Dr. Tan Chen is a double board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon. He joined Inova in 2025 and has been practicing since 2015.

Dr. Chen is a recognized specialist in minimally invasive spine surgery, outpatient procedures, enhanced recovery after surgery, revision surgery and complex spinal reconstructions. Dr. Chen completed his undergraduate studies in neuroscience with high honors at Dartmouth College and Harvard University, followed by his medical degree from Michigan State University. He went on to complete his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Toronto, where he also pursued an elite combined orthopedic and neurosurgical fellowship in complex spine and trauma surgery.

Known for his compassionate, patient-centered approach, Dr. Chen is dedicated to providing exceptional, personalized spine care tailored to each individual’s needs and goals. He combines advanced surgical expertise with the latest minimally invasive techniques to reduce pain, enhance safety and accelerate recovery, helping patients regain mobility, confidence and quality of life as quickly and comfortably as possible.

Dr. Chen has extensive research interests in cutting-edge minimally invasive spinal techniques, motion preservation and arthroplasty, enhanced recovery after surgery, perioperative optimization of patient outcomes, and the management of degenerative and deformity-related spinal conditions. In addition to his busy clinical practice, Dr. Chen holds multiple academic appointments and has an impressive record of scholarly contribution, with more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and over 125 presentations at national and international academic conferences. Dr. Chen’s research pursuits reflect his unwavering passion for delivering individualized, effective and innovative spinal treatments that prioritize patient safety and promote rapid post-operative recovery.

A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Chen has guided numerous pre-medical students, medical students, orthopedic and neurosurgical residents and spine fellows, fostering the next generation of medical professionals and advancing the field of spine surgery.

In his spare time, Dr. Chen enjoys traveling and spending time with his family, as well as Olympic fencing, archery and reading.

Publications

Girgis, M, Vazquez, F, Tang, A, Pamula, A, Strom, R, Chen, T. Level specific Hounsfield unit thresholds as a predictor of subsidence following transforaminal and posterior lumbar interbody fusion. Journal of Orthopaedic Reports. 2025 Aug 4. Accepted in Press.

Pamula, A, Lee, K, Tang, A, Chen, T. Clinical utility and patient compliance with mobile applications for home-based rehabilitation following cervical spine fusion. Clin Spine Surg. 2025 Aug 22. doi: 10.1097/BSD.0000000000001903. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40844160.

Khoylyan, A, Coleman, N, Parry, M, Tang, A, Chen, T. Effects of pre-operative HbA1c on outcomes and the rate of clinical improvement following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. J. Clin. Med. 2025 Jun 28;14(13):4589. doi: 10.3390/jcm14134589. PMID: 40648963; PMCID: PMC12250526.

Waters, J, Khoylyan, A, Maniscalco, K, Adams, W, Pheasant, M, Tang, A, Chen, T. Sacroliac joint fusion: incidence, timing, and risk factors for contralateral fusion. N Am Spine Soc J. Apr 30;22:100614. doi: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2025.100614. PMID: 40520037; PMCID: PMC12167112.
Pheasant, M, Parry, M, Girgis, M, Tang, A, Chen, T. The future of motion preservation and arthroplasty in the degenerative lumbar spine. J Clin Med. 2025 May 11;14(10):3337. doi: 10.3390/jcm14103337. PMID: 40429334; PMCID: PMC12111912.
Vazquez, F, Tang, A, Khoylyan, A, Chen, T. Goutallier grading of PSOAS major and lumbar extensor muscles as a predictor of cage subsidence and reoperation following transforaminal and posterior lumbar interbody fusion. Spine J.2025 Nov;25(11):2514-2526. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2025.04.016. Epub 2025 Apr 17. PMID: 40252812.

Girgis MY, Tang A, Pheasant MS, Koury KL, Jung MT, Chen T. Minimally invasive and navigation-assisted fracture stabilization following traumatic spinopelvic dissociation. J Clin Med. 2025 Feb 15;14(4):1289. doi: 10.3390/jcm14041289. PMID: 40004821; PMCID: PMC11856568.

Khoylyan, A, Salvato, J, Vazquez, F, Girgis, M, Tang, A, Chen, T. Evaluation of GPT-4 concordance with North American Spine Society guidelines for lumbar fusion surgery. N Am Spine Soc J. 2024 Dec 27;21:100580. doi: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2024.100580. PMID: 39911377; PMCID: PMC11795085.

Tang, A, Chen, T. Development of the prone lateral lumbar interbody fusion: a comparison of lateral spine surgery techniques. AME Surgical Journal. 2024;4:27.

Cole A, Parry MW, Tang A, Vazquez F, Chen T. Clinical utility and patient compliance with mobile applications for home-based rehabilitation following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Global Spine J. 2025 May;15(4):2032-2041. doi: 10.1177/21925682241282278. Epub 2024 Sep 6. PMID: 39240058; PMCID: PMC11572109.

Khoylyan, A, Girgis, M, Tang, A, Vazquez, F, Chen, T. The utility of MRI-based vertebral bone quality scores as a predictor of cage subsidence following transforaminal and posterior lumbar interbody fusion. Clin Spine Surg. 2025 Apr 1;38(3):E145-E151. doi: 10.1097/BSD.0000000000001682. Epub 2024 Sep 16. PMID: 39284191.

Bouchard, A, Mun, J, Vazquez, F, Tang, A, DelSole, E, Strom, R, Chen, T. Radiographic robustness of lumbar interbody fusion techniques. Global Spine J. 2025 Jan;15(1):59-65. doi: 10.1177/21925682241226659. Epub 2024 Jan 10. PMID: 38197369; PMCID: PMC11572118.
Chen, T. Is arthritis a pain in your neck (or back)? Help is available. The Silver Circle Magazine. 2023 July;. 4-5.

Awards/Associations

• Top Orthopaedic Surgeon, Top Doctors, 2021 –2025
• Top Research, American Medical Association, 2025
• Outstanding Author, AME Surgical Journal, 2025
• Society Inductee, Marquis Who’s Who, 2024
• Top Research, Eastern Orthopaedic Association, 2024
• Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery
• Fellow, American College of Surgeons
• Fellow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
• Member, North American Spine Society
• Member, AO Spine
• Member, Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery