• #100 - 325 Manning Rd NE Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5
  • (403) 265-3838
  • (403) 351-8882 (FAX)
  • #100 - 325 Manning Rd NE Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5
  • (403) 265-3838
  • (403) 351-8882 (FAX)

Rob Burnham

, 

MD

  • Rob Burnham
  • ,
  • MD

Clinical Locations

  • (403) 265-3838
  • Get Direction
  • Get Direction

Languages Spoken

  • English

Dr. Rob Burnham completed his undergraduate and Masters degrees, medical school and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residency at the University of Alberta. He remained there to practice and, as an associate professor, found his passion for research. In 2000, he moved to Lacombe, Alberta, organized a multidisciplinary team and founded the Central Alberta Pain and Rehabilitation Institute (CAPRI) to treat those suffering with chronic MSK pain. In order to provide better access to the many patients traveling from the south, Dr. Burnham opened Vivo Cura Health in Calgary, Alberta where he now spends part of his time treating those patients and helping build a multidisciplinary team.

As a physician, his areas of interest include interventional musculoskeletal pain management, electrodiagnosis and research. He has published over 90 peer-reviewed journal articles and textbook chapters

When he’s not doing research or treating patients, he plays the role of “farm boy” working alongside his wife on their acreage. He enjoys the serenity of getting out into nature and the chaos that ensues when one or all of his 6 kids and 21 grandkids come to visit.

Education History

Fellowship / Certificate CSCN – Canadian Society of Clinical Neurophysiologists Certificant
American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine Diplomat
Canadian Academy for Sport Medicine and Exercise Medicine Diplomat
Residency Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation – University of Alberta Resident
Residency Family Medicine Resident
Professional Medical Medicine – University of Alberta M.D
Masters Kinesiology – University of M.Sc
Undergraduate Medical Science – University of Alberta B.Sc

Selected Publications

Journal Articles

  • Amatto, A, Burnham T, Teramoto M, Burnham R.  (2023).  The effectiveness and predictive factors of sacroiliac joint radiofrequency neurotomy success- A retrospective cohort study.  Interventional Pain Medicine, 2(3): 2023, 100271. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpm.2023.100271
  • Smith, A., Andruski, B., Deng, G., Burnham, R. (2023). Cervical facet joint platelet-rich plasma in people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: A prospective case series of longer term 6- and 12- month outcomes. Interventional Pain Medicine, 2(1): 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpm.2023.100237. 
  • Deng, G., Smith, A., Burnham, R. (2022). Prospective Within Subject Comparison of Fluoroscopically Guided Lumbosacral Facet Joint Radiofrequency Ablation Using a Multi-Tined (Trident) Versus Conventional Monopolar Cannula. Pain Physician, 25(5), 391–399.
  • Beckwith, M., Cushman, D., Clark, T., Park, P. K., Burnham, T., Burnham, R., McCormick, Z. L., & Conger, A. (2022). Radiofrequency Ablation of the Infrapatellar Branch of the Saphenous Nerve for the Treatment of Chronic Anterior Inferomedial Knee Pain. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), pnac108. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnac108
  • Loh, E., Agur, A., Burnham, R (2022). Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency Ablation for SI joint pain:An observational study. Interventional Pain Medicine, 1(3) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpm.2022. 100118
  • Amatto, A., Smith, A.,  Pan, B., Al Hamarneh, Y., Burnham, T., Burnham, R. (2022). An assessment of the minimal clinically important difference for the Pain Disability Quality-of-Life Questionnaire-Spine. Interventional Pain Medicine. 1(3) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inpm.2022.100116.
  • Smith, A., Andruski, B., Deng, G., & Burnham, R. (2022). Cervical facet joint platelet-rich plasma in people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders: A prospective case series of short-term outcomes. Interventional Pain Medicine, 1(2), 100078. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.INPM.2022.100078

 

