Emergency icon Important Updates
Close
Important Updates

Coming to a Cleveland Clinic location?

Department Center for Spine Health
Primary Location Hillcrest Hospital
Type of Doctor Adults Only
Languages English
Surgeon Yes
Locations
Hillcrest Hospital
Primary Location

Hillcrest Hospital

Insurance

Insurance

Is Cleveland Clinic Part of Your Insurance?

Review a list of accepted insurance plans for our Northeast Ohio locations or learn more about purchasing a contracted managed care plan.

View All Plans
Education & Professional Highlights

Education & Professional Highlights

Appointed
2024

Education & Fellowships

Residency - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Neurosurgery
Columbus, OH United States
2009

Fellowship - The Ohio State University Medical Center
Endovascular neurosurgery
Columbus, OH
2007

Internship - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
General Surgery
Columbus, OH United States
2004

Medical Education - The Ohio State University College of Medicine
Columbus, OH United States
2003

Undergraduate - Yale University
Biology
New Haven, CT United States
1998

Certifications

  • Neurosurgery
Research & Publications

Research & Publications

See publications for Chris Karas, MD.

(Disclaimer: This search is powered by PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed is a third-party website with no affiliation with Cleveland Clinic.)

Industry Relationships

Industry Relationships

Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists may collaborate with the pharmaceutical or medical device industries to help develop medical breakthroughs or provide medical expertise or education. Cleveland Clinic strives to make scientific advances that will benefit patient care and support outside relationships that promise public benefit. In order for the discoveries of Cleveland Clinic physicians' and scientists' laboratories and investigations to benefit the public, these discoveries must be commercialized in partnership with industry. As experts in their fields, Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists are often sought after by industry to consult, provide expertise and education.

To assure professional and commercial integrity in such matters, Cleveland Clinic maintains a program that reviews these collaborations and, when appropriate, puts measures in place to minimize bias that may result from ties to industry. Cleveland Clinic publicly discloses the names of companies when (i) its physicians/scientists receive $5,000 or more per year (or, in rare cases, equity or stock options) for speaking and consulting, (ii) its physicians/scientists serve as a fiduciary, (iii) its physicians/scientists receive or have the right to receive royalties or (iv) its physicians/ scientists hold any equity interest for the physician's/scientist's role as inventor, discoverer, developer, founder or consultant.* In publicly disclosing this information, Cleveland Clinic tries to provide information as accurately as possible about its physicians' and scientists' connections with industry.

As of 10/4/2024, Dr. Karas has reported the financial relationships with the companies listed below. In general, patients should feel free to contact their doctor about any of the relationships and how the relationships are overseen by Cleveland Clinic. To learn more about Cleveland Clinic's policies on collaborations with industry and innovation management, go to our Integrity in Innovation page.

Royalty Payments. Dr. Karas receives or has the right to receive royalty payments for inventions or discoveries commercialized through the companies shown below:

  • SeaSpine Holdings

Public Health Service-Reportable Financial Conflicts of Interest. Cleveland Clinic scientists and physicians engage in basic, translational and clinical research activities, working to solve health problems, enhance patient care and improve quality of life for patients. Interactions with industry are essential to bringing the researchers' discoveries to the public, but can present the potential for conflicts of interest related to their research activities. Click here to view a listing of instances where Cleveland Clinic has identified a Public Health Service (PHS)-Reportable Financial Conflict of Interest and has put measures in place to ensure that, to the extent possible, the design, conduct and reporting of the research is free from bias.

* Cleveland Clinic physicians and scientists subscribe to the guidance presented in the PhRMA Code on Interactions with Healthcare Professionals and the AdvaMed Code of Ethics on Interactions with Health Care Professionals. As such, gifts of substantial value are generally prohibited.

Patient Satisfaction Reviews

199 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

The Patient Satisfaction Rating is an average of all responses to the care provider related questions shown below from our nationally-recognized Press Ganey Patient Satisfaction Survey. Patients that are treated in outpatient or hospital environments may receive different surveys, and the volume of responses will vary by question.

Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Cleveland Clinic.

Overall Star Ratings
4.9 out of 5
Explains 4.9
Listens 4.7
Courtesy, Respect & Concern 4.9
Patient Rating of Doctor 4.9

36 Patient Comments

Reviewed on Nov 11, 2024

Very happy with the doctor. He was very well educated took time with us and explained everything.

Reviewed on Nov 4, 2024

The doctor was great

Reviewed on Oct 31, 2024

I received some nonsurgical options that were not provided to me by UPMC. I was referred to another provider for these options. Surgery will be a last option and I like he didn't push it.

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2024

Dr. Karas provided some answers to questions I've been asking for the past two years.

Reviewed on Oct 7, 2024

I was referred to Dr. Karas by my doctor so I got a very good response from his office to get an appointment quickly.

