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Dr. Shane Burch is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in treating spinal disorders. With expertise in all regions of the spine, he uses computer-assisted and robotic surgery techniques to perform both highly complex and minimally invasive procedures.

Burch's research focuses on spinal surgery outcomes, including how to improve postsurgical quality of life. A champion of using digital technology to elevate patient care, he established a motion analysis system to assess how patients move before and after surgery.

Burch earned his medical degree and completed a residency in orthopedics at the University of Toronto. He completed a spine fellowship at UCSF and joined the faculty in 2005.

Burch serves in many leadership roles at UCSF, including research director for the spine division. He also directs the spine fellowship program and has helped train more than 40 surgeons in complex spinal disorder surgeries and minimally invasive techniques over the last 15 years. He mentors undergraduate students, medical students, orthopedic residents and clinical fellows through career counseling and as an adviser on research projects. He works closely with the UCSF Spine Center's directors to improve the center's efficiency in collaborating with the UCSF combined orthopedic and neurosurgery spine services. He also participates in campus-wide committees on risk management and patient safety.

In his spare time, Burch enjoys spending time with family, running ultramarathons and cycling in the Marin Headlands.

  • Board Certifications

    American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2009

  • Fellowships

    UCSF, Spine Surgery, 2005

    UCSF, Spinal Surgery, 2005

    University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2004

    University of Toronto Sunnybrook Health Sci Ctr, Spine Surgery, 2003

  • Residencies

    University Hospital-Toronto, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2004

    University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, Orthopaedic Surgery, 2002

  • Education

    University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine, 1998

  • Languages

    English

Where I see patients (1)

    My reviews

    4.8

    Overall Experience
    380 Ratings
    About our process
    Mar 26, 2025
    Really impressed with Dr. Burch. His surgical skill is outstanding and he is also a good listener (uncommon with surgeons, I have found)
    Mar 19, 2025
    Dr Burch is an outstanding physician. He is attentive, aware of the surroundings and my body movements in order to help him with a diagnosis, pleasant and very knowledgeable in his area of expertise. I traveled over 150 miles to visit with Dr Burch whom had previously treated me in 2018 -2019. He is absolutely an asset to yet UCSF family
    Mar 04, 2025
    Dr Burch is a truly fantastic man and doctor. I feel lucky to be his patient
    Feb 26, 2025
    Probably the best surgeon I have seen. Dr. Burch is very knowledgeable and extremely skilled. On top of that, Dr. Burch is very friendly and very humble, despite his high position and degrees. I hope I could recover after his high level surgery on my back. Prior to seeing Dr. Burch, my 2nd spinal surgeon said that "no one would ever dig into my back again" due to a complexity and adhesion right above the spinal nerve. But Dr. Burch was able to remove that adhesion next to my spinal nerve and corrected many other problems at time of a 2-day spinal surgery.
    Feb 05, 2025
    Restored my faith in health care in this country.
    Feb 04, 2025
    I appreciate the doctor's straightforward manner.
    Jan 30, 2025
    Dr. Shane Burch and team are FABULOUS! I have a new back and a new lease on life! Highly recommend! Thank you Dr. Burch and UCSF!
    Jan 30, 2025
    Dr. Burch always gives me an opportunity to ask about different options and makes me feel like my concerns and questions are wise.
    Jan 15, 2025
    I didn't feel as if there was time for too many questions or to delve into my concerns and specifics too much. I definitely trust this doctor and I know he will do an amazing job with my surgery. I'm looking forward to at least reducing my pain.
    Jan 13, 2025
    Couldn't have been better
    Jan 08, 2025
    I have a great deal of confidence in this provider.
    Dec 20, 2024
    Dr. Burch is thorough and kind. I am so glad we picked him to do this big surgery.
    Dec 14, 2024
    Very good just doesn't describe Dr. Burch. He is outstanding! A 10 plus not a 5.
    Dec 11, 2024
    Dr Shane Burch is very experienced with the surgery I needed and helped me feel confident that we would have a good outcome.
    Dec 04, 2024
    Dr Burch answered all my questions; reassured me of improvements expected in the future. Very good visit.
    Dec 04, 2024
    I have a complication and pain because of a fall after my surgery. Dr Burch was very sympathetic and clear in discussing possible additional surgery to correct my spine and mitigate pain
    Nov 20, 2024
    Dr. Burch and his team made me feel cared for. The concerns I had were about surgery and timeline. Dr. Burch was very clear about what I needed to do to get to the point where surgery was feasible. He'll see me again in 3 months.
    Nov 02, 2024
    DR.BURCH. Is a Great Physican
    Oct 18, 2024
    This was six-week post-op visit. I had many questions and Doctor answered most before I needed to ask. Great vidit
    Oct 16, 2024
    I will be leaving reviews highly recommending Dr Burch
    Oct 03, 2024
    Dr. Burch is beyond Very Good.
    Sep 21, 2024
    Dr Shane Burch is exceptional and I feel privileged to be under his care. He performed a spine fusion surgery on me over two days and as I recover I already feel much stronger than before the surgery and free of the chronic back pain that has troubled me for many years.
    Sep 11, 2024
    I felt very much that Dr. Burch was well informed about my condition and how it was affecting my life before he even came into the room.
    Aug 08, 2024
    Dr. Shane Burch is a caring professional. I always leave visits with him feeling reassured and at ease
    Aug 01, 2024
    Very much appreciate the prompt response to my questions that I forgot to ask the doctor. Also appreciate the explanation of the upcoming procedure. Options for treatment and post operative expectations.
    Jul 17, 2024
    Immediately ordered "urgent" MRI for follow-up
    Jul 13, 2024
    I was very thankful my PCP Shawn Rosen referred me to Dr Burch. I'm confident he will take excellent care of me.
    Jul 12, 2024
    A score of 5 is not enough. Dr. Burch deserves a 10 + score.
    Jul 10, 2024
    Provider is outstanding. Informative. Very professional and personable!
    Jul 06, 2024
    Dr Burch epitomizes excellent health care
    Jul 06, 2024
    I appreciate him going over all of my MRIs, etc. Showing me the details and explaining each Area of concern and the proposed treatments to ascertain an accurate diagnosis
    Jun 28, 2024
    Dr. Shane Burch is tops In our opinion. We have and will continue to refer friends and family to him. Excellent surgeon!
    May 15, 2024
    I have had 4 surgeries with Dr. Burch. My Spine is now fused from C-2 thru the pelvic. Dr Burch Is a highly skilled surgeon who cares about the whole you. From my first visit I knew I was in the care of not only the best surgeon, but also a doctor who genuinely cares for you. I am so grateful and blessed to have him as my doctor
    May 12, 2024
    Very knowledgeable and professional.
    May 11, 2024
    I am very fortunate to have the team I have working with me.
    May 11, 2024
    I feel confident that Dr Burch has ordered the correct tests and has studied my specific medical situation to know how he will perform the procedures. His years of experience makes me feel hopeful for a good outcome to a difficult surgery.
    May 08, 2024
    Excellent visit. Very informative. Had anxieties going in; left visit with a much better understanding, and relaxed about actual surgery.
    May 07, 2024
    Dr Burch is exceptional. He and his staff have already brought considerable relief to my chronic back pain. I am excited about my spine surgery, going forward.
    Apr 27, 2024
    Dr. Burch took a lot of time to listen to all my questions, review my imaging studies with me and my wife, and discuss recommended courses of treatment.
    Apr 26, 2024
    Dr. Burch, his PA Ariana and the intake technician were all very thorough and helpful the entire experience could not have been better.
    Apr 18, 2024
    Both Dr Burch and his Resident listened about my problem and made me feel that I explained it well and that they thought my experience/opinions were valid, and my questions about the upcoming procedure/surgery were important. I felt heard and left feeling hopeful and confident that Dr Burch could help me.
    Apr 11, 2024
    Dr. Burch is upfront yet kind at the same time. Very intelligent, too, always makes a point to shake my hand which tells me he sees me as a patient and not a number. The best care on th planet I always boast to family & friends!
    Mar 13, 2024
    Dr. Burch was, as always, attentive, thorough and encouraging.
    Dec 23, 2023
    Very attentive and kind
    Dec 20, 2023
    This officebis so well run and everyone is so friendly, knowledgeable patient listening to me.
    Dec 13, 2023
    Dr. Burch is an exceptional physician. He listens carefully and always fully answers my questions.
    Dec 06, 2023
    Dr. BURCH IS JUST AN AWESOME DOCTOR. HE GIVES YOU HIS FULL ATTENTION. I ALWAYS LEAVE MY APPOINTMENTS FEELING I HAVE THE BEST OF CARE.
    Nov 22, 2023
    They were great
    Nov 22, 2023
    Dr Burch and the staff are perfect . They're kind, knowledgeable and courteous.
    Nov 15, 2023
    For the whole team they deserve 5 stars
    Nov 12, 2023
    Awaiting further testing results to determine course of action. Dr.Burch is extremely thorough.
    Nov 02, 2023
    I have recommended Dr Burch to others
    Oct 27, 2023
    Very happy with entire procedure
    Oct 26, 2023
    I appreciated not feeling rushed through my visit. Dr. Burch answered all my questions and I left with a positive experience.
    Oct 20, 2023
    I recommended Dr. Shane Burch to a friend with a severe back problem already.
    Oct 11, 2023
    I can't say enough about Dr Burch and his staff. He is wonderful, explained everything about my surgery and results. The other Dr's I have gone to rush you thru the appointment, leaving me confused as to what they said,n not Dr Burch, he takes his time with his patients.
    Oct 04, 2023
    At no time during my visit with the care provider did I feel anxious or nervous. While I understand that there are risks involved with almost any type of surgery, I feel certain that I'll be in good hands.
    Oct 01, 2023
    Very pleasant, and knowledgeable
    Sep 27, 2023
    Dr. Burch makes sure to listen and explain everything during visit. Never feel rushed or like he doesn't care.
    Sep 22, 2023
    Dr Burch is the best!
    Sep 13, 2023
    Dr. Burch and his staffers very professional and easy to talk to. Thank you
    Sep 06, 2023
    Dr Burch appeared overworked and tired.
    Sep 06, 2023
    Dr Burch is the best
    Sep 04, 2023
    I feel the back surgery Dr Burch performed gave me my life back to where I could walk again.
    Sep 01, 2023
    The 15 minutes of substantive conversation with Dr. Burch was very informative.
    Aug 29, 2023
    Very good is not high enough.Dr Burch is always excellent.
    Aug 28, 2023
    Dr. Burch is easy to communicate with and very informative.
    Aug 23, 2023
    Dr. Burch is an outstanding physician. He has a friendly and calm manner, and he's very easy to talk to. He explained my current status and what I can expect over the next 6-12 months. He also gave me salient advice precautions and recommendations on exercising with kettle bells. He's one of the most competent and approachable physicians I've ever been cared for. 10 s.
    Aug 10, 2023
    Dr. Burch is an excellent care provider. His bedside manner is thorough and very thorough. He treated me with a personable manner.
    Aug 09, 2023
    I am so fortunate to have Dr Burch treating me
    Aug 09, 2023
    Dr Burch is an expert in his field and I had already heard very good things about him from other patients
    Aug 03, 2023
    Dr Burch is an outstanding surgeon
    Jul 21, 2023
    Dr Burch is excellent!
    Jul 19, 2023
    Dr Burch is a phenomenal doctor and surgeon. He is a trusted member of our family as far as we are concerned. We are eternally grateful for his compassion and expertise In the treatment of Douglas. God Bless this wonderful man!
    Jul 14, 2023
    Very much appreciate the time Dr Burch took to listen to and answer questions and concerns
    Jul 12, 2023
    Dr. Burch is the best! I've been completely happy with all aspects of his care.
    Jun 16, 2023
    Excellent!
    Jun 14, 2023
    Good care offered to me
    Jun 07, 2023
    Dr Butch is excellent. He asks questions the reveal he knows you and remembers you. He listens carefully and responds thoughtfully.
    Jun 07, 2023
    Dr Burch is outstanding! Obviously extremely good as a surgeon but he is also engaging, clear and very informative
    May 31, 2023
    Dr Burch still the best
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