Daniel Robert Rubio, MD, FACS, FAAOS
Assistant Professor of OrthopaedicsCards
About
Research
Publications
2025
Emergency Department Visits Within Ninety Days of Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression
Ratnasamy P, Jabbouri S, Maloy G, Varthi A, Rubio D, Grauer J. Emergency Department Visits Within Ninety Days of Endoscopic Lumbar Decompression. JAAOS Global Research And Reviews 2025, 9: e25.00009. PMID: 40828979, PMCID: PMC12366965, DOI: 10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-25-00009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEndoscopic lumbar decompressionED utilizationEmergency departmentED visitsLumbar decompressionElixhauser Comorbidity IndexRisk factorsMarker of quality of careFrequency of ED utilizationManagement of lumbar radiculopathyHigher Elixhauser comorbidity indexQuality of careQuality improvement initiativesAssociated with ED utilizationFemale sexEmergency department visitsLumbar decompression patientsPredictors of ED utilizationED utilization ratesBaseline rateComorbidity indexDay of surgeryConcomitant diagnosisHealthcare resource utilizationCare pathwaysPatients With Cystic Fibrosis Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Fusion Are at an Increased Odds of Perioperative Complications
Halperin S, Dhodapkar M, Gouzoulis M, Varthi A, Rubio D, Grauer J. Patients With Cystic Fibrosis Undergoing Posterior Lumbar Fusion Are at an Increased Odds of Perioperative Complications. JAAOS Global Research And Reviews 2025, 9: e24.00304. PMID: 40749196, PMCID: PMC12309916, DOI: 10.5435/jaaosglobal-d-24-00304.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPosterior lumbar fusionCystic fibrosisPostoperative outcomesLumbar fusionRevision rateOdds of perioperative complicationsAcute kidney injuryPerioperative risk assessmentMultivariate logistic regressionLumbar surgeryPerioperative outcomesPerioperative complicationsSpine surgeryRespiratory failureElixhauser Comorbidity IndexPleural effusionVenous thromboembolismKidney injuryAdverse eventsNinety-dayComorbidity indexEmergency department visitsMatched ControlsPatientsSurgical preparationThe incidence and trends of diving-related spine injuries in the United States and risk factors associated with spinal cord injury
Seddio A, Jabbouri S, Vasudevan R, Gouzoulis M, Day W, Maloy G, Varthi A, Rubio D, Grauer J. The incidence and trends of diving-related spine injuries in the United States and risk factors associated with spinal cord injury. Spinal Cord 2025, 63: 352-358. PMID: 40490487, DOI: 10.1038/s41393-025-01098-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchEstimated annual percentage changeSpine injuriesSpinal cord injuryRisk factorsLumbar spineInjury prevention programsAnnual percentage changePublic health initiativesCord injuryCervical spine surgeryMultivariate logistic regressionLog-linear regressionUnique risk factorsHealth initiativesUnited StatesCervical spondylolisthesisElixhauser Comorbidity IndexCervical spinePrevention programsAdministrative datasetsLogistic regressionSpine surgeryPercentage changeCervical stenosisOlder ageCervical radiculopathy management with physical, chiropractic, and acupuncture therapy: Factors associated with different therapy utilization patterns
Seddio A, Katsnelson B, Gouzoulis M, Jabbouri S, Jonnalagadda A, Day W, Rubio D, Grauer J. Cervical radiculopathy management with physical, chiropractic, and acupuncture therapy: Factors associated with different therapy utilization patterns. North American Spine Society Journal (NASSJ) 2025, 22: 100610. PMID: 40636516, PMCID: PMC12237794, DOI: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2025.100610.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAcupuncture therapyChiropractic therapyPhysical therapyCervical radiculopathyPredictors of CT utilizationUtilization patternsCervical spine pathologyFirst-time diagnosisLow comorbidity burdenMultivariate logistic regressionCare pathwaysDiagnose CRElixhauser Comorbidity IndexAT sessionsNonclinical predictorsSpine pathologyPotential inequalitiesLogistic regressionComorbidity burdenCT utilizationAcupunctureCR patientsMale sexDiagnosis of CRExclusion criteriaOutcomes following single level posterior lumbar fusion in patients with systemic and discoid lupus: A retrospective national database study
