J. Riley Martinez, M.D.

Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon, Fellowship-Trained in Back and Neck Surgery

Locations

Schertz Parkway Professional Plaza
5000 Schertz Parkway, #600
Schertz, TX 78154

Resolute Retail Plaza
601 Creekside Crossing #106
New Braunfels, TX 78130

The Orthopaedic Institute
400 Concord Plaza Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78216

Practice Summary:

Dr. J. Riley Martinez is an orthopaedic spine surgeon and is fellowship-trained in back and neck surgery. He treats patients 18 years of age and older.

Dr. Martinez has appointments available at Schertz, New Braunfels, and Quarry Area.

Practice Location: Schertz, New Braunfels, and Quarry Area

Specialty: Back & Neck Surgery

Fellowship Training: Back & Neck Surgery

‍

About Dr. Martinez:

Dr. J Riley Martinez grew up in College Station, Texas, where his early experiences with family, mentors, and community shaped the values that continue to guide him as a physician: working hard, serving others, and treating people with humility, compassion, and respect. He attended Texas A&M University, graduating summa cum laude in Biomedical Sciences, before pursuing his medical degree at UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas.

Dr. Martinez completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health, a rigorous, high-volume academic training environment that provided extensive experience caring for patients with complex orthopaedic and spine conditions. During residency, he also spent four months in Auckland, New Zealand, providing orthopaedic and spine care, gaining valuable international clinical experience.

He went on to complete fellowship training in spine surgery at Norton Leatherman Spine in Louisville, Kentucky, one of the country’s most historically distinguished and internationally recognized spine programs. Norton Leatherman has played an important role in the evolution of modern spine care and provided Dr. Martinez with advanced training in the treatment of complex spinal disorders. He has presented at national and international meetings and remains committed to education and the continued advancement of spine care.

Today, Dr. Martinez is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon with TSAOG Orthopaedics & Spine in San Antonio, where he treats adult conditions of the neck and back. For Dr. Martinez, the most important part of being a spine surgeon is the relationship with his patients. He believes surgery should be recommended thoughtfully and only when it is truly appropriate. His goal is to listen closely, explain treatment options clearly, and develop an individualized plan that puts the patient’s goals and quality of life first. Outside of medicine, Dr. Martinez is a husband and father who values time spent with his family, learning and growing.

Education Information:

Medical School: UT Southwestern Medical School
Residency: UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Health
- Orthopaedic Surgery
Fellowship: Norton Leatherman Spine in Louisville, Kentucky
- Spine Surgery

Specialty Procedure

Anterior and posterior cervical spine surgery
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
Posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion
Cervical decompression
Cervical foraminotomy
Cervical laminotomy
Cervical discectomy
Cervical laminoplasty
Cervical corpectomy and fusion
Cervical disc arthroplasty / replacement
C1–C2 / atlantoaxial fusion
Occipitocervical fusion
Cervical fracture fixation and reconstruction

Thoracic Spine Surgery

Anterior and posterior thoracic spine surgery
Thoracic decompression
Thoracic laminectomy and fusion
Thoracic discectomy
Thoracic corpectomy and reconstruction
Costotransversectomy
Thoracic fracture fixation and reconstruction
Thoracic tumor decompression and resection

Lumbar Spine Surgery

Anterior and posterior lumbar spine surgery
Lumbar decompression
Lumbar laminectomy
Lumbar laminotomy
Lumbar foraminotomy
Lumbar facetectomy
Lumbar discectomy / microdiscectomy
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF)
Midline lumbar interbody fusion (MidLIF)
Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF)
Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF)
Posterior lumbar fusion
Lumbar disc arthroplasty / replacement
Lumbar fracture fixation and reconstruction
Sacroiliac joint fusion

Spinal Deformity & Reconstruction

Degenerative spinal deformity surgery
Adult spinal deformity correction
Spinal reconstruction
Anterior column reconstruction
360° / circumferential fusion
Corpectomy / vertebrectomy
Osteotomy procedures
Smith-Petersen / Ponte osteotomy / Posterior column osteotomy (PCO)
Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO)
Spinopelvic fixation
Sagittal alignment and balance correction

Spinal Trauma & Fracture Surgery

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of spinal fractures
Cervical fracture fixation
Thoracic fracture fixation
Lumbar fracture fixation
Spinal fracture decompression
Spinal fracture reconstruction
Pedicle screw fixation
Cortical screw fixation
Percutaneous spinal instrumentation
Rods and screws instrumented fixation
Complex spinal trauma reconstruction

