About Dr. DePalma

Michael J. DePalma, MD- Interventional Spine Specialist in Richmond, Virginia

Dr. DePalma is President and Medical Director of Virginia iSpine Physicians where he practices Interventional Spine Care. Dr. DePalma earned his bachelors of science degree in neuroscience with magna cum laude and certificate in foundations of medicine from the Honors College of the University of Pittsburgh in 1995. After earning his medical degree cum laude from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1999, Dr. DePalma completed his residency in the highly regarded department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at The Ohio State University Medical Center. He was appointed as Academic Chief Resident during his senior year of residency training during which he played a vital role in recruiting internationally recognized spine experts as guest speakers. Dr. DePalma completed his specialized Interventional Spine Care training during a fellowship year at the internationally renowned Penn Spine Center of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 2004.

In 2004, Dr. DePalma moved to Richmond, VA to help develop the Sheltering Arms Spine Clinic and was subsequently appointed the Medical Directorship role at the VCU Spine Center in 2007. In 2011, Dr. DePalma established Virginia iSpine Physicians and the Virginia Spine Research Institute in order to optimally dispense Interventional Spine Care and pursue innovative spine research.

Dr. DePalma has authored or co-authored over 80 articles and abstracts in peer reviewed journals, 8 textbook chapters, and edited a 49 chapter textbook on Interventional Spine Care comprised of contributions from international experts in the fields of spine biomechanics, diagnostic imaging, electrodiagnostic medicine, and diagnostic and therapeutic spinal procedures. He volunteers or has served on multiple professional committees for the North American Spine Society, International Spine Intervention Society, American Board of Interventional Spine Specialists, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports, and Occupational Rehabilitation, and the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. DePalma is a reviewer for six leading peer reviewed journals within his specialty and one online patient education website (www.spineuniverse.com). He serves as Director of the Virginia iSpine Physician’s Interventional Spine Care Fellowship program, Chairman and Director of Research of Virginia Spine Research Institute, and Medical Director of the VCU Athletic Training program. Dr. DePalma has been an invited lecturer to over 80 regional, national, or international presentations and has been featured in regional newspaper segments.

Dr. DePalma has been named by his peer physicians as a “Top Doc” in Richmond magazine in April 2008, 2011, and 2012. This esteemed recognition places Dr. DePalma within the top 10% of recognized physicians in this area.

Dr. DePalma is an active spine researcher and pioneer involved as an investigator in clinical trials evaluating new agents that help repair or restore painfully degenerated intervertebral discs in the low back. He was the lead investigator at VCU in the largest prospective study of an innovative non-surgical technique to stabilize painful pelvic fractures in osteoporotic patients. His research was recently recognized by the International Spine Intervention Society as the “Best Clinical Paper” at their 17th Annual Scientific Meeting in Toronto, CA. He is also the Principal Investigator on a trial evaluating painful lumbar discs, and a separate study of medication injected into painfully arthritic joints of the back to help reverse the arthritic changes. These are just a few examples of how Dr. DePalma contributes to advances and innovation in diagnosing and treating painful spinal disorders.

Read more about Dr. DePalma and his research background