Dhodapkar M, Halperin S, Day W, Saifi C, Rubio D, Koumpouras F, Grauer J, Varthi A. Outcomes following single level posterior lumbar fusion in patients with systemic and discoid lupus: A retrospective national database study. North American Spine Society Journal (NASSJ) 2025, 22: 100604. PMID: 40487382, PMCID: PMC12141882, DOI: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2025.100604.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPosterior lumbar fusionSystemic lupus erythematosusDiscoid lupus erythematosusSingle-level posterior lumbar fusionPostoperative adverse eventsMinor adverse eventsAdverse eventsIncreased oddsLupus erythematosusLumbar fusionDiagnosis of discoid lupus erythematosusCohort of systemic lupus erythematosusLevel posterior lumbar fusionsMultivariate analysisDiagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosusDiscoid lupus erythematosus patientsUrinary tract infectionPerioperative adverse outcomesSurgical site infectionAcute kidney injuryDeep vein thrombosisNational database studyHistory of infectionSampled adult patientsMultivariate logistic regression
2024
Perioperative inpatient falls for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion patients are on the rise: risk factors associated with this “never event”
Seddio A, Jabbouri S, Gouzoulis M, Vasudevan R, Halperin S, Varthi A, Rubio D, Grauer J. Perioperative inpatient falls for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion patients are on the rise: risk factors associated with this “never event”. The Spine Journal 2024, 25: 911-920. PMID: 39631462, DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2024.11.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchInpatient fallsLength of stayMultivariate logistic regressionAnterior cervical discectomyInpatient ACDFElixhauser Comorbidity IndexMultidisciplinary fall prevention programAnnual incidenceRisk factorsInpatient fall preventionFall prevention programsLogistic regressionNational sample of patientsCervical discectomyNational Quality ForumSocioeconomically disadvantaged patientsHistory of dementiaUnderweight body mass indexACDF patientsObese BMI >Posterior cervical proceduresBody mass indexMulti-level ACDFAdult patientsQuality ForumInflammatory bowel disease is associated with greater odds of complications following posterior lumbar fusion and further amplified for patients exposed to monoclonal antibody biologics
Seddio A, Katsnelson B, Smith-Voudouris J, Gouzoulis M, Day W, Jabbouri S, Vasudevan R, Rubio D, Grauer J. Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with greater odds of complications following posterior lumbar fusion and further amplified for patients exposed to monoclonal antibody biologics. North American Spine Society Journal (NASSJ) 2024, 20: 100574. PMID: 39759221, PMCID: PMC11697407, DOI: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2024.100574.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPosterior lumbar fusionInflammatory bowel diseaseOdds ratioNational Inpatient SampleElixhauser Comorbidity IndexLumbar fusionBowel diseaseKaplan-Meier survival analysisEmergency departmentInflammatory bowel disease patientsLog-rank testMinor adverse eventsNon-IBD patientsIn-hospital dataMultivariate logistic regressionAssociated with greater oddsElevated odds ratiosReoperation rateSurgical complicationsSpine surgeryInferior outcomesPearlDiver databasePost-discharge outcomesAdult patientsAdverse eventsThe incidence, providers involved, and patient factors associated with diagnosis of specific lumbar spine pathology subsequent an initial nonspecific low back pain diagnosis
Seddio A, Jabbouri S, Gouzoulis M, Sanchez J, Day W, Varthi A, Rubio D, Grauer J. The incidence, providers involved, and patient factors associated with diagnosis of specific lumbar spine pathology subsequent an initial nonspecific low back pain diagnosis. The Spine Journal 2024, 25: 688-695. PMID: 39505011, DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2024.10.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLow back painPrimary care providersLow back pain diagnosisNS-LBPInternational Classification of DiseasesLumbar spine pathologyHistory of cancerSpecialty providersOpioid use disorderNonspecific low back painSpine pathologyBack pain diagnosisPCP providersFactors associated with diagnosisClassification of diseasesUse disorderLBP managementLBP symptomsNational administrative databaseCare providersBack painFamily medicineAdult patientsProvider specialtyPain diagnosisSemaglutide utilization associated with reduced 90-day postoperative complications following single-level posterior lumbar fusion for patients with type II diabetes
