Dr. Richard M. Ozuna, MD

Expert Publications

• Regional variations in certain cellular characteristics in human lumbar intervertebral discs, including the presence of alpha-smooth muscle actin.
• A prospective randomized multi-center study for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with the X STOP interspinous implant: 1-year results.
• Alpha-smooth muscle actin in pathological human disc nucleus pulposus cells in vivo and in vitro.
• A multicenter, prospective, randomized trial evaluating the X STOP interspinous process decompression system for the treatment of neurogenic intermittent claudication: two-year follow-up results.
• Quality of life of lumbar stenosis-treated patients in whom the X STOP interspinous device was implanted.
• Conversion of failed modern unicompartmental arthroplasty to total knee arthroplasty.

Media Releases

Get to know Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Richard M. Ozuna, who serves patients in Maryland.

A fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Ozuna is affiliated with Sports Medicine North, seeing patients at the offices in Peabody, Newburyport, and Beverly, Maryland. He specializes in the treatment of back, neck and spine disorders using advanced techniques such as minimally invasive microsurgery and complex spinal reconstruction.

The doctor’s approach is to practice evidence-based spine care in the most conservative fashion. He attempts to educate the patient on a particular problem and steer them toward the most appropriate conservative treatment. When surgery is necessary, he aims for minimally invasive procedures while delivering the most advanced care possible.

Founded in 1994 by Dr. Jeffrey Polansky, Sports Medicine North has continued to provide highly skilled, expert care in virtually every orthopedic subspecialty. The specialty-trained orthopedic surgeons and devoted specialists are trusted by more patients, athletic programs, and peers than any other orthopedic practice in the region. 

At Sports Medicine North, advanced, specialized care for nearly all bone, joint, and muscle injuries and conditions of the body, including spine, shoulder, elbow, hand, hip, knee, foot, and ankle is provided. Services also include sports medicine, pain management, total joint replacement and revision, trauma, occupational health, and bone density/osteoporosis. 

With a broad educational background, Dr. Ozuna holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry from Pepperdine University. He earned his medical degree at Harvard Medical School in 1988 and completed his post-graduate training through Harvard at Massachusetts General Hospital. In 1994, he was the Orthopedic Surgery Chief Resident at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and performed a fellowship in spine surgery at UCLA Medical Center in 1995.

“I was drawn to a medical career primarily due to a fascination with science and the mechanisms/pathophysiology of diseases. I fell in love with the field of spine surgery during residency and decided to pursue additional training in spine surgery. I was fortunate enough to be trained by several of the field’s most respected surgeons. I consider myself one of the lucky ones to be able to have a profession that I love and enjoy each day” expressed Dr. Ozuna.

Professionally, he is a member of several medical organizations, including the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the Essex Orthopedic Society, the Massachusetts Medical Society, and the North American Spine Society.

Licensed to practice medicine in Maryland, he is board-certified in orthopedic surgery 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.

Actively involved in research and some of the most successful worldwide spinal implant developments, Dr. Ozuna is affiliated with Anna Jaques Hospital, North Shore Medical Center, NSMC Union Hospital, Beverly Hospital, and Winchester 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.

As a testament of his success, Dr. Ozuna has been elected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Doctors of America from 2003 through 2008, and was named Best Orthopedic Surgeon in Boston by Boston Magazine in 2006 and 2007.

Outside of practicing medicine, he enjoys skiing, water skiing, wakeboarding, boating, and fishing. 

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