Dr. Randall F. Dryer, MD

Expert Publications

• Multilevel osteochondroma of the lumbar spine presenting as spinal stenosis.
• Evaluation of a lumbar intervertebral spacer with integrated screws as a stand-alone fixation device.
• Evaluation of dural closure techniques. Suture methods, fibrin adhesive sealant, and cyanoacrylate polymer.
• Hinged total elbow replacement.
• Heterotopic ossification following single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: results from the prospective, multicenter, historically controlled trial comparing allograft to an optimized dose of rhBMP-2.
• Cervical disc arthroplasty with the Prestige LP disc versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, at 2 levels: results of a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial at 24 months.
• Case report 487: Primary lymphoma of radius.
• Biomechanical analyses of forearm pronation-supination and elbow flexion-extension.
• Biomechanical analyses of forearm pronation-supination and elbow flexion-extension.
• Ewing's sarcoma of the hand.
• Ewing's sarcoma of the hand.
• Pentasomy X with multiple dislocations.
• Pentasomy X with multiple dislocations.
• Lyme arthritis in the Midwest: a diagnostic challenge.
• Treatment of chronic elbow instability.

Media Releases

Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Randall F. Dryer, who served patients in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Dryer is an award-winning spine surgeon and respected innovator in stem cell therapies. Since 1988, he has been treating patients in Central Texas and from all over the world at Central Texas Spine Institute.

Utilizing the newest techniques and technologies, Central Texas Spine Institute is a private medical practice in Austin offering comprehensive spine care, including diagnostic services, conservative treatment modalities, and spine surgery. Dr. Dryer specializes in the treatment of degenerative conditions of the spine, using the very latest minimally invasive surgical techniques to minimize recovery times and allow patients to get back to enjoying life as quickly as possible.

Offering world class spine care, he has participated in numerous FDA-approved clinical trials and limits his practice to cervical and lumbar spine surgery.

Educated in the United States, Dr. Dryer received his Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Iowa in 1974. Three years later, in 1977, he graduated from Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa. He then completed his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery, all at the University of Iowa, in 1978 and 1982, respectively. 

In 1983, the doctor attained board certification in orthopedic surgery through 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.

Continuing his education, Dr. Dryer completed a fellowship in spine and hand surgery at New Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, England in 1984. Subsequent to his training, he served in the United States Air Force at Wilford Hall, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. He began as staff orthopedist and went on to become Chief of Orthopedic Surgery by the time of his discharge in 1988. He then entered private practice in Austin, Texas where he joined Dr. William P. Taylor at The Austin Back Clinic in 1988. Several years later, the group expanded and became the Central Texas Spine Institute. 

A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, he is currently a member of the Travis County Medical Society, the Texas Medical Association, the Texas Orthopedic Association, the North American Spine Society, the Cervical Spine Research Society, the Spine Arthroplasty Society, and the Society of Lateral Access Surgery. He is also a past President of the Texas Spine Society.

With four decades dedicated to medicine, Dr. Dryer brings a wealth of knowledge to his industry, and in particular, to his area of expertise, orthopedic surgery. When asked why he decided to pursue a career in this specialization, he said: “I wanted to do something in the surgical field that was reconstructive and when I started I wanted to do something that very few people were interested in. The field of spine surgery was actually a wasteland in the early 80s. Now it’s become one of the most sought after types of practice, but it’s only because of the significant advancements that have occurred in spinal care over the last thirty years.”

Licensed to practice medicine in Texas, he is affiliated with Northwest Hills Surgical Hospital, Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, Seton Medical Center Austin, and Seton Northwest Hospital.

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.

An active and recognized leader in the medical profession, Dr. Dryer was named 1 of 60 spine surgeons on the forefront of biologics & stem cells in February 2015; named one of Austin’s Top Doctors in the Spinal Surgery category by Austin Monthly magazine in 2013; first recognized as a “2010 Patients’ Choice” physician by Vitals.com in February 2011; recognized as a “2011 Patients’ Choice” physician by Vitals.com; recognized as one of the Texas Super Doctors by Texas Monthly magazine in December 2011; named one of the top 100 spine surgeons in the U.S. in February 2011; and recognized as an Industry Leader by Becker’s Orthopedic & Spine Review in November 2010. 

A sought-after speaker for continuing education programs world-wide, his work has been published in peer-reviewed journals. He now holds the prestigious title of “Patient Preferred Spine Surgeon” for the state of Texas in 2020.

A local football fan, Dr. Dryer enjoys playing tennis and the piano in his spare time.

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