Reviewed on Oct 4, 2024

Dr.Karas is a very good listener and explains things that needs to be done

Reviewed on Oct 3, 2024

It was nice to finally see what was going on with my back and discuss options going forward. I was at another hospital before this and for 10 months got 0 answers. Thank you for the answers and options going forward

Reviewed on Sep 26, 2024

Dr Karas and staff were excellent. Worth the 3 hour drive to see him

Reviewed on Sep 6, 2024

The staff and Dr. Karas are all wonderful and respectful.

Reviewed on Aug 30, 2024

The whole office was very attentive to my needs as was dr Karas very happy with my experience

Reviewed on Aug 26, 2024

Great doctor and takes time explaining everything I been recommending him to people what a great doctor he is.

Reviewed on Aug 12, 2024

Dr. Karas was great. Very caring and very good at what he does!!!

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2024

Dr. Chris Karas provided all 7 of the above indicators to a higher degree than "Very Good". I have had the need for many health care providers in my lifetime. Rarely have I had a physician such as Dr. Karas.

Reviewed on Jul 25, 2024

Dr. Karas was very thorough in explaining my issues.

Reviewed on Jul 22, 2024

Dr Karas takes the time to explain. It's complicated

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2024

Just the best experience. The doctor took time to fully listen and explained everything to me. He also included my husband and daughter.

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2024

Dr. Karas is a one in a million doctor! Caring, informative and listens to you! Never a rushed visit! He's definitely a keeper!

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2024

Dr. Karas is an excellent doctor! He thoroughly listed to my concerns. He ordered x-rays and an MRI to try and determine the cause of my pain.

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2024

I am really impressed with Dr Karas, I feel like he really listens to me, at my first appointment he gave me all my options and when I chose to try reprograming with my current implant, he agreed that that was the best option at the time. I was impressed he wasn't going straight for any kind of surgery! When the reprogramming did not work, I saw him at this appointment he explained all my opions so that I understood and answered all my questions. The visti with him was one my only appointments I have ever had that I felt like the doctor actually listened to me.

Reviewed on Jun 13, 2024

I would recommend Dr Karas and his staff to anyone!

Reviewed on May 16, 2024

I was so impressed with Dr. Karis I referred him to a friend.

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

Dr and staff were really good at explaining everything and very nice

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

Dr. Karas was excellent. He had thoroughly reviewed my case and knew what options were available. He was focused on my chronic pain and took considerable time explaining to my wife and I our options for how best to handle it.

Reviewed on May 6, 2024

Dr Karas has given me a new outlook and a glimmer of some hope. He diagnosed my issue, confirmed what is really happening and has a clear plan for what is to come.

Reviewed on May 6, 2024

Dr. Karas always projects a feeling of calm and confidence when discussing treatment options. He answers all questions with a detailed explanation.

Reviewed on Apr 22, 2024

Dr listened to my fathers concerns and was open to discussions on potential outcomes

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2024

Excellent doctor.

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2024

Dr Karas is very professional, polite, interested in your well being. He is a doctor that has great bedside manner and truly makes you know he cares.

Reviewed on Apr 12, 2024

I have great respect for Dr Kara's he really shows that he is concerned about you and your well being. The nurses and front staff are also very pleasant, efficient, and truly show they care.

Reviewed on Apr 11, 2024

Dr Karas & his staff were awesome. He didn't rush our appt even though we were squeezed in last minute. He listened to our concerns & questions and explained my situation in detail. Explained my options in detail allowing us to make an informed decision. Without any pressure as to the choice.

Reviewed on Mar 22, 2024

Dr Karras bedside' manner is off the charts! Heard he is not only the top neurosurgeon in Ohio but has a fantastic personality. True. He was so good explaining everything especially to my wife!Thank you.

Reviewed on Mar 21, 2024

Dr. Karas was pleasant and knowledgable & took time to explain the surgery he recommends in detail.

Reviewed on Mar 4, 2024

Dr. Karas was absolutely fantastic. He explained in full detail the issues I've been experiencing. I've met with many doctors in Chicago and I've always been a little confused by whether I should go ahead and have a laminectomy or not.After spending an hour with Dr. Karas, my vision of the situation was clear and I was able to fully commit to surgery, which was completed on April 1.I hope other patients in my situation have the privilege of meeting Dr. Karas and receiving his wisdom.

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2024

Dr Karas spent more time than all previous surgeons put together. Reviewed all my imaging and his concerns. Reviewed all options of going forward and a plan to get me on a better track.

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2024

The doctor was amazing and didn't rush me out. If I decide on surgery, I would want him to do it. Very compassionate and caring.

Reviewed on Feb 19, 2024

Dr. Karas was so thorough and kind. I would definitely recommend him to any of my friends or family.

Back to Top