  • Burnham, R., Amatto, L., Smith, A., Burnham, T., & Amatto, A. (2022). An assessment of the validity and responsiveness of the Numerical Rating Scale Version of the Pain Disability Quality-Of-Life Questionnaire-Spine. Interventional Pain Medicine, 100087. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.INPM.2022.100087
  •  Sommerfeldt, M., Jack, E., Playfair, L., Satkunam, L., Loh, E., Rambaransingh, B., & Burnham, R. (2022). Ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive looped thread fasciotomy for chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the lower leg: A cadaveric feasibility study. Interventional Pain Medicine, Vol 1; Issue 1; 100074. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.INPM.2022.100074
  •  Burnham TR, Smith A, McCormick ZL, Teramoto M, Burnham R. Evaluation of an Ultrasound-Assisted Longitudinal Axis Lateral Crest Approach to Radiofrequency Ablation of the Sacroiliac Joint. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2022;101(1):26-31. doi:10.1097/PHM.0000000000001733
  • Burnham R, Smith A, Hart D. The safety and effectiveness of bone marrow concentrate injection for knee and hip osteoarthritis: a Canadian cohort. Regen Med. 2021;16(7):619-628. doi:10.2217/rme-2021-0001
  • Burnham RS, Loh EY, Rambaransingh B, Roberts SL, Agur AM, Playfair LD. A Controlled Trial Evaluating the Safety and Effectiveness of Ultrasound-Guided Looped Thread Carpal Tunnel Release. HAND. 2021;16(1):73-80. doi:10.1177/1558944719842199
  • Slipp M, Burnham R.  Medication management of chronic pain: a comparison of 2 care delivery models.  Can Pharm J (Ott) 150:112-117, 2017.
  • Roberts S, Burnham R, Agur A, Loh E. A Cadaveric Study Evaluating the Feasibility of an Ultrasound Guided Diagnostic Block and Radiofrequency Ablation Technique for Sacroiliac Joint Pain.  Reg Anesth Pain Med 42(1): 69-74, 2017. DOI: 10, 1097/AAP.0000000000000515 
  • Burnham R, Playfair L, Loh E, Roberts S, Agur A. Evaluation of the Effectiveness and Safety of Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Carpal Tunnel Release – A cadaveric study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 96(7): 457-463, 2017; DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000000652
  •  Robinson T,  Roberts S, Burnham R, Loh E, Agur A. Sacro-Iliac Joint Sensory Block and Radiofrequency Ablation: Assessment of Bony Landmarks Relevant for Image-Guided Procedures. BioMed Research International Volume 2016, Article ID 1432074, 7 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1432074
  • Roberts S, Burnham R, Ravichandiran K, Agur A, Loh E. Cadaveric study of the sacro-iliac joint innervations: Implications for diagnostic blocks and radiofrequency ablation. Reg Anesth Pain Med 39(6):454-464, 2014.
  •  Burnham R, Stanford G, Gray L.  An Assessment of a Short Composite Questionnaire Designed for Use in an Interventional Spine Pain Management Setting.  PMRJ 4(6): 413-418, 2012
  • Stanford G, Burnham R.  Is it useful to repeat Sacroiliac Joint Provocative Tests Post-Block?  Pain Med (11): 1774-1776, 2010
  • Rambaransingh B, Stanford G, Burnham R.  The Effect of Repeated Zygapophysial Joint Radiofrequency Neurotomy on Pain, Disability and Improvement Duration. Pain Med (11): 1343-1347, 2010
  •  Burnham R. Radiofrequency Sensory Ablation as a Treatment for Symptomatic Unilateral Lumbosacral Junction Pseudarticulation (Bertolotti’s Syndrome): a Case Report. Pain Med 11(6): 853-855, 2010
  • Burnham R.  Symptoms and signs of thoracic outlet syndrome in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. J Musculoskeletal Pain 18(1): 66-70, 2010
  • Burnham R, Holitski S, Dinu I.  A prospective outcome study on the effects of facet joint radiofrequency denervation on pain, analgesic intake, disability, satisfaction, cost, and employment.  Arch Phys Med Rehabil 90:201-205, 2009
