John Liu, MD

Professor of Clinical Neurological Surgery

Co-Director, USC Spine Center

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Overview

Dr. Liu is a recognized leader and considered one of the pioneers in minimally invasive surgical techniques for spine. He provides a key leadership role in the development of the leading multi-disciplinary academic spine program on the West Coast through close collaborations with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery.

Dr. Liu, a board-certified neurosurgeon, was vice chairman of spine services and co-medical director of the spine center at Cedars-Sinai. Prior to Cedars-Sinai, Dr. Liu was director of spinal surgery at Northwestern University in Chicago. One of the country’s preeminent specialists in intricate and minimally invasive spine surgery, Dr. Liu is leading research to study innovative technologies and techniques for the treatment of conditions such as spinal deformities, scoliosis, spinal cord injuries, aging spine, and hyperhidrosis.

He received his medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. After graduation, he completed his surgical internship and residency at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL. Dr. Liu went on to complete a fellowship in Complex Spine Surgery and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Publications

  • Predictors of Sacroiliac Joint Intervention Following Lumbar Spine Fusion. Clin Spine Surg. 2026 Jul 23.. View in PubMed
  • Long-Term Impact of Total Hip Arthroplasty on Subsequent Lumbar Spine Surgery in Patients with Hip-Spine Disease: A Nationwide Analysis of Risk Factors and Outcomes. Global Spine J. 2026 May; 16(4):1786-1793.. View in PubMed
  • Long-Term Outcomes of Cervical Disc Replacement and Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Review of FDA IDE Trials With Real-World Comparison. Global Spine J. 2026 Apr; 16(3):1448-1463.. View in PubMed
  • A new era in neurosurgery residency applications: the impact of preference signaling on the neurosurgical match. J Neurosurg. 2025 Oct 01; 143(4):1108-1120.. View in PubMed
  • Increased Risk of Lumbar Fusion Following Sacroiliac Joint Fusion in Patients With Lumbar Degenerative Disease: A Nationwide Cohort Analysis. Global Spine J. 2026 Jan; 16(1):716-723.. View in PubMed
  • The use of generative artificial intelligence-based dictation in a neurosurgical practice: a pilot study. Neurosurg Focus. 2025 07 01; 59(1):E8.. View in PubMed
  • The impact of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) on opioid consumption and postoperative pain levels in elective spine surgery. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2024 07; 242:108350.. View in PubMed
  • Integration of Chronological Age Does Not Improve the Performance of a Mixed-Effect Model Using Comorbidity Burden and Frailty to Predict 90-Day Readmission After Surgery for Degenerative Scoliosis. World Neurosurg. 2024 07; 187:e560-e567.. View in PubMed
  • Top 25 Most Cited Articles on Intraoperative Computer Tomography-Guided Navigation in Spine Surgery. World Neurosurg. 2024 04; 184:322-330.e1.. View in PubMed
  • Minimally Invasive Intradural Tumor Resection. World Neurosurg. 2021 01; 145:243.. View in PubMed