Dr. Joseph Edward Popper, M.D.

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Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Joseph Edward Popper, who serves patients in Amsterdam, New York. 

Dr. Popper is an orthopedic surgeon at Mohawk Valley Orthopedics, PC specializing in the comprehensive treatment of the neck, back, and spine. He offers the most modern and comprehensive approach to spinal care, with a focus on patient safety and individualized treatment.

A specialist in cervical spine surgery and minimally-invasive lumbar procedures, he applies a “conservative first-approach” to his patients, and only offers surgical intervention with proven evidence-based techniques when necessary. This means providing the most minimally-invasive and safest procedures for each patient. He is proficient with the most modern advancements in total spine care, including minimally-invasive (“MIS”) techniques, robot-aided navigation, and motion-preserving operations.

Graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Washington State University, Dr. Popper earned his medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2011.

Subsequently, he completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the Henry Ford Hospital in 2016, serving as Chief Resident in his final year, and completed a combined fellowship in neurosurgical and orthopedic spine surgery with the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in 2017.

An expert in his field, the doctor is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS). The ABOS is an organization with the goal of establishing educational and professional standards for orthopedic residents and surgeons as well as evaluating the qualifications and competence of orthopedic surgeons.

In his professional experience, Dr. Popper has authored several publications in many peer-reviewed journals, and has presented his research at over 30 national and international meetings. His particular research interests include post-surgical spinal infections and osteopenia/osteoporosis, and he has used this knowledge to better treat his own patients with low bone density, and in avoiding infection after surgery.

Orthopedic surgery is the branch of surgery concerned with conditions involving the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic surgeons use both surgical and non-surgical means to treat musculoskeletal trauma, spine diseases, sports injuries, degenerative diseases, infections, tumors, and congenital disorders.

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