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Robert Merrill, MD
Specialties
SpineLocated In
Danbury, Wilton
- ql-locations, ql-background, ql-reviews
About
Robert Merrill, MD, is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon who specializes in all aspects of non-surgical and surgical care of the adult and pediatric spine. Dr. Merrill treats conditions of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine including traumatic spinal injuries, spinal deformity, tumors, infection, and degenerative spine conditions.
Dr. Merrill always takes an initial conservative treatment approach including physical therapy, medication, and injections before recommending surgery. When surgery is necessary, he often uses advanced surgical techniques including minimally invasive approaches, operative navigation, and robotics. He values working with his patients to formulate an individualized treatment plan based on the patient’s goals, occupation, and lifestyle.
Dr. Merrill has conducted extensive clinical and basic science research around intervertebral disc degeneration, minimally invasive spine surgery techniques, and adult spinal deformity surgery. Evidence based medicine is central to his approach in caring for patients with any form of spinal pathology.
He received his medical degree from Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS) and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. Dr. Merrill went on to complete a fellowship in spinal surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
In his free time, Dr. Merrill enjoys staying active and spending time with his wife and young son.
Aetna
- Commercial Plans (Including APCN Plus, We do not accept regular APCN)
- Managed Medicare
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of CT
- Commercial and Exchange
- Managed Medicare
Blue Cross Blue Shield (Plans Outside CT)
- Cards with the “PPO” inside the suitcase logo
CarePartners of Connecticut
- Managed Medicare (HMO/PPO)
Cigna
- Commercial, MetroNY, and LocalPlus
- Cigna+Oscar, Cigna+MVP (CT Locations Only)
ConnectiCare
- Commercial and Exchange (Except “Value” Network)
- Managed Medicare
Connecticut Medicaid
Connecticut State Workers’ Compensation
EmblemHealth
- Emblem Commercial and Exchange (Except for Millennium and Enhanced Care Prime Networks)
- Managed Medicare (VIP Prime, Bold, Reserve)
Harvard Pilgrim
- Through United Shared Services – ONS Harrison location only.
Medicare (Including Railroad Medicare)
Oxford
- Liberty and Freedom Plans
Tricare
UHC/NYSHIP/NY Government Empire Plan
United Healthcare
- All Commercial Plans (Except Indemnity and Compass)
- Managed Medicare
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists (ONS) accepts most major insurance plans. Please see the list of accepted insurance plans above and confirm that ONS participates with your plan prior to scheduling an appointment. Certain insurance plans are limited to specific regions and physicians. If you have additional questions, please call our offices at (203) 869-1145 ext. 279 and our team will be happy to provide additional information.
Locations
Fellowship
Fellowship in Spinal Surgery: Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY
Medical School
Doctor of Medicine: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York, NY
Residency
Residency in Orthopaedic Surgery: Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
College
Bachelor of Science: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts – Published & In Press
- Kazarian GS, Lovecchio F, Merrill R, Clohisy J, Zhang B, Du J, Jordan Y, Pajak A, Knopp R, Kim D, Samuel J, Elysee J, Akosman I, Shahi P, Johnson M, Schwab FJ, Lafage V, Kim HJ. Why didn’t you walk yesterday? Factors associated with slow early recovery after adult spinal deformity surgery. Global Spine J. 2023
- Nakarai H, Lovecchio FC, Kim DN, Zhang B, Clohisy JK, Merrill RK, Pajak A, Du J, Kazarian GS, Kaidi AC, Samuel JT, Knopp RL, Kim HJ. The Association of Lumbar Plexus Lengthening with Neurologic Deficit After Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery. Spine (Phila PA 1976). 2023
- Maayan O…Merrill RK…Qureshi SA. Ninety Percent of Patients are Satisfied with their Decision to Undergo Spine Surgery for Degenerative Conditions. Spine (Phila PA 1976). 2023
- Araghi K, Subramanian T, Haque N, Merrill R, Shahi P, Maayan O, Sheha E, Dowdell J, Iyer S, Qureshi S. Provider Referral Patterns and Surgical Utilization Among New Patients Seen in Spine Clinic. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2023;48(12)
- Subramanian T, Merrill RK, Shahi P, Pathania S, Aragi K, Maayan O, Zhao E, Shinn D, Kim A, Kamil R, Song J, Dalal SS, Vaishnav AS, Othman Y, Steinhaus ME, Sheha ED, Dowdell JE, Iyer S, Qureshi SA. Predictors, Rates of Subisdence, and Clinical Outcomes Following Expandable Cage Insertion for MI-TLIF. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2023
- Araghi K, Fourman MS, Merrill RK, Maayan O, Zhao , Pajak A, Subramanain T, Kim DN, Kamil R, Shahi P, Dowdell JE, Sheha D, Iyer S, Qureshi SA. Postoperative Radiculitis After L5-S1 Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion. Spine (Phila PA 1976). 2023
- Merrill RK, Clohisy JC, Albert TJ, Qureshi SA. Concepts and Techniques in Preventing Cervical Deformity After Spine Surgery. Neurospine. 2023;20(1)
- Merrill RK, Ishmael TG, Samdani AF, Hwang SW, Pahys JM, Severe Cervical Kyphosis and Spondyloptosis with Myelopathy in Larsen Syndrome: A Report of Two Cases. Submitted to JBJS Case Connector March 2021
- Merrill RK, Ibrahim JM, Machi AS, Raphael JS. Analysis and Review of Automated Risk Calculators Used to Predict Post-Operative Complications After Orthopedic Surgery. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2020; 13(3):298-308
- Merrill RK, Low SL, Arvind V, Whitaker CM, Illical EM. Length of Stay and 30-day Readmissions After Humeral Shaft Fracture Open Reduction and Internal Fixation Compared to Intramedullary Nailing. Injury. 2020; 51(4):942-946
- Thompson J, Merrill RK, Qureshi SA, Leven DM. Compression of the S1 Nerve Root by an Extradural Vascular Malformation: A Case Report and Discussion of Atypical Causes of Lumbar Radiculopathy. Int J Spine Surg. 2020.14(1):96-101
- Merrill RK, Turvey BR, Landfair GL, Illical EM. Annual Case Volume Is a Risk Factor for 30-day Unplanned Readmission After Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Acetabular Fractures. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2020;106(1):103-108
- Vaishnav AS, Merrill RK, Sandhu H, McAnany SJ, Iyer Sravisht, Gang GH, Albert T, Qureshi SA. A Review of Techniques, Time-demand, Radiation Exposure and Outcomes of Skin-Anchored Intra-operative 3D Navigation in Minimally Invasive Lumbar Spinal Surgery. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2020;45(8):E465-E476
- Merrill RK, Ferrandino RM, Hoffman R, Shaffer GW, Ndu A. Machine Learning Accurately Predicts Short-Term outcomes Following Open Reduction and Internal Fixation of Ankle Fractures. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2019;58(3):410-416
- Merrill RK, Ferrandino RM, Hoffman R, Ndu A, Shaffer GW. Identifying Risk Factors for 30-Day Readmissions Following Triple Arthrodesis Surgery. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2019;58(1):109-113
- Overley SC, McAnany SJ, Anwar MA, Merrill RK, Lovy A, Guzman J, Zhadanov S, Doshi A, Rothenberg E, Qureshi SA. Predictive Factors and Rates of Fusion in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Utilizing rhBMP-2 or Mesenchymal Stem Cells. International Journal of Spine Surgery. 2019;13(1):46-52
