kasra rowshan ph 300x300 - Dr. Kasra Rowshan

Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Spinal Surgery, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Dr. Rowshan earned his undergraduate and medical degrees with honors at the University of California, Irvine. He completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center and went on to serve as chief resident. While at University of California, Irvine, he published research at the Christopher Reeve-Irvine Research Center.

After completing his residency, Dr. Rowshan continued his training in spinal surgery with the world-renowned spinal surgeons, Dr. Frank Eismont and Dr. Barth Green. After completing his time at University of Miami, he worked with Dr. Harry Shufflebarger, specializing in pediatric scoliosis and deformity.

Dr Rowshan specializes in cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal surgery, spinal degenerative disease, spinal cord tumors, spinal trauma, complex instrumentation, pediatric scoliosis, and minimally invasive spine surgery. He also has a strong interest in basic science research and minimally invasive spine surgery research. He has presented data on the use of minimally invasive percutaneous instrumentation for the treatment of spine trauma, degenerative disease and tumors. His work has been presented in national and international meetings.

Dr. Rowshan’s research efforts have earned him recognition in many highly prestigious medical journals, national/international meetings, and national grants.

Dr. Rowshan has authored many peer-reviewed research articles, including publication in the prestigious Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. He has presented papers at many national and international conferences, authored a number of book chapters ranging from minimally invasive lumbar surgery to degenerative cervical spine disease. Currently, Dr. Rowshan has an article in review for publication that identifies an extremely rare medical condition in an orthopaedic patient. A condition called Broken Heart Syndrome, if left unidentified and untreated, would result in loss of the patient’s life.

Education & Training
  • Fellowship in Spine Surgery and Pediatric ScoliosisUniversity of Miami; Jackson Memorial HospitalMiami Children’s Hospital

