Meet Todd F. VanderHeiden, MD

Dr. Todd F. VanderHeiden is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center specializing in spinal disorders. As a Colorado native, he feels a special calling to serve his local community and has dedicated his career to providing exceptional spinal care.

Dr. VanderHeiden’s expertise focuses on the most complex and challenging areas of spinal surgery, including spinal trauma cases. His personal experience with debilitating nerve pain from a basketball injury, which was successfully treated through spinal surgery, gives him unique insight into what patients experience and motivates his commitment to helping others reclaim their lives through surgical intervention.

Dr. VanderHeiden places the highest value on patient care and promises to give everything in his power to ensure good outcomes for his patients. He genuinely cares for his patients like family members and gives all of his focus and attention to their results. His patient care philosophy is driven by his understanding that spinal surgery can be life-changing, as it was for him personally.

Outside of medicine, Dr. VanderHeiden stays active through big-mountain and helicopter skiing, hiking Colorado 14ers, longboard skateboarding, cross-training, and enjoying outdoor adventures like hiking, zip lining, and cliff jumping with his wife and two daughters, Alice and Matilda.

Education/Training

Undergraduate

  • University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 1995-1999
  • Bachelor of Arts, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology (Honors)
  • Minor: Biochemistry

Medical School

  • University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO 2000-2004

Residency

  • University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver, CO 2005-2009
  • Orthopaedic Surgery

Fellowship

  • Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center, Golden, CO 2009-2010
  • Spinal Surgery

Honors & Memberships

  • 5280 Top Doctor
  • Colonel Allan Bucknell, Excellence in Resident Teaching Award, University of Colorado School of Medicine (2017)
  • Denver Health “Shark Tank” Team Award (2013)
  • Denver Health Colorado “PEAK” Award (2013, 2014, 2015)
  • Denver Health STAR Award (2013, multiple)
  • Denver Health Clinician of the Year Nominee (2012–2016)
  • Senior Orthopaedic Surgery Resident-of-the-Year (2008–2009)
  • Administrative Chief Orthopaedic Resident (2008–2009)
  • Spine Interactive Education Program (IEP) National Award: Top 5 Fellow Case-Presentation (2010)

Certifications

  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Board Certified
  • Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)

Quick Facts

Todd F. VanderHeiden, MD Quick Facts

Specialties

Expertise

  • Spinal trauma, degenerative spine disease, and deformity
  • Minimally invasive spine surgery
  • Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Former Chief of Spinal Surgery, Denver Health Medical Center
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Locations

Recognition

Working with Dr. VanderHeiden

Meet Dr. VanderHeiden

Dr. VanderHeiden's Reviews

Gretchen Godfrey
May 24, 2026

Dr. Vanderheiden is an excellent spine surgeon and I would recommend him to future patients. My 7 hour surgery included straightening my scoliosis, eliminating sciatica, and he took care of my stenosis. He clearly explains his diagnosis and what nee…

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Ed Rodriguez
May 23, 2026

Doctor VanderHeiden was excellent. He listened, he was truly a doctor who showed he was concerned and his feedback was very organized so even I could understand. An overall really nice experience!

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Tony N
April 25, 2026

I have always been active in competitive and recreational sports and outdoor activities from an early age. I learned to live with the pain as I grew older but after several years of that worsening and with the onset of leg and foot numbness in day-to…

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Deb Christmann
April 24, 2026

I respect Dr V’s preparation and dedication. My surgery is coming up in about 3 weeks.

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Mary Ann Elliott
April 10, 2026

I had a spinal fusion from my C-7 thru the T-2. Dr. VanderHeiden and the team at Ortho Colorado Hospital treated me with the upmost respect. I felt like a priority and not just another surgery procedure to get done. I didn’t realize how limited my mo…

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Stephanie Ehret
April 10, 2026

Dr. VanderHeiden is an incredible spinal surgeon. He has helped me tremendously dealing with 2 complicated spinal injuries post car accident. He gives excellent service & care as well as being extremely thorough explaining diagnoses. 10 out of 10 rec…

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Resources

VIDEO

Sheila’s Story of a Microdiscectomy with Dr. Vanderheiden

VIDEO

Panorama Livestream: Spine

VIDEO

Paralyzed from a Mountain Biking Accident – Matt’s Story of Miraculous Recovery