Revision & Complex Spine Surgery

Revision spine surgery
Failed back surgery
Revision decompression
Revision fusion
Pseudoarthrosis / nonunion repair
Adjacent segment disease surgery
Rod fracture repair
Hardware removal / replacement
Spinal instrumentation revision
Complex spinal reconstruction

Minimally Invasive & Advanced Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS)
Minimally invasive lumbar fusion
Percutaneous spinal instrumentation
Percutaneous pedicle and cortical screw fixation
Robot-assisted spine surgery
Navigation-assisted spine surgery
Intraoperative imaging and navigation
Motion-preserving spine surgery
Cervical disc arthroplasty / replacement
Lumbar disc arthroplasty / replacement
Ultrasonic bone scalpel-assisted spine surgery

Spinal Tumor & Other Complex Conditions

Spinal tumor decompression
Spinal tumor resection
Vertebral body resection
Corpectomy / vertebrectomy
Spinal reconstruction following tumor resection
Spinal infection decompression and reconstruction
Epidural abscess decompression
Congenital spinal deformity and decompression surgery

‍

Treatment

Neck & back pain
Radiculopathy / sciatica
Disc herniations
Cervical & thoracic myelopathy
Neurogenic claudication
Spinal stenosis / nerve compression
Spondylolisthesis
Spine fractures
Spine infections

Conditions Treated

Cervical

Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve in the neck / shooting arm pain, numbness, weakness)
Cervical spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck)
Cervical myelopathy (spinal cord compression in the neck)
Cervical disc herniation, protrusion, extrusion, sequestration (herniated / bulging / slipped disc in the neck)
Cervical spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra in the neck)
Cervical instability
Cervical degenerative disc disease (disc degeneration / wear-and-tear in the neck)
Uncovertebral joint hypertrophy (enlarged joints in the neck that can narrow the nerve openings)
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL)
Central cord syndrome
Neck pain
Neck strain / whiplash injury
Cervical muscle strain (pulled muscle or muscle spasm in the neck)

Thoracic

Thoracic radiculopathy (pinched nerve in the mid-back)
Thoracic spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the mid-back)
Thoracic myelopathy (spinal cord compression in the mid-back)
Thoracic disc herniation, protrusion, extrusion, sequestration (herniated / bulging disc in the mid-back)
Thoracic spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra in the mid-back)
Thoracic degenerative disc disease (disc degeneration / wear-and-tear in the mid-back)
Upper back pain / mid-back pain
Thoracic muscle strain (pulled muscle or muscle spasm in the mid-back)

Lumbar

Lumbar radiculopathy (pinched nerve in the low back / sciatica / shooting leg pain, numbness, weakness)
Lumbar spinal stenosis with neurogenic claudication (narrowing of the spinal canal in the low back / leg pain and cramping when walking)
Lumbar disc herniation, protrusion, extrusion, sequestration (herniated / bulging / slipped disc in the low back)
Lumbar spondylolisthesis (degenerative or isthmic) (slipped vertebra)
Lumbar spondylolysis (stress fracture or small crack in the vertebra (pars defect))
Degenerative disc disease (disc degeneration / wear-and-tear of the spine)
Low back pain
Lumbar muscle strain (pulled muscle or muscle spasm in the low back)

General

Acute and chronic back pain
Spine trauma
Spinal cord injury
Spine fractures (compression fractures, burst fractures, Chance fractures)
Spinal tumors
Spinal infections / Vertebral osteomyelitis
Congenital spinal stenosis
Pars defects/spondylolysis
Spinal cord myelomalacia (softening of the spinal cord from chronic compression)
Spinal cord signal change (abnormal signal within the spinal cord seen on MRI, often related to compression)
Central canal stenosis (narrowing of the main spinal canal)
Lateral recess stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal where the nerve root branches off the thecal sac)
Foraminal stenosis (narrowing of the opening where the nerve exits the spine)
Facet arthropathy (arthritis of the small joints in the spine)
Ligamentum flavum thickening (thickening of a ligament inside the spinal canal, a common cause of stenosis)
Facet cyst (fluid-filled cyst arising from the facet joint that can cause nerve compression; usually a sign of spinal instability)
Degenerative scoliosis / deformity (curvature of the spine that develops with age from wear and tear)
Annular tear (tear in the outer wall of a spinal disc)
Schmorl’s node (disc material pushing into the vertebra above or below)
Modic changes (vertebral bone marrow changes seen on MRI, often tied to disc degeneration)
Osteoarthritis of the spine (spinal arthritis)
Spinal osteophytes (bone spurs)
Disc osteophyte complex (combined disc bulge and bone spur pressing on the spinal canal or a nerve)
Adjacent segment disease (degeneration above or below a prior fusion)
Nonunion / pseudoarthrosis after spinal fusion (failure of fusion)
Hardware failure after spine surgery