    Miami, FL

  • Residency in Orthopaedic SurgeryUniversity of California, Irvine Medical CenterOrange, CA
  • Doctorate in MedicineUniversity of California, Irvine School of MedicineIrvine, CA
  • Bachelors in Science Biological SciencesUniversity of California, Irvine School of Biological SciencesIrvine, CA
  • Board-Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Awards & Honors
  • National Institute of Health (NIH) Post-doctoral Fellowship
  • Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Research Fellowship
  • American Medical Association (AMA) Seed Grant Award
  • American Heart Association (AHA) Research Fellowship
  • Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award
  • Presenter at American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Orthopaedic Surgery Research Society, American
  • Society for Peripheral Nerve, Plastic Surgery Research Council, Peripheral Nerve Society, Society for
  • Neuroscience, and Western Orthopaedic Association
  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • Graduated with Latin Honors
  • Dean’s Honor List for all quarters
  • National Dean’s List for two years
  • Dean’s Academic Achievement and Service Award
  • Excellence in Research Award
  • Golden Key National Honors Society
Peer Reviewed Publications
  • Rowshan, K; Sands, L; and Eismont, FJ. Broken heart syndrome in spine surgery: a rare phenomenon. (In Review).
  • Rowshan, K; Hadley, S; Grumet, R; Lee, TQ; and Gupta, R. The Development of fatty atrophy after rotator cuff injuries in an animal model.The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American). 92:2270-2278, Oct 2010.
  • Gupta, R; Rummler, LS; Palispis, W; Truong, L; Chao, T; Rowshan, K; Mozaffar, T; and Steward, O. Local down-regulation of myelin-associated glycoprotein permits axonal sprouting with chronic nerve compression injury. Experimental Neurology. 200(2): 418-29, Aug 2006.
  • Rowshan, K; Jones, N; and Gupta, R. Current surgical techniques of peripheral nerve repair. Operative Techniques in Orthopaedics. 14(3): 163-170, July 2004.
  • Gupta, R; Rowshan, K; Chao, T; Mozaffar, T; Steward, O. Chronic nerve compression induces local demyelination and re-myelination in a rat model of carpal tunnel syndrome. Experimental Neurology. 187(2): 500-8, June 2004.
  • Li, P; Rowshan, K; Crisostomo, M; Tjen-A-Looi, SC; and Longhurst JC. Effect of electroacupuncture on pressor reflex during gastric distension. Am J Physiol, Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 283(6): R1335-45, Dec 2002.
  • Rowshan, K. “Paradise Lost” Western Journal of Medicine. 174(5): 357, May 2001.
  • Rowshan, K and Asward, D. Identification of the different core proteins that compose a brain specific proteoglycan called high molecular weight methyl-accepting protein. Journal of Undergraduate Research in Biological Sciences. 28: 234-242, 1998.
Published Book Chapters
  • Rowshan, K and Bhatia, N. “Central Cord Syndrome Acute Decompression versus Watch and Wait.” The Cervical Spine, 5th Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2012. p1492-1497.
  • Rowshan, K and Eismont, FJ . “Spine Infectious.” Orthopaedic Surgery Update Spine 4. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. 2010. p. 525-534.
  • Rowshan, K and Bhatia, N. “Trans 1 (Interbody Fusion).” Advanced Reconstruction: Spine. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery / North American Spine Society. 2010. p. 535-542.
  • Rowshan, K and Gupta, R. “Chapter 8: Digital nerve repair.” Upper Extremity Nerve Repair- Tips and Techniques. A Master Skills Publication. Ed. D.J. Slutsky. American Society for Surgery of the Hand, 2008. p. 89-96.
  • Rowshan, K and Gupta, R. “Peripheral nerve physiology, injury and repair.” Hand Surgery Update 4. Ed.T.E. Trumble. American Society for Surgery of the Hand, 2008. p. 389-98.
Published Peer Reviewed Abstracts
  • Derasari, A; Rowshan, K; and Williams, S. Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation in Spine Fractures. Scoliosis Research Society. (Accepted, June 2010)
  • Derasari, A; Rowshan, K; and Williams, S. Safety and Feasibility of Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation in the Treatment of Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Fractures. Western Orthopaedic Association. (Accepted, May 2010)
  • Rowshan, K; Hadley, S; Grumet, R; Lee, TQ; and Gupta, R. Development of Fatty Atrophy after Rotator Cuff Injuries in an Animal Model. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Poster 345. February 22-28, 2009.
  • Rowshan, K; Hadley, S; Lee, TQ; and Gupta, R. Nerve injury in rotator cuff pathology. Peripheral Nerve Society. July 2007.
  • Gupta, R; Rummler, L; Palispis, W; Truong, L; Chao, T; Rowshan, K; and Steward, O. Local down regulation of myelin-associated glycoprotein permits axonal sprouting with chronic nerve compression injury. Peripheral Nerve Society. July 2005 and 11th International Symposium on Neural Regeneration. Dec 2005.
  • Rowshan, K; Chao, T; Bui, P; Mozaffar, T; Steward, O; and Gupta, R. Altered Schwann cell function with a model for carpal tunnel syndrome. International Symposium on Ligament and Tendons IV. 2005.
  • Rowshan, K; Mozaffar, T; Steward, O and Gupta, R. Myelin changes during chronic nerve compression. American Society for Peripheral Nerve. 2005.
