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David L. Rothberg, MD

David L. Rothberg, MD

Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery

David L Rothberg, MD. - His area of clinical expertise includes pelvic and acetabular fractures, nonunion and malunion, peri-articular fractures, pediatric orthopaedic trauma, and post-traumatic reconstruction. He is an Associate Professor and the Residency Program Director in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Utah and the Orthopaedic Trauma Liaison for Primary Children's Hospital, He has a clinical practice at the University of Utah Hospital and Clinics and Primary Children's Hospital.

Dr. Rothberg completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Utah and fellowship in Orthopaedic Trauma at the University of California at Davis. He is currently a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the Orthopaedic Trauma Association and both a member and faculty of AO Trauma.

Board Certification and Academic Information

Academic Departments Orthopaedics - Associate Professor

Board Certification American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
National Board of Medical Examiners

Education History

Fellowship University of California, Davis School of Medicine
Orthopaedic Trauma
Fellow

Residency University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics
Orthopaedic Surgery
Resident

Professional Medical University of North Dakota School of Medicine
Medicine
M.D.

Undergraduate Oregon State University
B.S.

Selected Publications - Journal Articles

Journal Article

  1. Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium METRC, OToole RV, Joshi M, Carlini AR, Murray CK, Allen LE, Huang Y, Scharfstein DO, OHara NN, Gary JL, Bosse MJ, Castillo RC, Bishop JA, Weaver MJ, Firoozabadi R, Hsu JR, Karunakar MA, Seymour RB, Sims SH, Churchill C, Brennan ML, Gonzales G, Reilly RM, Zura RD, Howes CR, Mir HR, Wagstrom EA, Westberg J, Gaski GE, Kempton LB, Natoli RM, Sorkin AT, Virkus WW, Hill LC, Hymes RA, Holzman M, Malekzadeh AS, Schulman JE, Ramsey L, Cuff JAN, Haaser S, Osgood GM, Shafiq B, Laljani V, Lee OC, Krause PC, Rowe CJ, Hilliard CL, Morandi MM, Mullins A, Achor TS, Choo AM, Munz JW, Boutte SJ, Vallier HA, Breslin MA, Frisch HM, Kaufman AM, Large TM, LeCroy CM, Riggsbee C, Smith CS, Crickard CV, Phieffer LS, Sheridan E, Jones CB, Sietsema DL, Reid JS, Ringenbach K, Hayda R, Evans AR, Crisco MJ, Rivera JC, Osborn PM, Kimmel J, Stawicki SP, Nwachuku CO, Wojda TR, Rehman S, Donnelly JM, Caroom C, Jenkins MD, Boulton CL, Costales TG, LeBrun CT, Manson TT, Mascarenhas DC, Nascone JW, Pollak AN, Sciadini MF, Slobogean GP, Berger PZ, Connelly DW, Degani Y, Howe AL, Marinos DP, Montalvo RN, Reahl GB, Schoonover CD, Schroder LK, Vang S, Bergin PF, Graves ML, Russell GV, Spitler CA, Hydrick JM, Teague D, Ertl W, Hickerson LE, Moloney GB, Weinlein JC, Zelle BA, Agarwal A, Karia RA, Sathy AK, Au B, Maroto M, Sanders D, Higgins TF, Haller JM, Rothberg DL, Weiss DB, Yarboro SR, McVey ED, Lester-Ballard V, Goodspeed D, Lang GJ, Whiting PS, Siy AB, Obremskey WT, Jahangir AA, Attum B, Burgos EJ, Molina CS, Rodriguez-Buitrago A, Gajari V, Trochez KM, Halvorson JJ, Miller AN, Goodman JB, Holden MB, McAndrew CM, Gardner MJ, Ricci WM, Spraggs-Hughes A, Collins SC, Taylor TJ, Zadnik M (2021). Effect of Intrawound Vancomycin Powder in Operatively Treated High-risk Tibia Fractures: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Surg, e207259.
  2. Kellam PJ, Dekeyser GJ, Haller JM, Rothberg DL, Higgins TF, Marchand LS (2020). Predicting Syndesmotic Injury in OTA/AO 44-B2.1 (Danis-Weber B) Fractures. J Orthop Trauma, Publish Ahead of Print.
  3. Kellam PJ, Dekeyser GJ, Bailey TL, Haller JM, Rothberg DL, Higgins TF, Marchand LS (2021). Is the Fibular Station on Lateral Ankle Radiographs Symmetric? A Retrospective Observational Radiographic Study. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 478(12), 2859-2865.
  4. DeKeyser GJ, Wilson JM, Kellam PJ, Spencer C, Haller JM, Rothberg DL, Wagner ER, Higgins TF, Marchand LS (2020). Young Intertrochanteric Femur Fractures are Associated with Fewer Complications than Young Femoral Neck Fractures. (Epub ahead of print) J Orthop Trauma.
  5. Anderson JT, Hudyk AR, Haas AR, Ahn NU, Rothberg DL, Gililland JM (2020). Displaced Femoral Neck Fractures in Workers' Compensation Patients Aged 45-65 Years: Is It Best to Fix the Fracture or Replace the Joint? J Arthroplasty, 35(11), 3195-3203.
  6. Kellam PJ, Dekeyser GJ, Rothberg DL, Higgins TF, Haller JM, Marchand LS (2020). Symmetry and reliability of the anterior distal tibial angle and plafond radius of curvature. Injury, 51(10), 2309-2315.
  7. Makarewich CA, Stotts AK, Yoo M, Nelson RE, Rothberg DL (2019). Inpatient Versus Outpatient Treatment of Gartland Type II Supracondylar Humerus Fractures: A Cost and Safety Comparison. J Pediatr Orthop, 40(5), 211-217.
  8. Marchand LS, Working ZM, Rane AA, Elliott IS, Gilbertson E, Rothberg DL, Higgins TF, Haller JM (2019). Compartment Syndrome in Tibial Plateau Fractures: Do Previously Established Predictors Have External Validity? J Orthop Trauma, 34(5), 238-243.
  9. Marchand LS, Jacobson LG, Stuart AR, Haller JM, Higgins TF, Rothberg DL (2019). Assessing Femoral Rotation: A Survey Comparison of Techniques. J Orthop Trauma, 34(3), e96-e101.
  10. Haller JM, Githens M, Rothberg D, Higgins T, Nork S, Barei D (2019). Pilon Fractures in Patients Older Than 60 Years of Age: Should We Be Fixing These? J Orthop Trauma, 34(3), 121-125.
  11. Haller JM, Ross H, Jacobson K, Ou Z, Rothberg D, Githens M (2020). Supination adduction ankle fractures: Ankle fracture or pilon variant? Injury, 51(3), 759-763.
  12. Kellam PJ, Haller JM, Rothberg DL, Higgins TF, Marchand LS (2019). Posterior Malleolar Fracture Morphology in Tibial Shaft Versus Rotational Ankle Fractures: The Significance of the Computed Tomography Scan. J Orthop Trauma, 33(12), e459-e465.
  13. Jones DL, Jones WA, Fleming KI, Higgins TF, Rothberg DL, Zhang Y, Pannucci CJ (2019). Underdosing of Prophylactic Enoxaparin Is Common in Orthopaedic Trauma and Predicts 90-Day Venous Thromboembolism. J Orthop Trauma, 33(11), 570-576.
  14. Haller JM, Githens M, Rothberg D, Higgins T, Nork S, Barei D (2019). Risk Factors for Tibial Plafond Nonunion: Medial Column Fixation May Reduce Nonunion Rates. J Orthop Trauma, 33(9), 443-449.
  15. Kellam PJ, Haller JM, Rothberg DL, Higgins TF, Marchand LS (2019). Posterior Malleolar Fracture Morphology in Tibial Shaft versus Rotational Ankle Fractures: The Significant of the Computed Tomography Scan. (Epub ahead of print) J Orthop Trauma.
  16. Bettin C, Nelson R, Rothberg D, Barg A, Lyman M, Saltzman C (2019). Cost Comparison of Surgically Treated Ankle Fractures Managed in an Inpatient Versus Outpatient Setting. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 27(3), e127-e134.
  17. Rothberg DL, Stuart AR, Presson AP, Haller JM, Higgins TF, Kubiak EN (2019). A Comparison of the Open Semi-extended Parapatellar Versus Standard Entry Tibial Nailing Techniques and Knee Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Orthop Trauma, 33(1), 31-36.
  18. Isaacson BM, Lin SC, Rothberg DL (10/1/2018). Addressing the Amputation Epidemic in America in a Fee-for-Value Market. J Prosth Orthot, 30(4), 172-174.
  19. Issacson B, Lin S, Rothberg DL (10/1/2018). Improvement in Functional Outcomes with the Infinite Socket. J Prosth Orthot, 30(4), 181-186.
  20. Marchand LS, Todd DC, Kellam P, Adeyemi TF, Rothberg DL, Maak TG (2018). Is the Lesser Trochanter Profile a Reliable Means of Restoring Anatomic Rotation After Femur Fracture Fixation? Clin Orthop Relat Res, 476(6), 1253-1261.
  21. Williams DL, Taylor NB, Epperson RT, Rothberg DL (2018). Flash autoclave settings may influence eradication but not presence of well-established biofilms on orthopaedic implant material. J Orthop Res, 36(5), 1543-1550.
  22. Norris BL, Lang G, Russell TAT, Rothberg DL, Ricci WM, Borrelli J Jr (2018). Absolute Versus Relative Fracture Fixation: Impact on Fracture Healing. J Orthop Trauma, 32 Suppl 1, S12-S16.
  23. Haller JM, Marchand L, Rothberg DL, Kubiak EN, Higgins TF (2017). Inflammatory cytokine response is greater in acute tibial plafond fractures than acute tibial plateau fractures. J Orthop Res, 35(12), 2613-2619.
  24. Marchand LS, Rane AA, Working ZM, Jacobson LG, Kubiak EN, Higgins TF, Rothberg DL (2017). Radiographic Investigation of the Distal Extension of Fractures Into the Articular Surface of the Tibia (The RIDEFAST Study). J Orthop Trauma, 31(12), 668-674.
  25. Marchand LS, Working ZM, Rane AA, Jacobson LG, Kubiak EN, Higgins TF, Rothberg DL (2017). Serial Radiographs Do Not Change the Clinical Course of Nonoperative Stable OTA/AO 44-B1 Ankle Fractures. J Orthop Trauma, 31(5), 264-269.
  26. Marchand LS, Rothberg DL, Kubiak EN, Higgins TF (2017). Is This Autograft Worth It?: The Blood Loss and Transfusion Rates Associated With Reamer Irrigator Aspirator Bone Graft Harvest. J Orthop Trauma, 31(4), 205-209.
  27. North K, Kubiak EN, Rothberg DL, Lajevardi-Khosh A, Petelenz TJ, Hitchcock RW, Stuart AR (2017). Longitudinal monitoring of patient limb loading throughout ankle fracture rehabilitation using an insole load monitoring system: a case series. Current Orthopaedic Practice, 28(2), 223-30.
  28. Working ZM, Elliott I, Marchand LS, Jacobson LG, Presson AP, Stuart A, Rothberg DL, Higgins TF, Kubiak EN (2016). Predictors of amputation in high-energy forefoot and midfoot injuries. Injury, 48(2), 536-541.
  29. Working ZM, Elliott I, Marchand LS, Jacobson LG, Presson AP, Stuart A, Rothberg DL, Higgins TF, Kubiak EN (2016). Predictors of amputation in high-energy forefoot and midfoot injuries. LID - S0020-1383(16)30782-3 [pii]LID - 10.1016/j.injury.2016.12.005 [doi]. Injury.
  30. Whale CS, Hulet DA, Beebe MJ, Rothberg DL, Zhang C, Presson AP, Stuart AR, Kubiak EN (2016). Cephalomedullary nail versus sliding hip screw for fixation of AO 31 A1/2 intertrochanteric femoral fracture: a 12-year comparison of failure, complications, and mortality. Current Orthopaedic Practice, 27(6), 604-613.
  31. Beebe MJ, Jenkins P, Rothberg DL, Kubiak EN, Higgins TF (2016). Prospective Assessment of the Oncogenic Risk to Patients From Fluoroscopy During Trauma Surgery. J Orthop Trauma, 30(7), e223-9.
  32. Haller JM, Holt D, Rothberg DL, Kubiak EN, Higgins TF (2016). Does Early versus Delayed Spanning External Fixation Impact Complication Rates for High-energy Tibial Plateau and Plafond Fractures? Clin Orthop Relat Res, 474(6), 1436-44.
  33. Stuart AR, Higgins TF, Hung M, Weir CR, Kubiak EN, Rothberg DL, Saltzman CL (2015). Reliability in Measuring Preinjury Physical Function in Orthopaedic Trauma. J Orthop Trauma, 29(12), 527-32.
  34. Goodwin ML, Jacobson LG, Holt PA, Rothberg DL, Jones KB (09/01/2015). Knot Tying 101: Hip to be square. Orthopaedic Knowledge Online, 13(9), 2.
  35. Rothberg DL, Lee MA (2015). Internal fixation of osteoporotic fractures. Current Osteoporosis Reports, 13(1), 16-21.
  36. Rothberg DL, Yoo BJ (2014). Posterior facet cartilage injury in operatively treated intra-articular calcaneus fractures. Foot Ankle Int, 35(10), 970-4.
  37. Goodwin ML, Rothberg DL (2014). Lactate metabolism in trauma. J Trauma Acute Care Surg, 77(1), 182-3.
  38. Rothberg DL, Holt DC, Horwitz DS, Kubiak EN (2013). Tibial nailing with the knee semi-extended: review of techniques and indications: AAOS exhibit selection. J Bone Joint Surg Am, 95(16), e116(1-8).
  39. Rothberg DL, Daubs GM, Horwitz DS, Kubiak EN (2013). One-year postoperative knee pain in patients with semi-extended tibial nailing versus control group. Orthopaedics, 36(5), e548-53.
  40. Rothberg DL, Kubiak EN, Peters CL, Randall RL, Aoki SK (2013). Reducing the risk of bone cement implantation syndrome during femoral arthroplasty. Orthopaedics, 36(4), e463-7.
  41. Davitt JS, Rothberg DL (2010). Treatment of talar osteochondral lesions in athletes: approaches for treatment. Oper Tech Sports Med, 18, 53-59.

Book Chapter

  1. Rothberg D, Higgins TF (2013). Fractures of the Proximal Humerus. In Leslie MP, Dodds SD (Eds.), Emerging Concepts in upper Extremity Trauma (44, pp. 9-19). Philadelphia: Elsevier.

Clinical Trials

Medial Parapatellar Approach to Intramedullary Tibial Nailing: Is there a difference in anterior knee pain when compared to a traditional approach?

Description: Enrolling by invitation
Keywords: Tibia fractures, knee pain, tibial nailing
Principal Investigator: David Rothberg

Videos & News

Level 1 Trauma Experts: Your Life-saving Team

Level 1 trauma centers treat the most critical injuries that can happen: severe car accidents, falls from high places and other accidents with extreme injuries. These cases require immediate, expert care from multiple disciplines to get the patient stabilized and on the road to recovery. Dr. David Rothberg, orthopedic surgeon at the University of Utah, walks us through what it is like to be a part of a Level 1 trauma center team.

Ignoring this Small Skiing Injury Could Lead to Lifelong Problems

There's a common skiing injury that can quickly develop into a chronic and painful condition if ignored. The problem is many times it’s shrugged off as a tweak or strain, so it goes untreated and develops into a life changing injury that might prevent you from skiing again. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Rothberg describes the symptoms of skier's thumb, how it happens and why it’s so important to get it looked at immediately after you first notice the symptoms.

How Your New Skis Could Really Hurt You

New parabolic skis allow skiers to have more control on the slope, but the new shape may lead to injuries, even for experienced skiers. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. David Rothberg discusses training to prevent these types of injuries and the importance of posture on parablobic skis.

Physician Profile: David Rothberg

Dr. David Rothberg talks about his medical philosophy and what makes his practice unique.

university-of-utah-pediatric-ortho David L. Rothberg, MD Profile in University of Utah Website

David L. Rothberg, MD Practice Location
  • Peds Ortho-Primary
    Children's Hospital

    100 N. Mario Capecchi Dr
    Suite 4550
    SLC UT 84113

    Tel:

university-of-utah

Pediatric Orthopaedics Clinic locations

  • Idaho Falls Community Hospital Pediatric Specialty Center

    2330 Desoto Street
    Idaho Falls, ID 83404

    Tel :

  • Primary Children's Hospital (PCH)

    100 N. Mario Capecchi Drive
    Suite 4550,
    Salt Lake City, UT  84113

    Tel :

  • Lehi Primary Children’s Hospital

    2250 N Miller Campus Dr
    Suite 300,
    Lehi, UT 84043

    Tel :

  • Utah Valley Outpatient Center (Provo)

    1157 N. 300 W.
    Suite 302,
    Provo, UT 84604

    Tel :

  • Layton Intermountain Hospital (Layton)

    201 W. Layton Parkway,
    Suite 3B,
    Layton, UT 84041

    Tel :

  • Outreach Clinic - Missoula MT

    2360 Mullan Rd
    Suite C,
    Missoula MT 59808

    Tel :

  • Outreach Clinic - St. George

    1380 E Medical Center Drive,
    Bldg 1; St.
    George UT 84790

    Tel :

  • Outreach Clinic - Moab

    Moab Regional Hosp,
    450 Williams Way,
    Moab UT 84532

    Tel :

  • Outreach Clinic - Blanding

    San Juan Health Dept.,
    735 S 200 W Ste 2,
    Blanding UT 84511

    Tel :

  • Outreach clinic - Vernal

    Tricounty Health Dept.,
    133 S 500 E,
    Vernal UT 84078

    Tel :

  • Outreach Clinic- Idaho Falls, ID

    Pediatric Specialty Clinic,
    Eastern ID Regional Medical Center,
    2330 Desoto St.
    Idaho Falls 83401

    Tel :