The Art Behind the Science of Surgery: Creativity, Clinical Research & Spine Outcomes, Pierce Nunley, MD

In this episode of The Spine Pod, co-hosts Courtney Schutze and Brady Riesgraf head to Shreveport, Louisiana to sit down—scrubbed in and ready—with one of the true leaders in modern spine care, Dr. Pierce Nunley. Founder of the Spine Institute of Louisiana, Dr. Nunley brings decades of surgical experience, a passion for research, and a hands-on approach to patient care that’s shaping the future of the field.

In this episode, we step inside the operating room to talk about what it means to build a comprehensive, research-driven, spine practice. From his early days fixing motorcycles on a farm to leading national clinical trials, Dr. Nunley shares the mentors and experiences that shaped his commitment to patient-first care, education, and innovation.

Dr. Nunley goes on to discuss the creation of the Spine Center of Excellence, a dedicated spine-only ambulatory surgery center focused on safety, efficiency, and patient care. He shares insight into his leadership of multiple clinical trials, including recent studies on MOTUS, a lumbar total joint replacement under IDE investigation, and PerQdisc, a nucleus replacement - with both implants focused on the primary goal of restoring function to spine patients while preserving motion.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Nunley emphasizes the importance of real-world data, the responsibility of training future surgeons, and the value of applying experience with humility when evaluating new technologies. His leadership in research, education, and clinical care continues to influence the direction of spine surgery across the country and provides new and improved treatments for patients struggling with chronic neck, leg and/or back pain.

 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the Spine Center of Excellence was built as a spine-exclusive ambulatory surgery center—and what that means for patient outcomes.
• How Dr. Nunley is helping shape the future of spine surgery through clinical research and motion-preserving innovation.
• Why PerQdisc (a spine disc nucleus replacement), Synergy & Baguera (cervical disc replacements), and non-instrumented implants are generating excitement and what makes them different from currently available technologies.
• The early promise and current progress of MOTUS, the first lumbar total joint replacement under US clinical trials.
• How integrity, data collection, and a lifelong curiosity drive better care—and why first surgeries matter most for long-term outcomes.

As a surgeon, researcher, and mentor, Dr. Nunley has built a model for what it means to advance spine care thoughtfully. From running a world-class clinical practice to engaging in nearly 40 clinical research studies as a principal investigator, his voice is a trusted one across the industry. This episode of The Spine Pod is a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of spine surgery.

 

Learn more about Dr. Pierce:

• Spine Institute of Louisiana: https://louisianaspine.org/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piercenunley/

 

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The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment.