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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.

  • Education

    University of Toronto School of Medicine, 1998

  • Academic Title

    Professor

  • Languages

    French

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    4.8

    Overall Experience
    454 Ratings
    About our process
    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 saidn 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 is the best
    Sep 06, 2023
    Dr Burch appeared overworked and tired.
    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
    Dr Burch is an expert in his field and I had already heard very good things about him from other patients
    Aug 09, 2023
    I am so fortunate to have Dr Burch treating me
    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 Burch 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
    May 12, 2023
    He was honest with me
    May 03, 2023
    Dr Burch is an outstanding Doctor and human being
    May 03, 2023
    My appointment is to discuss imaging results and treatment plan options however the provider is unable to download imaging due to system issue
    Apr 01, 2023
    Dr Shane Burch is an incredibly great Doctor!
    Mar 29, 2023
    Dr. Burch is amazing. Very thoughtful and thorough in his care. Explanations were clarified so that I can make informed decisions
    Mar 29, 2023
    Dr. Burch is an exceptional surgeon.
    Mar 24, 2023
    Each time I've met with Dr. Burch he's been terrific in every regard. He explains the proposed surgery very carefully and takes the time to answer all of my questions.
    Mar 23, 2023
    The MRI results were not reviewed. I worry that the MRI will never be reviewed.
    Mar 22, 2023
    I know he's an accomplished surgeon but office visits are not one of his strengths especially If all doesn't go as planned.
    Mar 19, 2023
    Dr Burch is excellent caring focused confident competent exudes confidence in his ability.
    Mar 15, 2023
    I'm in good hands
    Mar 12, 2023
    I have indeed recommended Dr. Burch to several people two of which I know have contacted him. Dr. Burch has always listened and made me feel at ease. So many people are afraid to have spine surgery because of the nightmares they have heard about. However after my first visit I knew my surgery was the right thing to do. I had such a positive although expectedly long experience. Having seen Dr. Burch this last visit my first-year anniversary I am so pleased with the results. I would do the surgery again In a heart beat. Thank you Dr. Burch for your listening ear and caring heart.
    Mar 09, 2023
    Dr. Burch was very nice & I felt very comfortable w/him. He explained things about my procedure very well.
    Mar 08, 2023
    Just wish I could get in sooner for sugary!!
    Feb 08, 2023
    I really liked Dr. Burch. He was very nice & explained the surgery I need very well. He answered all my questions well too.
    Feb 04, 2023
    He's the best!
    Feb 03, 2023
    DR. Burch took ample time to discuss the results if the X-rays and to evaluate my physical condition. He presented a plan for moving ahead with additional testing so a surgical plan could be put into place.
    Jan 27, 2023
    The resident I saw before Dr. Burch was thorough and very detailed in explaining my MRI and going over the problems I am having and suggesting a few options for Treatment. Then I met with Dr. Burch and he came up with a course of action that best suits my personal needs and desire to put off surgery for as long as possible.
    Jan 18, 2023
    Dr. Burch took a great amount of time explaining the surgery and aftercare. He was very realistic about the strategies he recommended for the timing and procedure.
    Jan 11, 2023
    DrBurch was highly attentive to my needs
    Jan 11, 2023
    Thank you
    Jan 09, 2023
    Dr Burch is the best!
    Dec 11, 2022
    Dr Burch is always excellent in his listening caring and solutions to help with my problems and pain.
    Dec 10, 2022
    Dr. Burch is a very attentive surgeon. He treated me as a provider should care for a patient. He was attentive answered all of my questions and is very patient and open.
    Nov 30, 2022
    The nurse practitioner was excellent and took time to listen to issues I was facing
    Nov 30, 2022
    Dr Shane Burch is great
    Nov 30, 2022
    Great
    Nov 28, 2022
    Very good doesn't describe Dr. Burch. Beyond excellent would be better. You don't get better than Dr. BURCH
    Nov 23, 2022
    Dr. Shane Burch is an excellent surgeon can't say enough good things about him. He's a very special surgery.
    Nov 22, 2022
    A superb surgeon
    Nov 16, 2022
    Great
    Nov 16, 2022
    Every single person I came in contact with was friendly and engaging and polite.
    Nov 12, 2022
    UCSF is one of the best hospitals in the nation.
    Nov 12, 2022
    Doctor Burch is excellent really knowledgeable and professional. I can tell he REALLY CARES about me!!! It makes a huge difference.
