen is a safe and effective supplement to opioid-based pain management after surgery, and that it provides a promising option for pain control.

      Authors: Gregory Paschal; Fedan Avrumova; Philip Paschal; Ellen M. Soffin, MD, PhD; Joseph Nguyen; Federico P. Girardi, MD; Andrew A. Sama, MD; Frank P. Cammisa Jr., MD; Darren R. Lebl, MD, MBA; Celeste Abjornson, PhD, (HSS)

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      Racial Disparities in Outpatient Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion and Cervical Disc Replacement

      Recent reports have suggested disparities within cervical spine surgery, including lower utilization rates and worse perioperative outcomes for Black patients. In this retrospective cohort study, a team led by HSS resident Troy B. Amen sought to assess whether these disparities also exist for outpatient cervical spine surgery. Using data collected by the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program between 2010 and 2019, the team looked at patients who underwent primary anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or cervical disc replacement (CDR) and stratified them by race and ethnicity. They categorized procedures as inpatient or outpatient based on length of stay. They found that, overall, Black patients were significantly less likely to undergo ACDF (5.9%, vs. 10.6% of white patients) as well as CDR (19.9%, vs. 26.1% of white patients) as outpatients. Between 2010 and 2019, these disparities increased, even when adjusting for other factors. The findings highlight the need for renewed intervention by orthopedic surgeons and policymakers to address inequalities in outpatient care.

      Authors: Troy B. Amen; Patawut Bovonratwet, (HSS); Samuel S. Rudisill (Rush Medical College); Lauren Barber; Yusef Jordan, (HSS); Abhinaba Chatterjee (Weill Cornell Medicine); Jung Kee Mok (UNC Chapel Hill); Nathan Varady; Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, MBA (HSS)

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      Improving Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Ambulatory Surgical Center Utilization for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

      Although racial and ethnic disparities within the field of spine surgery have been documented, the link between the recent emergence of ambulatory surgical centers and access to these procedures in the outpatient setting isn’t known. A study led by HSS resident Troy B. Amen sought to assess disparities in the use of these outpatient surgical centers among white, Black, and Hispanic patients having spine surgery. The investigators also looked at how racial differences have changed between 2015 and 2018. Using data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project New York State Ambulatory Database, the researchers looked at differences in same-day discharges in patients having anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). They found that during this time, Black and Hispanic patients were significantly less likely to undergo ACDF surgery at an ambulatory center compared with white patients, but that these disparities lessened over time. They note that these improvements are encouraging and may help counteract previously documented disparities in spine surgery in the inpatient setting, although additional research is needed to confirm that.

      Authors: Troy B. Amen, (HSS); Abhinaba Chatterjee (Weill Cornell Medicine); Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, MBA (HSS)

      Predictors of Non-improvement After Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spine Surgery

      Minimally invasive surgery of the lumbar spine is associated with good clinical outcomes, but a small number of patients may not improve, or may even worsen, after this surgery. A study led by HSS research fellow Junho Song sought to identify predictors of patients who are not likely to improve. The study included 448 patients who underwent minimally invasive transforaminal interbody fusion, laminectomy, or microdiscectomy at HSS between 2017 and 2021. At follow-up of at least six months after surgery, the patients were categorized as better, the same, or worse. A total of 66 patients reported no significant improvement; among these, 35 patients reported worsening after surgery, and the rest reported no change. Patients who did not fare as well were more likely to be older or obese. The researchers found that smoking was also a factor for those who didn’t do as well, likely due to changes in metabolic systems and local vasculature caused by tobacco use. The investigators say these findings provide valuable evidence that may be useful for improving the selection of patients to undergo minimally invasive spine surgery. They may also help to establish clearer patient expectations for those undergoing this procedure.

      Authors: Junho Song; Pratyush Shahi; Kasra Araghi; Robert Kamil; Dimitra Melissaridou; Sidhant Singh Dalal (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences); Daniel Shinn; Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, MBA; Sravisht Iyer, MD (HSS)

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      Robotics Reduces Radiation Exposure in Minimally Invasive Lumbar Fusion Compared to Navigation

      For minimally invasive spine surgery, navigation and robotics technologies have helped reduce surgeons’ exposure to ionizing radiation. Studies have compared radiation exposure during surgery using robotics or navigation to procedures using traditional fluoroscopy, but none have compared robotics and navigation to each other. This study compared the two techniques in terms of fluoroscopy time and radiation dose for minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MI-TLIF). The study included 111 patients in the robotics cohort and 133 patients in the navigation cohort. The investigators, led by HSS research fellow Pratyush Shahi, found that for both one- and two-level TLIFs, the fluoroscopy time for surgical procedure, total fluoroscopy time, and total radiation dose were significantly less with robotics compared to navigation. For one-level TLIFs, the overall time of radiation exposure was also lower.  Overall, time in the operating room was similar, with robotic procedures lasting longer but requiring less time for setup and image capture. Based on these findings, the investigators say robotic surgery leads to a significant reduction in radiation exposure both for the surgeon and the patient compared to navigation, but multicenter prospective trials are needed to confirm these findings.

      Authors: Pratyush Shahi, Sidhant Singh Dalal (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences); Junho Song; Daniel Shinn; Robert Kamil; Kasra Araghi; Sheeraz Qureshi, MD, MBA (HSS)

    • Reuters Health featuring Celeste Abjornson, PhD