Spine Chief, Orthopaedic Spine Service Director, Adult Spinal Deformity & Spinal Reconstruction Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Stuart Hershman is chief of the orthopaedic spine service at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Director of Adult Spinal Deformity and Complex Spinal Reconstruction. He is board-certified and specializes in complex cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine disorders. He has a particular interest in the treatment of spinal deformity and reconstruction, revision spine surgery, surgery of the osteoporotic spine and cervical myelopathy.
Dr. Hershman earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his MD from the Drexel University College of Medicine. He then completed his orthopaedic residency at the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City. He continued his specialization in spine by completing the world-renowned fellowship in complex spine and spinal deformity surgery at Washington University in St. Louis. While there, he trained in all facets of spine surgery including adult and pediatric spinal deformity, degenerative conditions, tumor and trauma.
After practicing for four years in South Florida, Dr. Hershman was recruited to Mass General to help build the complex spine and spinal deformity program. Through his research and clinical practice, he has helped to advance the field and improve surgical outcomes in complicated and difficult to treat patients. Dr. Hershman is an active member of several international research organizations including the prestigious Cervical Spine Research Society, the Scoliosis Research Society, the North American Spine Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. He currently is involved in multiple ongoing research studies and serves as the principal investigator on multiple projects. Dr. Hershman has published more than 70 peer-reviewed papers, and his research has been presented both nationally and internationally.
Orthopaedic Spine Service 55 Fruit St. Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care Suite 3A Boston, MA02114 Phone: 617-724-8636
Medical Education
MD, Drexel University College of Medicine
Residency, New York University School of Medicine
Fellowship, Washington University
American Board Certifications
Orthopaedic Surgery, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Accepted Insurance Plans
Aetna
Beech Street
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
Cigna
Commonwealth Care Alliance
Coventry
Fallon Health
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Humana
Maine Community Health Options
Mass General Brigham Health Plan
MassHealth
Medicaid ME
Medicaid NH
Medicaid RI
Medicaid VT
Medicare
Medicare ACO
Multiplan
Railroad Medicare
Senior Whole Health
TriCare
Tufts Health Plan
United Health Care
Wellpoint
WellSense
WellSense NH
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Research
Dr. Hershman participates in both clinical and basic science research. His primary interests are in post-surgical outcomes following cervical, lumbar, and thoracolumbar spinal deformity surgery. In addition, he has a particular interest in the surgical management of osteoporotic patients. He has investigated the results of numerous surgical techniques in an effort to minimize post-operative complications and post-operative pain following common and complex spinal procedures. Dr. Hershman’s research has been nominated for the prestigious Whitecloud Award and Hibbs Award by the Scoliosis Research Society.
Publications
Select publications:
Hershman SH, Hochfelder J, Dean L, Yaszay B, Lonner BS. Spondylolisthesis in Operative Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Prevalence and Results of Surgical Intervention. Spine Deformity. 2013 Volume 1(4) 280-6.
Cunningham M. Hershman SH. Bendo J. Systematic Review of Cohort Studies Comparing Surgical Treatments for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy. Spine. 35(5): 537-4, 2010 Mar.
Mesfin A, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Fogelson JF, Hershman SH, Kim HJ, Koester L. Does Preoperative Narcotic Use Persist After Spinal Deformity Surgery? A Comparison of Non-Narcotic and Narcotic Using Groups. The Spine Journal. 2012 12(9); S18-S19
Kim HJ, Bridwell KH, Lenke LG, Park MS, Hershman SH, Mesfin A. Proximal Junctional Kyphosis Results in Inferior SRS Pain Sub-Scores in Adult Deformity Patients. The Spine Journal. 2012 12(9); S6
Mesfin A, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Fogelson J, Hershman SH, Kim HJ, Koester L. Weight Change and Clinical Outcomes Following Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery in Overweight and Obese Patients. Spine Deformity. 2013 Volume 1(5) 377-81.
Kim HJ, Lenke LG, Oshima Y, Chuntarapas T, Mesfin A, Hershman SH, Fogelson JL, Riew KD. Cervical Lordosis Actually Increases with Aging and Progressive Degeneration in Spinal Deformity Patients. Spine Deformity. 2014 Volume 2(5) 410-414.
Reviews: Comments and Ratings
4.8out of 5(142 Ratings, 67 Comments)
February 2025
Very impressive knowledge of my type of injury and what to do about it. Put me at ease when I asked questions.