    Nov 07, 2022
    He didn't listen all my questions but it is ok with me.
    Nov 04, 2022
    The physician's assistant was excellent in providing explanation of my condition and answering questions also.
    Nov 02, 2022
    Dr Burch always kind and attentive
    Oct 27, 2022
    I have already recommended Dr. Burch to a friend.
    Oct 27, 2022
    Dr Burch is excellent. Extremely knowledgeable understanding and kind.
    Oct 24, 2022
    Staff was friendly considerate and professional
    Oct 19, 2022
    One of the best staff and Doctor I have ever met
    Oct 12, 2022
    I developed a sense of complete trust in his ability
    Oct 12, 2022
    He is excellent and worth waiting for.
    Oct 05, 2022
    Always very good!
    Oct 05, 2022
    The whole staff that t dealt with was wonderful kind and very patient.
    Oct 02, 2022
    Dr. Burch is always so caring and concerned. He goes the extra to take care of your health.
    Sep 28, 2022
    Dr Burch is the first provider that has listened and heard me! He understands my pain experience did not judge and has a plan fit my needs postoperatively. I can't thank him enough.
    Sep 07, 2022
    I have already recommended Dr. Burch to a friend.
    Sep 02, 2022
    I ow feel informed prepared and resolved about my upcoming surgery thanks to the Care Teams efforts.
    Aug 11, 2022
    Thank you to Dr. Burch and his Team for the thoughtful care and explanation of my diagnosis using the CT imaging. Appreciated the treatment options from conservative to injection which I will consider. Very appreciative of the experience and knowing that I have options if my pain increases again.
    Aug 03, 2022
    I asked for details about a proposed surgery and would have liked answers a bit more forthcoming. I have had a lot of surgery but felt treated a bit like an adolescent
    Jul 27, 2022
    Dr Burch is the best
    Jul 10, 2022
    Dr Burch is amazing and caring.
    Jul 07, 2022
    He seemed hurried and cut short the time we had to discuss concerns. It seemed like a partial and incomplete visit with little listening and explanation of treatments
    Jun 15, 2022
    While I was very unhappy to need a 2nd surgery I completely trust Dr. Burch and very much appreciated his openness with my situation. He is a kind caring and compassionate surgeon and I'm so grateful to be in his care.
    Jun 08, 2022
    So fortunate to have Dr Burch and his staff help me
    Jun 06, 2022
    Again my entire experience was extremely positive excellent and I would (and already have) recommended UcSF Spine to others.
    May 26, 2022
    There seems to be a disconnect between the Dr. And the support staff.
    May 26, 2022
    Dr is very good it's just the waiting time is too long
    May 21, 2022
    He's the best.
    May 19, 2022
    We are so impressed with Dr. BURCH. NOT ONLY WITH HIS KNOWLEDGE BUT HE. GOES THE EXTRA . HE CARES FOR THE WHOLE PERSON.
    May 19, 2022
    Dr. Burch couldn't be any better. I feel so bless that he is my doctor. I have total confidence in him.
    May 04, 2022
    I had Excellent Service from Dr. Burch on my surgery and the way he explained everything that happened and the follow up service. Yes
    Apr 29, 2022
    Dr. Burch exuded confidence and experience. His explanations were very clear. I'm very excited to have him do my surgery.
    Apr 22, 2022
    Would like to have received written instructions
    Apr 13, 2022
    He explained to me both the upside potential and downside risks of surgery.
    Apr 06, 2022
    Great provider and great pa
    Apr 03, 2022
    Super impressed with Dr Burch and I can hardly wait to get my surgery.
    Mar 30, 2022
    Dr Burch is amazing and takes very good care of me. I've had 3 completely different spinal surgeries with Dr. Burch and he has provided the best possible treatments and outcome.
    Mar 23, 2022
    Physician Assistant was excellent and was very caring and answered and explained everything.
    Mar 19, 2022
    Dr Burch is great
    Mar 18, 2022
    His scheduler let me know he would call me the next day to coordinate the 3 appointments needed prior to surgery. I sent followup my cart email- haven't received phone call or email response yet which causes anxiety due to my pain levels and wanting to move forward. I understand delay may be because of the Dr's patient load and /or insurance but would appreciate a follow up call/ email. Thanks so much!
    Feb 17, 2022
    I like the doctor a lot I just wish I could talk to him more. The nurses/assistants don't accurately convey what I told them so I spend time correcting that with the doctor. I would also prefer getting the imaging done ahead of time so that I can talk with the doctor about it. As it is now he looks at the x-ray quickly but then I get a message in MyChart a few days later after the radiologist looked at it and the interpretations don't match.
    Feb 16, 2022
    Excellent Surgeon! Excellent Person!

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