  •   Day IJ, Kent CF, Burnham R.  Can topical anesthetic reduce the pain associated with diagnostic blocks of the lumbosacral spine?  Pain Med 9(6): 675-679, 2008.
  •  Schellenberg KL, Lang JM, Chan KM, Burnham R.  A clinical tool for office assessment of lumbar spine stabilization endurance: prone and supine bridge maneuvers.  Am J Phys Med Rehabil  86(3): 1-7, 2007
  •  Burnham R, Yasui Y.  An Alternate Method of Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Sacroiliac Joint: A Pilot Study of the Effect on Pain, Function, and Satisfaction.  Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine  32(1): 12-19, 2007
  •  Burnham R, McNeil S, Hegedus C, Gray DS.  Fibrous myopathy as a complication of repeated intramuscular injections for chronic headache.  Pain Res Manage 11(4): 249-252, 2006 
  • Graboski CL, Gray DS, Burnham R. Botulinim toxin A versus bupivacaine trigger point injections for the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome: A randomized double blind crossover study.  Pain 118(1-2): 170-175, 2005
  • Radhakrishna M, Burnham R.  Infrared skin temperature measurement cannot be used to detect myofascial tender spots.  Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 82: 902-905, 2001
  • Burnham R, May L, Reid DC, Steadward RD.  Shoulder pain in wheelchair athletes – The role of muscle imbalance.   Am J Sport Med 21(2):238-242, 1993
  • Burnham R, Gregg R, Healy P, Steadward RD.  The effectiveness of topical diclofenac for lateral epicondylitis.  Clin J Sport Med 8(2): 78-81, 1998
  • Burnham R, Higgins J, Steadward RD.  Wheelchair basketball injuries.  Palaestra 10(2): 43-49, 1994
  • Wheeler GD, Cumming DC, Burnham R, MacLean I, Sloley BD, Bhambhani Y, Steadward RD.   Testosterone, cortisol and catecholamine responses to exercise stress and autonomic dysreflexia in elite quadriplegic athletes.  Paraplegia 32: 292-299, 1994
  • Burnham R, Wheeler G, Bhambhani Y, Eriksson P, Belanger M, Steadward RD.  Intentional induction of autonomic dysreflexia among quadriplegic roadracers for performance enhancement: Efficacy, safety and mechanism. Clin J Sport Med 4: 1-10, 1994
  • Burnham R, Chan M, Reid DC.  The use of electrodiagnostic studies in the diagnosis of chronic compartment syndrome.  Clin J Sport Med 4;219-222, 1994
  •  Flett JL, Burnham R, Saboe L, Brook W, Pain K:  Effect of measurement time and mode on amount of flexion following total knee arthroplasty.  Can J Rehabil 5(3) 145-149, 1992
  •  Neary JP, Martin TP, Reid DC, Burnham R, Quinney HA.  The effects of a reduced exercise duration taper programme on performance and muscle enzymes of endurance cyclists.  Eur J Appl Physiol 65:30-36, 1992
  • Burnham R, Newell E, Steadward RD.  Sports medicine for the physically disabled: The Canadian team experience at the 1988 Seoul Paralympic Games.  Clin J Sport Med 1(3): 193-196, 1991
  • Hu R, Burnham R, Reid DC, Grace M, Saboe L.  Burners in contact sports.  Clin J Sport Med 1(4): 236-242, 1991
  • Reid DC, Burnham R, Saboe L, Kurshner SF.  Lower extremity flexibility patterns in classical ballet dancers and its relationship to lateral hip and knee injuries.  Am J SportMed 15(4) 347-352, 1987

Book Chapters

  • Loh E, Burnham T, Agur A, Burnham R.  Sacroiliac Joint Lateral Branch Block and Radiofrequency Ablation. Book chapter in Regional Nerve Blocks in Anesthesia and Pain Therapy, (2022) D. Jankovic, P. Peng (eds.), Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-88727-8_50
  • Loh E, Burnham TR, Burnham R. Sacroiliac Joint Diagnostic Block and Radiofrequency Ablation Techniques. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2021;32(4):725-744. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2021.05.008

Rob Burnham

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