Christian Hellum

Christian Hellum is a Professor at the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Oslo. His research focuses on spinal surgery, particularly degenerative diseases like spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. He has led large-scale clinical trials such as the NORDSTEN study, investigating surgical techniques and patient outcomes. His work emphasizes radiological and clinical outcomes, including the role of imaging (MRI), surgical decision-making, and long-term follow-up. Key areas include decompression techniques, fusion vs. non-fusion surgeries, and the impact of preoperative factors like fatty muscle infiltration on recovery.

Recent studies highlight his contributions to understanding dural sac morphology changes post-surgery, adjacent level degeneration, and the clinical significance of redundant nerve roots. He collaborates extensively with colleagues in Norway and internationally, publishing in journals like JAMA Network Open and the New England Journal of Medicine.

Hellum’s research spans biomechanical factors (e.g., lumbar lordosis), patient-reported outcomes (Oswestry Disability Index), and the evaluation of minimally invasive techniques. His work bridges surgical practice with epidemiological insights, advancing evidence-based strategies for spinal disorders.