Awards/Recognition

American Orthopaedic Association’s Emerging Leaders: Selected November 2024
UTSW Orthopedic Surgery Administrative Chief Resident 2024-2025
ORTHOPEDICS Blue Ribbon Article Award July/August 2019, Orthopedics
Summa Cum Laude, Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University Academic Excellence Award
Undergraduate Research Scholar 2014-2015, Texas A&M University

Support Staff

Clinical Coordinator

Phone: 210-630-4290
Fax: 833-455-9867

Scheduling

Phone: 210-281-9595
Fax: 844-772-0899

‍

Referral and Authorizations

Phone: 210-804-5600
Fax: 866-624-0593

Billing Specialist

Phone: 210-396-5369
Fax: 210-804-6801

Provider Videos

Publications, Books & Presentations

Peer-Reviewed Publications:

Martinez JR, Nakonezny PA, Batty M, Wells J. The Dimension of the Press Ganey Survey Most Important in Evaluating Patient Satisfaction in the Academic Outpatient Orthopedic Surgery Setting. Orthopedics. 2019 Jul 1;42(4):198-204. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20190625-03.
Martinez JR, Reddy N, Mulligan E, Hynan L, Wells J. Sleep quality and nocturnal pain in patients with hip osteoarthritis. Medicine. 2019 Oct;98:41(e17464). doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000017464.
Tisano B, Nakonezny P, Gross B, Martinez JR, Wells J. Depression and Non-modifiable Patient Factors Associated with Patient Satisfaction in an Academic Orthopaedic Outpatient Clinic: Is it More Than a Provider Issue?. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 2019 Dec;477:12(p2653-2661). doi: 10.1097/CORR.0000000000000927.
Reddy N, Martinez JR, Mulligan E, Nakonezny P, Wells J. Sleep quality and nocturnal pain in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and acetabular dysplasia. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2020 Feb;21:134. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-3151-6.
Venishetty N, Beale J, Martinez JR, Mounasamy V, Sambandam S. Understanding Factors that impact the length of stay after total hip arthroplasty – A national in patient sample-based study. Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma. 2023 Nov;46. DOI:10.1016/j.jcot.2023.102284.
Venishetty N, Wukich D, Martinez JR, Beale J, Toutoungy M, Mounasamy V, Sambandam S. Total Knee Arthroplasty in dialysis patients: a national in-patient sample-based study of perioperative complications. Knee Surgery & Related Research. 2023 Aug 2;35(1):22. doi: 10.1186/s43019-023-00196-0. PMID: 37533126; PMCID: PMC10394770.
Venishetty N, Toutoungy M, Martinez JR, Beale J, Wukich D, Mounasamy V, Huo M, Sambandam S. Total Hip Arthroplasty in Nonagenarians – a national in-patient sample-based study of perioperative complications. Geriatric Orthopaedic Surgery & Rehabilitation. 2023 May 22;14:21514593231178624. doi: 10.1177/21514593231178624.
Chowdary AR, Beale J, Martinez, JR, Aggarwal V, Mounasamy V, Sambandam S. Postoperative complications of spinal vs general anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing hip hemiarthroplasty. Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery. 2023 Apr 15; 143(9):5615-5621. https://doi:10.1007/s00402-023-04876-0.
Chowdary AR, Sakthivelnathan V, Beale J, Martinez JR, Mounasamy V, Sambandam S. Analysis of inpatient complications in HIV/AIDS patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty – A propensity matched cohort study. Journal of Clinical Orthopaedics and Trauma. 2023 May 12;40:102168. doi: 10.1016/j.jcot.2023.102168.
Martinez JR, Aslan S, Filbey F, Puzziferri N. Longitudinal effects of surgical weight loss on brain structure. Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 2018 Oct; 227(4):S22. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2018.07.027.

Posters & Presentations:

Martinez JR, Glassman SD, Djurasovic M, Gum JL, Mathew J, Adams S, Sirjani BB, Sobowale A, Tomberlin C, Carreon L. No Additional Benefit With S2AI Screws in Mid-Lumbar to Sacral Fusions. Clinical Orthopaedic Society 114^th Annual Meeting. 2026 Aug 28. Louisville, KY. [Podium Presentation]
Martinez JR. Tackling the difficult surgical management of spine patients with short stature. Seattle Science Foundation. 2026 Apr 28. [Presenter]
Martinez JR, McClung A, Thornberg D, Jo CH, Sucato D. Fusion Short of the Last Vertebra Touched by the CSVL Is Successful for Lenke 1A-R Curves when Risser 1 or Greater. [Poster Presentation]. 59^th Annual Scoliosis Research Society; 2024 Sep 14. Barcelona, Spain.
Martinez JR, Brooks J. Neuromuscular Scoliosis. [Podium Presentation]. Texas Scottish Rite Hospital Grand Rounds; 2023 Apr 11. Dallas, TX.
Martinez JR, McClung A, Thornberg D, Jo CH, Sucato D. Last instrumented vertebra selection in old King IV curve – the so called Lenke 1AR. [Podium Presentation]. Brandon Carrell Visiting Professorship; 2023 May 12. Dallas, TX.
Martinez JR, Riccio A. Case Presentation: Post-traumatic ankle varus deformity. [Podium Presentation]. Brandon Carrell Visiting Professorship; 2023 May 13. Dallas, TX.
Martinez JR, Reddy N, Mulligan E, Hynan L, Wells J. Sleep quality and nocturnal pain in patients with hip osteoarthritis [Poster Presentation]. In: 37^th Annual Mid-America Orthopaedic Association Meeting; 2019 Apr 10-14.; Miramar Beach, FL.
Martinez JR, Reddy N, Mulligan E, Hynan L, Wells J. The association of hip osteoarthritis and sleep quality [Podium Presentation]. In: Texas Orthopaedic Association’s 2019 Annual Conference; 2019 Feb 1-2; Houston, TX.
Martinez JR, Aslan S, Filbey F, Puzziferri N. Longitudinal effects of surgical weight loss on brain structure [Podium Presentation]. In: American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress; 2018 Oct 21-25; Boston, MA.
Martinez JR, Reddy N, Mulligan E, Hynan L, Wells J. Sleep quality in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip [ePoster Presentation]. In: International Society for Hip Arthroscopy Annual Scientific Meeting; 2018 Oct 4-6; Melbourne, Australia.
Martinez JR, Reddy N, Mulligan E, Hynan L, Wells J. Sleep quality in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip [Poster Presentation]. In: 13^th Congress of the European Hip Society; 2018 Sep 20-22; The Hague, Netherlands.
Martinez JR, Reddy N, Mulligan E, Hynan L, Wells J. Sleep quality in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip [EHS Congress 2018 – Abstract Book]. HIP International. 2018 Sep 20;28(1):3-187. doi:10.1177/1120700018801118.
Martinez JR, Reddy N, Mulligan E, Hynan L, Wells J. Sleep quality disturbance in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip [Abstract]. In: UTSW Annual Medical Student Research Forum; 2018 Jan 23; Dallas, TX.
Venishetty N, Toutoungy M, Beale J, Martinez JR, Wukich DK, Mounasamy V, Huo MH, Sambandam S. Total hip arthroplasty in nonagenerians [Podium Presentation]. In: International Hip Society; 2024 May 15-18; Athens, Greece
Reddy N, Martinez JR, Nakonezny P, Wells J. Sleep disturbance in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and acetabular dysplasia [Abstract/Podium Presentation]. In: Western Orthopaedic Association’s 83^rd Annual Meeting; 2019 Jul 31-Aug 3; Monterey, CA.
Reddy N, Martinez JR, Nakonezny P, Wells J. Sleep disturbance in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and acetabular dysplasia [Abstract/Podium Presentation]. In: Southern Orthopaedic Association’s 36^th Annual Meeting; 2019 Jul 17-20; Amelia Island, FL.
Reddy N, Martinez JR, Nakonezny P, Wells J. Sleep disturbance in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and acetabular dysplasia [Abstract/Podium Presentation]. In: Texas Orthopaedic Association’s 2019 Annual Conference; 2019 Feb 1-2; Houston, TX.
Reddy N, Martinez JR, Nakonezny P, Wells J. Sleep quality in patients with femoroacetabular impingement and acetabular dysplasia of the hip [ePoster Presentation]. In: International Society for Hip Arthroscopy Annual Scientific Meeting; 2018 Oct 4-6; Melbourne, Australia.
Martinez JR, Bachand J, Chung A, Luedke A, Vasquez N. A New Method for Identifying Coronary Artery Disease via Analysis of Human Serum [Poster Presentation]. In: Texas A&M University Student Research Week; 2015 Mar 25; College Station, TX.