Nicholas D. Fletcher, MD
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Dr. Fletcher is assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery. |
What Makes Dr. Fletcher a Standout
Dr. Fletcher takes care of all pediatric orthopaedic trauma, neuromuscular disorders, leg length differences, foot conditions, and angular deformities of the lower limbs. In addition, the management of pediatric spinal and hip conditions are particular areas of expertise.
With respect to spinal disorders, Dr. Fletcher takes cares for all forms of pediatric spinal problems including adolescent scoliosis, neuromuscular scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, early onset scoliosis, kyphosis, and spondylolisthesis. He has spoken locally, nationally, and internationally on his research in scoliosis. His work on adolescent scoliosis has been presented as far away as Japan and he has published multiple studies on early onset and adolescent scoliosis. Dr. Fletcher received specialty training in Mehta spinal casting and has introduced this nonoperative modality of scoliosis correction to Georgia. His current research on comparing spinal casting and growing rod surgery has recently been nominated as a top 10 podium presentation at the upcoming Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America meeting. He also received the 2010 T. Boone Pickens Award for Spinal research for his research in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.
Dr. Fletcher also specializes in pediatric and young adult hip conditions including hip dysplasia, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), perthes disease, avascular necrosis, and slipped capital femoral epiphysis. He is one of only a handful of surgeons in the southeast with expertise in the Ganz or periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) for hip dysplasia and the modified Dunn osteotomy for slipped capital femoral epiphysis. He takes care of children of all ages with hip conditions in addition to young adults with hip dysplasia and impingement.
Outside of patient care and research, Dr. Fletcher has a passion for orthopaedic education and teaching. As assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery at Emory, Dr. Fletcher has recently overhauled the pediatric orthopaedic education program at Emory, is co-director of the pediatric orthopaedic fellowship, and is a Discovery Mentor for Emory University medical school students. He is the physician member of the Emerging Leaders committee for CHOA.
Areas of Clinical Interest
- Scoliosis
- Kyphosis
- Developmental dysplasia of the hip
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
- Legg Calve Perthes disease
- Hip preservation surgery including Ganz osteotomy
- Fracture care and traumatic injuries
- Limb Length differences and angular disorders of the lower extremities
- Neuromuscular diseases such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophies, spina bifida
- Pediatric foot conditions including clubfoot, flat foot, and cavus (high arch) foot
The Road to Emory: Education
- Undergraduate School: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Medical School: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
- Residency: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, Orthopedic Surgery
- Fellowship: Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dallas, TX, Pediatric Orthopedics
Publications:
Fletcher ND, Bruce RW. Early Onset Scoliosis: Current Concepts and Controversies. Curr Rev Musc Med. 2012. (in press)
Fletcher ND, Schiller JR, Garg S, Weller A, Larson AN, Kwon M, Copley L, Ho C. Increased severity of type III supracondylar humerus fractures in the pre-teen population. J Ped Orthop 2012 (In press)
Fletcher ND, McClung A, Johnston CE. Serial casting as a delay tactic in the management of moderate to severe early onset scoliosis. J Ped Orthop 2012 (In press)
Larson AN, Fletcher ND, Richards BS. Selective thoracic fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis at minimum 20 year follow up. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Sept 30
Fletcher ND, Hopkins J, McClung A, Browne R, Sucato DJ. Residual thoracic hypokyphosis following posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: Risk factors and clinical ramifications. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Feb 25.
Fletcher ND, Larson AN, Richards BS, Johnston CE. Current Treatment Preferences for Early Onset Scoliosis: A Survey of POSNA Members. J Ped Orthop. 2011;31:326-330
Kim HWK, Larson AN, Fletcher ND, Winick N, Kim YJ. Childhood Femoral Head Osteonecrosis. Clin Rev Bone Metabolism. 2011; March 27.
Fletcher ND, Rathgen KE, Bush P, Ezaki MB. Asymmetrical arthrogryposis of the upper extremity associated with congenital spine anomalies. J Ped Orthop. 2010 Dec;30(8):936-41
Morris BA, Fletcher N, Davis RA, Mencio GA. Bacterial meningitis after traumatic thoracic fracture-dislocation: two case reports and review of the literature. J Orthop Trauma. 2010 May;24(5):e49-53
Fletcher N, Sofianos D, Berkes M, Obremskey WT. Current Concepts Review: Prevention of Perioperative Infection. J Bone Joint Surg (Am). 2007 July;89:1605-18
Hemphill RR, Santen SA, Spanier CM, Fletcher ND. Trauma: life in the ER--education or entertainment? The patient's perspective. South Med J. 2007 Mar;100(3):248-51.
Santen SA, Hemphill RR, McCloskey CB, Fletcher ND 'Sorry, it's my first time!' Will patients consent to medical students learning procedures? Med Educ. 2005 Apr;39(4):365-9.
Personal
Dr. Fletcher was raised in Rhode Island and currently lives in Atlanta with his wife, two children, and two dogs. His interests include running, cycling, and snow skiing, but mostly just spending time with his family.
