Position: Head of the Department of Spinal Pathology and Bone Oncology at the R.R. Vreden National Medical Research Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics, head of the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Battlefield Medicine with a course in Dentistry at the North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov
Degree: DSc
Title: Professor
Education
In 1994, Dr. Ptashnikov has graduated from the I.I. Mechnikov Saint Petersburg State Medical Institute with specialization in medical care. Between 1994 and 1996, he trained as a clinical resident at the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Battlefield Medicine with a course in Dentistry at the same university, where in 1996 he joined a PhD program. In 1994, he trained at the Department of Pediatric Orthopedic at the Rome University Clinic (Rome, Italy); in 1996, at the Department of Orthopedics and Spinal Surgery of the Asklepios clinic (Birkenwerder, Germany). In 1999, he trained in correction of spinal deformations in children using the Keggy Orthopedic Foundation grant (Saint Paul, Minnesota, Iowa, Cincinnati, Yale University, USA) and under the sponsorship of the Soros Foundation (Salzburg, Austria). In 2004, he studied advanced technologies of dynamic stabilization of the spine through the Zimmer program (Zurich, Switzerland); in 2005, at the Spinal Surgery Clinic under Professor Jürgen Harms (Germany). In 2009, Dr. Ptashnikov studied advanced minimally invasive technologies in spinal surgery at the Guy’s and St Tomas NHS (London, UK) and completed a certification course EFFORT on correction of spinal deformations (Barcelona, Spain). In 2010, he completed a certification course on minimally invasive technologies in spinal surgery “MAST technologies Medtronic” (Switzerland). In 2011, he completed the Annual London Imperial Spine Course, Royal College of Surgeons (London, UK) and a certification course on minimally invasive technologies in spinal surgery Stryker (Moscow).
Dr. Ptashnikov holds a specialist certifications in neurosurgery, traumatology and orthopedics, and oncology.
Professional experience
Dr. Ptashnikov started his medical career in 1996 as a neurosurgeon at the R.R. Vreden National Medical Research Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics where between 2006 and 2009 he served as the head of the Department of Spinal Pathology. In 2009, he became the head of the Department of Spinal Pathology and Bone Oncology at the same center.
Dr. Ptashnikov’s scientific career started in 1999 when he became a researcher at the Department of Spinal Pathology and Bone Oncology at the R.R. Vreden National Medical Research Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics. In 2007, he became a leading researcher at the same department. Since 2015, Dr. Ptashkin serves as a scientific supervisor of the department. In 1999, Dr. Ptashnikov successfully defended his PhD thesis “Orthopedic principles of surgical treatment of osteochondrosis of the spine”; in 2006 – DSc dissertation “Reconstructive stabilizing interventions in combination treatment of spinal tumors.” In 2015 he received the title of Professor.
Dr. Ptashnikov’s teaching career is associated with the Department of Traumatology, Orthopedics and Battlefield Medicine with a course in Dentistry of the North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov. In 1999, he started working as a teaching assistant; in 2003, he became an associate professor; in 2006, full professor. In 2012, he became the head of the department. In 2011, he taught at the Federal Center of Medical High Technologies (Kazan). In 2012, he became a national teacher at the AO Spine, Zimmer Institute, Aesculap Academy et al.
Since 2016, he serves as the member of the board of the North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov.
Under Dr. Ptashnikov’s supervision the Department of Spinal Pathology and Bone Oncology annually performs more than 700 surgeries, more than 500 of which are considered high-tech medical care. The surgeries include minimally invasive and standard interventions in patients with spinal injuries, disorders, deformations, as well as tumors.
Publications
Dr. Ptashnikov regularly participates in professional meetings, including EFFORT (European Foundation of National Associations of Orthopedics and Traumatology) in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 (with a presentation), 2012 (with a presentation), 2013 (with a presentation), 2014 (with a presentation), 2015 (with a presentation); EANS (European Association of Neurosurgical Societies) in 2007 (with a presentation); 2010 (with a presentation); 2011 (with a presentation), 2013 (with a presentation); AAOS (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons) in 2009 and 2010; Eurospine in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014 (with a presentation), GlobalSpine in 2013 (with a presentation), 2015 (with a presentation); IMAST in 2013, 2014, 2015 (with a presentation).
Memberships in professional medical organizations
In 1995–1996, Dr. Ptashnikov served as a vice-president of the Saint-Petersburg Association of Medical Students. Since 2010, he serves as the member of the board of the Russian Association of Vertebral Surgeons. In 2014, he became a vice-chairman of the Russian Association of Vertebral Surgeons.