February 2025
I am excited and very impressed with how knowledgeable Dr. Hershman is. Looking forward to my surgery. Thank you.
February 2025
I was really impressed with Dr. Hershman. The whole office experience was very positive and everything was perfectly on time, which was also really awesome. Thank you.
February 2025
Was a second opinion and I found Dr. Hershman to be so much better than my original doc. He listened to me and clearly explained my orthopedic issue and its causes. He was extremely knowledgeable in answering my many questions. What more could I ask for!
February 2025
Dr. Hershman was very thorough and went over my x-rays and MRI with me. Covering with me each to area of my back we were discussing and what was going on in those areas. What results I experienced in the past. He laid out a diagnostic plan and explained that. I have never felt so much confidence in a Dr. From and initial appointment. I will ... Read More
Dr. Hershman was very thorough and went over my x-rays and MRI with me. Covering with me each to area of my back we were discussing and what was going on in those areas. What results I experienced in the past. He laid out a diagnostic plan and explained that. I have never felt so much confidence in a Dr. From and initial appointment. I will definitely be recommending him!
February 2025
Dr. Hershman is an Outstanding physician communicator and listener. First time seeing him. Extremely competent and knowledgeable. Not rushed at all. Explained everything in a detailed and thoughtful manner. I am a physician and no a superstar when I encounter one. Highly recommend.
January 2025
He explained everything very clearly.
January 2025
Explained thoroughly what was going on in my spine comparing MRI and X-ray. Took time with me to answer questions. Explained I am a high risk for infection for surgery and spine is going to fuse together in time so pain will go away. I liked him a lot. Finally found someone to tell me what was going to happen to me.
January 2025
Felt not all tests were discussed. [redacted]
January 2025
He is great .he explained my health issues .and how he can fix it.
Diagnosed with scoliosis as a teenager, when Amy entered her 50s she began experiencing extreme pain due to the scoliosis. Dr. Stuart Hershman, and his team at the Orthopaedic Spine Center, have Amy on the path to recovery.
IN THIS ARTICLE: Less invasive spine procedures can reduce adverse events and improve clinical outcomes. Such surgeries take advantage of new imaging technologies and protocols.
Diagnosed with scoliosis as a teenager, when Amy entered her 50s she began experiencing extreme pain due to the scoliosis. Dr. Stuart Hershman, and his team at the Orthopaedic Spine Center, have Amy on the path to recovery.
IN THIS ARTICLE: Less invasive spine procedures can reduce adverse events and improve clinical outcomes. Such surgeries take advantage of new imaging technologies and protocols.
Diagnosed with scoliosis as a teenager, when Amy entered her 50s she began experiencing extreme pain due to the scoliosis. Dr. Stuart Hershman, and his team at the Orthopaedic Spine Center, have Amy on the path to recovery.
IN THIS ARTICLE: Less invasive spine procedures can reduce adverse events and improve clinical outcomes. Such surgeries take advantage of new imaging technologies and protocols.
Very impressive knowledge of my type of injury and what to do about it. Put me at ease when I asked questions.
I am excited and very impressed with how knowledgeable Dr. Hershman is. Looking forward to my surgery. Thank you.
I was really impressed with Dr. Hershman. The whole office experience was very positive and everything was perfectly on time, which was also really awesome. Thank you.
Was a second opinion and I found Dr. Hershman to be so much better than my original doc. He listened to me and clearly explained my orthopedic issue and its causes. He was extremely knowledgeable in answering my many questions. What more could I ask for!
Dr. Hershman was very thorough and went over my x-rays and MRI with me. Covering with me each to area of my back we were discussing and what was going on in those areas. What results I experienced in the past. He laid out a diagnostic plan and explained that. I have never felt so much confidence in a Dr. From and initial appointment. I will ... Read More
Dr. Hershman is an Outstanding physician communicator and listener. First time seeing him. Extremely competent and knowledgeable. Not rushed at all. Explained everything in a detailed and thoughtful manner. I am a physician and no a superstar when I encounter one. Highly recommend.
He explained everything very clearly.
Explained thoroughly what was going on in my spine comparing MRI and X-ray. Took time with me to answer questions. Explained I am a high risk for infection for surgery and spine is going to fuse together in time so pain will go away. I liked him a lot. Finally found someone to tell me what was going to happen to me.
Felt not all tests were discussed. [redacted]
He is great .he explained my health issues .and how he can fix it.