  • Rowshan, K; Chao, T; Mozaffar, T; Steward, O and Gupta, R. The lost art of nerve teasing. American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 21:20, paper RF10, 2003.
  • Rowshan, K; Chao, T; Bui, P; Mozaffar, T; and Gupta, R. Aberrant axonal sprouting with the absence of Wallerian degeneration in a model for carpal tunnel syndrome. Orthopaedic Research Society. 64, 2003.
  • Rowshan, K; Chao, T; Bui, P; Mozaffar, T; and Gupta, R. Why is there pain with carpal tunnel syndrome? International Symposium on Ligament and Tendons III. 3:46, Feb 2003.
  • Rowshan, K; Chao, T; Bui, PH, Rummler, LS, Mozaffar, T; Steward, O; Gupta, R. Why is there pain with carpal tunnel syndrome? Chronic nerve compression induces aberrant axonal sprouting without Wallerian Degeneration. Meeting of the Peripheral Nerve Society. Page 149, July 2003.
  • Rowshan, K; Chafik, D; Benhaim, P; and Gupta, R. Aberrant axonal sprouting with the absence of Wallerian degeneration in a model for carpal tunnel syndrome. J. Invest. Med. 51(1): 164-165, Feb 2003.
  • Rowshan, K; Chafik, D; Bear, D; Benhaim, P; and Gupta, R. Chronic nerve compression induces early proliferation of unmyelinated fibers while preserving axonal integrity. Plastic Surgery Research Council. 81B, 2002.
  • Rowshan, K and Longhurst, JC. Electroacupuncture’s effects on the cardiovascular pressor reflex to gastric distention in rats. J. Invest. Med. 40(1):9A, 2002.
  • Botros, D; Rowshan, K; Pio, J; and Wong, N. Effects of dietary factors on C-reactive protein, a marker for coronary heart disease, in smokers and non-smokers. J. Invest. Med. 40(1):68A, Feb 2002.
  • Rowshan, K; Tjen-A-Looi, S; Li, P; and Longhurst, JC. Electroacupuncture (EA) inhibits the pressor response induced by gastric mechanical stimulation in rats. Society of Neuroscience. 244.17, Nov 2000.
International & National Presentations
  • Rowshan, K (presenter); Derasari, A; and Williams, S. Safety and Feasibility of Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation in the Treatment of Thoracic and Lumbar Spine Fractures. Western Orthopaedic Association. Monterey, CA, August 2010.
  • Rowshan, K (presenter); Hadley, S; Grumet, R; Lee, TQ; Gupta, R. Development of Fatty Atrophy after Rotator Cuff Injuries in an Animal Model. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Las Vegas, NV, February 2009.
  • Rowshan, K (presenter); Hadley, S; Lee, TQ; and Gupta, R. Nerve injury in rotator cuff pathology. Peripheral Nerve Society. Snowbird, Utah, July 2007.
  • Rowshan, K (presenter); Mozaffar, T; Steward, O and Gupta, R. Myelin changes during chronic nerve compression. American Society for Peripheral Nerve. Palm Springs, California, January 2004.
  • Rowshan, K (presenter); Chao, T; Mozaffar, T; Steward, O and Gupta, R. The lost art of nerve teasing. American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Chicago, Illinois. September 2003.
  • Rowshan, K (presenter); Bui, P; Lin, YM; Mozaffar, T; and Gupta, R. Macrophage recruitment follows the pattern of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in a model for carpal tunnel syndrome. Orthopaedic Research Society. New Orleans, Louisiana. February 2003.
  • Rowshan, K (presenter); Chafik, D; Bear, D; Benhaim, P; Jones, N; and Gupta, R. Chronic nerve compression induces early proliferation of unmyelinated fibers while preserving axonal integrity. Plastic Surgery Research Council. Boston, Massachusetts. April 2002.
  • Rowshan, K (presenter); Tjen-A-Looi, S; Li, P; and Longhurst, JC. Electroacupuncture (EA) inhibits the pressor response induced by gastric mechanical stimulation in rats. Society of Neuroscience. New Orleans, Louisiana. November 2000.
  • Rowshan, K (presenter); Hadley, S; Grumet, R; Lee, TQ; and Gupta, R. The Development of fat atrophy in a rabbit model for rotator cuff pathology. Orthopaedic Surgery Graduate Research Forum 2008. Orange, California. June 2008.
  • Rowshan, K (presenter); Chao, T; Mozaffar, T; Steward, O; and Gupta, R. CNC induces segmental demyelination in rat model for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Orthopaedic Surgery Graduate Research Forum 2003. Orange, California. May 2003.
  • Rowshan, K (presenter); David, CL; and Aswad, DW. Identification of the different core proteins that copse a brain specific proteoglycan called high molecular weight methyl-accepting protein. UROP’s Undergraduate Research Symposium. Irvine, California. June 1998.
  • Rowshan, K (presenter); and Aswad, DW. Identification of the different core proteins that compose a brain specific proteoglycan called high molecular weight methyl-accepting protein. Excellence in Research Symposium. Irvine, California. May 1998.
Research Grants & Scholarships
  • National Institute of Health Research GrantPROJECT: Chronic Nerve Compression in an Animal Model
  • Alpha Omega Alpha Research FellowshipPROJECT: Evaluation of Axonal Integrity in a Model for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • American Heart Association Research GrantPROJECT: Effects of Electroacupuncture on the Cardiovascular System
  • American Medical Association Seed GrantPROJECT: C-reactive Protein as a Cardiovascular Marker in Smokers and Non-smokers