Doctor's Bio
Dr. Julian Lugo-Pico is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with expertise in the evaluation and surgical management of adult spinal disorders. His clinical practice encompasses the full spectrum of spinal pathology, including cervical, thoracic, and lumbar degenerative disease, adult spinal deformity, spinal trauma, tumors, infections, and complex revision surgery. He has a particular interest in cervical spine disorders, motion preservation, and less invasive surgical techniques.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Dr. Lugo-Pico earned his medical degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine and is fluent in both English and Spanish. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Miami. He also holds a master’s degree in clinical investigation from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where he gained additional training in evidence-based care and clinical outcomes research.
Dr. Lugo-Pico is committed to delivering high-quality, personalized spine care grounded in the latest surgical techniques. He works together with patients and referring providers to carefully develop individualized treatment plans that prioritize patient safety, a faster recovery, and long-lasting results. His goal is to help patients return to the activities that matter most through thoughtful, precise, and patient-centered care.
Board Certifications
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Affiliations
Emory
Education & Training
- Medical School: University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
- Residency: University of Miami
Locations and Directions
Correll Pavilion
Phone: (404) 616-1000
Location:
80 Gilmer St. SE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Publications
- A bone optimization rheumatology clinic increases anabolic bone agent use and reduces mechanical complications in adult spinal deformity surgery.
Jain H, Sarikonda A, Ahluwalia R, Zakieh O, Montgomery A, Navid W, Raj P, Baker CR, Chanbour H, Younus I, Zeoli T, Jonzzon S, Zuckerman A, Bobo Tanner S, Lugo-Pico JG, Abtahi AM, Stephens BF, Zuckerman SL
Spine deformity. 2026;
PMID: 41688596 - Cell Saver in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: Helping or Hurting?
Jain H, Ahluwalia R, Sarikonda A, Sundrani S, Zakieh O, Lyons AT, Krishna S, Osama TA, Montogomery A, Navid W, Zeoli T, Younus I, Jonzzon S, Chanbour H, Lugo-Pico JG, Abtahi AM, Stephens BF, Zuckerman SL
Neurosurgery. 2026;
PMID: 41589873 - Rediscovering Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy/Diskectomy With the Endoscope: A Favorable Cost Comparison with the Traditional Treatment of a Cervical Radiculopathy.
Liles C, Chanbour H, Lyons AT, Ye E, Zakieh O, Dambrino RJ, Younus I, Jonzzon S, Berkman RA, Lugo-Pico JG, Abtahi AM, Stephens BF, Zuckerman SL, Gardocki RJ
Operative neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.). 2025;
PMID: 41400489 - Should We Re-Instrument the Originally Fused Level in ACDF Revision for Adjacent Segment Disease?: A Quality Outcomes Database Study.
Bathon JF, Zakieh O, Davidson C, Hymel AM, Pennings JS, Young MW, Bowers MF, Abtahi AM, Gardocki RJ, Lugo-Pico JG, Zuckerman SL, Stephens BF
Spine. 2025;
PMID: 41396363 - Failure to correct the fractional curve in adult spinal deformity surgery is associated with rod fractures.
Jain H, Zakieh O, Chanbour H, Lugo-Pico JG, Abtahi AM, Stephens BF, Zuckerman SL
Clinical neurology and neurosurgery. 2025;
PMID: 40934645 - Does alignment alone predict mechanical complications after adult spinal deformity surgery? A machine learning comparison of alignment, bone quality, and soft tissue.
Sundrani S, Doss DJ, Johnson GW, Jain H, Zakieh O, Wegner AM, Lugo-Pico JG, Abtahi AM, Stephens BF, Zuckerman SL
Neurosurgical focus. 2025;59(1):E15.
PMID: 40591962 - Level Selection in Posterior Cervical Fusion: The Clinical Impact of Junctional Crossing.
Zakieh O, Wong B, Bakle C, Seltzer R, Bowers M, Young M, Zuckerman SL, Gardocki RJ, Abtahi AM, Stephens BF, Lugo-Pico JG
Clinical spine surgery. 2025;
PMID: 40530713 - Is the upper arc or lower arc of lordosis more important in avoiding mechanical complications after adult spinal deformity surgery?
Jain H, Younus I, Gangavarapu LS, Chanbour H, Ahluwalia R, Zeoli T, Wegner AM, Lugo-Pico JG, Abtahi AM, Stephens BF, Zuckerman ASL
Neurosurgical focus. 2025;58(6):E7.
PMID: 40450884 - Is rheumatoid arthritis associated with worse outcomes following adult spinal deformity surgery?
Jain H, Zakieh O, Zeoli T, Chanbour H, Paulson A, Navid W, Ahluwalia R, Lugo-Pico JG, Abtahi AM, Stephens BF, Zuckerman SL
Clinical neurology and neurosurgery. 2025;
PMID: 40414054 - Spinal deformity surgery in patients with movement disorders: Trade-off between increased complications and improved long-term quality of life.
Zakieh O, Chanbour H, Jawid MY, Jain H, Ahluwalia R, Zeoli T, Lugo-Pico JG, Abtahi AM, Stephens BF, Zuckerman SL
Clinical neurology and neurosurgery. 2025;
PMID: 40188592
PLANNING
PREPARING FOR YOUR VISIT
Whether you’re a patient or you’re visiting one, a little planning beforehand can make your visit to Grady easier and more comfortable. Here, you’ll find everything you need to prepare for your visit, including an appointment checklist, admissions information, dining options, and much more.