Seddio A, Gouzoulis M, Vasudevan R, Dhodapkar M, Jabbouri S, Varthi A, Rubio D, Grauer J. Semaglutide utilization associated with reduced 90-day postoperative complications following single-level posterior lumbar fusion for patients with type II diabetes. The Spine Journal 2024, 25: 485-493. PMID: 39491749, DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2024.10.011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSingle-level posterior lumbar fusionPosterior lumbar fusionSodium-glucose transport protein 2 inhibitorsAdverse eventsPostoperative complicationsT2DM patientsCurrent Procedural TerminologyElixhauser Comorbidity IndexED visitsLumbar fusionHospital readmissionEmergency departmentOdds of postoperative complicationsNinety-day postoperative complicationsImpact of semaglutideOdds of hospital readmissionMonths of surgeryRetrospective cohort studyPostoperative adverse eventsMinor adverse eventsType II diabetes mellitusRisk of type I errorDiagnosis of T2DMII diabetes mellitusYears of ageComparable Overall Risk of Neurological Adverse Events Following Cervicothoracic Interlaminar and Transforaminal Epidural Injections
Seddio A, McNamara K, Gouzoulis M, Jabbouri S, Vasudevan R, Day W, Ratnasamy P, Rubio D, Grauer J. Comparable Overall Risk of Neurological Adverse Events Following Cervicothoracic Interlaminar and Transforaminal Epidural Injections. Spine 2024, 50: 1273-1277. PMID: 39394649, DOI: 10.1097/brs.0000000000005181.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNeurological adverse eventsAdverse eventsElixhauser Comorbidity IndexNeurological complicationsOdds ratioEpidural spinal injectionsInterlaminar (ILTransforaminal epidural injectionsAssociated with specific complicationsTransforaminal (TFNerve root injuryRisk of complicationsAssociated with higher odds ratiosMultivariate logistic regressionRisk of neurological adverse eventsHigher odds ratioCervical pathologyEpidural hematomaTF injectionSpinal injectionEpidural injectionSpecific complicationsAdult patientsCase reportComorbidity index
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
Clinical Care
Overview
Daniel Rubio, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon and assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at Yale School of Medicine. He is co-medical director of the Spine Center at Yale New Haven Hospital and associate vice chair of clinical affairs in the Department of Orthopaedics at Yale School of Medicine.
He specializes in treating conditions of the neck and back, including spinal deformity, spine tumors and metastatic disease, spine trauma, infections of the spine, and degenerative conditions. He treats both adult and pediatric patients.
He received his Medical Doctorate from Drexel University where he graduated Alpha Omega Alpha. He completed Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine and Fellowship in Combined Neurosurgery/Orthopaedic Spine Surgery at Washington University in Saint Louis. He also completed the AO North America Spine Fellowship.
Dr. Rubio is actively involved in both clinical and basic science research. He holds a patent for a novel diagnostic test for neurodegenerative diseases, and has published research on various orthopaedic and spine conditions with an emphasis on optimizing patient outcomes. His research and that of his collaborators have been presented at regional, national, and international conferences. He teaches students and residents at Yale School of Medicine.
Dr. Rubio believes in a patient-centered approach to care including both surgical and non-surgical means to return his patients to a pain-free and active lifestyle. He sees patients at the Yale Spine Center (New Haven) and the Guilford Orthopaedic Surgery office location. He performs surgery at both Yale New Haven Hospital (York St.) and Yale-Saint Raphael Campus.
Clinical Specialties
Spine Surgery; Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation
Fact Sheets
Spinal Deformity
Learn More on Yale MedicineMinimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
Learn More on Yale MedicineMinimally Invasive Surgery
Learn More on Yale MedicineRobot-Assisted Heart Surgery
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Board Certifications
Orthopaedic Surgery
- Certification Organization
- AB of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Original Certification Date
- 2022
Yale Medicine News
News
News
- December 01, 2025Source: Yale Medicine
Compression Fractures, Strains, and Falls: How To Prevent Winter Back Injuries
- May 23, 2025
Eighteen Faculty Selected as Research All Stars by Avant-garde Health
- January 07, 2025Source: WTNH
Yale New Haven Health Check – Dr. Daniel Robert Rubio, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon on Preventing Back Injuries
- February 27, 2023Source: NBC Connecticut
Yale Doctors Explain How to Avoid Top Winter Injuries
Get In Touch
Contacts
Appointment Number
Mailing Address
Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation
P.O. Box 208071
New Haven, CT 06520-8071
United States
Administrative Support
Locations
Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation
Academic Office
47 College Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Patient Care Locations
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