NICOLE LOOK, M.D.

Dr. Look is a fellowship-trained Orthopedic Spine surgeon. She is a Colorado native who enjoys spending time in the outdoors running and hiking the trails with her husband who is also a Colorado native. They love exploring the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountains.

Dr. Look's clinical expertise includes the diagnosis and treatment of all spine problems. She has advanced training in minimally invasive surgery, deformity correction and fracture care. Dr. Look is dedicated to developing a relationship with her patients to understand their goals and determine the safest and most effective treatment for each individual.

Orthopedic Spine Fellowship

University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.

Orthopedic Surgery Residency

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.

Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)

University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado.

Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics (B.S.)

Cumulative GPA 4.00

Graduated with honors of high distinction, summa cum laude, and Boettcher Scholar

University of Colorado Boulder, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Boulder, Colorado.

December 2021. Enrichment Fund for Women in Surgery. University of Colorado. Granted for research on biomechanics of running in patients with single and two-level lumbar fusions.

November 2018. Peer-Selected Orthopedic Surgery Resident Representative: ACGME CLER.

October 2018. Provider of the Quarter: UCH Orthopedic Surgery Department.

March 2017. Senior Alpha Omega Alpha: peer-selected Vice President.

March 2016. Junior Alpha Omega Alpha.

May 2013. University of Colorado Boulder Chancellor’s Recognition Award: graduated with a GPA 4.00.

May 2013. Outstanding Graduate of Academic Achievement of the College of Engineering.

May 2013. Distinguished Graduating Senior in Applied Mathematics.

May 2013. NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient.

May 2013. Capital One Academic All-American and First Team Academic All-District Track and Field/Cross Country.

May 2012. University of Colorado Buffalo Leadership and Initiative Award of Student Athletes.

2009 – 2013. University of Colorado NCAA Division I Cross Country/Track and Field Athlete.

2009 – 2013. Varsity 4.00 Club and Highest GPA of NCAA Female Athletes.

2009 – 2013. Boettcher Scholarship Recipient.

Book Chapters

Look N and Burger EL. Degenerative Kyphosis and/or Scoliosis. Comprehensive Guide to Adult Spine Deformity. Book chapter in review.

Chavarria J, Look N, Patel V. Bracing for Adult Spinal Deformity. Comprehensive Guide to Adult Spine Deformity. Book chapter in review.

Look, Nicole. “Dear Phase III Student.” Letters to a Third-Year Student, edited by Therese Jones and Anjuli Dhurandhar, 2017, pp. 58 – 59, https://www.cuanschutz.edu/centers/bioethicshumanities/arts-and-humanities/pubs/letters-to-a-third-year.

Journal Publications

Schultz J, Korrell H, Look N, Lalka A, Hild J, Cleary G, Sinclair MK, Sibbel SE. Sinclair M. Outcomes of pediatric proximal phalanx base fractures. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Published online May 14, 2024:10.5435/JAAOS.doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-22-00940.

Look N, McNulty M, Rodriguez Fontan F, Fenoglio A. Radial-sided wrist pain differentials: presentation, pathoanatomy, diagnosis, and management. Medicina (B Aires). 2023;83(1):96-107. English. PMID: 36774602.

Look N, Fontan FR, Baldini T, Lindeque B. Tensile strength of a novel superficial suture pattern compared to traditional suture patterns in a cadaveric human skin model. Injury. 2022 Nov;53(11):3613-3616. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2022.09.026. Epub 2022 Sep 19. PMID: 36163204.

McNulty M, Look N, Strage K, Ipaktchi K, Lauder A. The impact of electric scooters on incidence and severity of orthopedic trauma in Denver, Colorado. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2022;30:897-902. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-21-00838.

Netsanet R, Look N, Koshak C, Patel V. Decompression without fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis at a single mobile segment in adults with ankylosing spondylitis. JBJS Case Connector. Published online August 12, 2022. doi:10.2106/JBJS.CC.21.00800.

Look N, Reisenauer CR, Gorman M. Conservative management of Jones fractures with immediate weight-bearing in a walking boot demonstrates healing. The Foot. Published online October 18, 2021. doi:10.1016/j.foot.2021.101870.

Look N and Shourbaji N. Rapid carpal collapse after non-operative extra-articular distal radius fracture treatment. Orthopedics Today. October 2021; Volume 41, Issue 10.

Look N, Autruong P, Pan X, Chang FM, Carollo JJ. Radiographic and plantar pressure assessment of pes planovalgus severity in children with cerebral palsy. Clinical Biomechanics. 2021;85:105364. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2021.105364.

Look N, Lalka A, Korrell H, Kabrick K, Wheeler A, Bolson R. Outcomes of orthopedic hand surgery in minor procedure rooms at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online. Published online November 22, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.jhsg.2020.10.007.

Look N, Erickson M, Sibbel SE. Presentation and management of displaced lateral condylar mass fractures with ipsilateral displaced olecranon fractures in two pediatric cases. Trauma Case Reports. 2020;25:100278. doi:10.1016/j.tcr.2020.100278.

Look N, Kleck CJ, Burger EL. Surgical intervention for cauda equina syndrome in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy: a report of three cases. JBJS Case Connect. 2018;8(3):e68. doi:10.2106/JBJS.CC.17.00289.

Wegner AM, Look N, Haus BM. Surgical management of multi-joint septic arthritis due to rat-bite fever in a pediatric patient: a case study. Case Rep Orthop. 2017; doi:10.1155/2017/2183941.

Look N, Arellano CJ, Grabowski AM, McDermott WJ, Kram R, Bradley E. Dynamic stability of running: the effects of speed and leg amputations on the maximal Lyapunov exponent. Chaos. 2013;23(4):043131. doi:10.1063/1.4837095.

Arellano CJ, Look NE, Kram R. Does arm swing provide mechanical and metabolic benefits during human running? FASEB J. 2012;26:1145.1-1145.1. doi:10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.1145.1.