About Brad
Dr. Nelson is an assistant professor of equine surgery at the Johnson Family Equine Hospital and Veterinary Teaching Hospital in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. He is a principal investigator within the Orthopaedic Research Center and Preclinical Surgical Research Laboratory, where he uses his equine surgical knowledge of detecting and treating orthopedic injury to advance and improve outcomes in horses, while also contributing translational knowledge
towards humans in the concept of One Health. Dr. Nelson's research interests are focused on developing and improving imaging and surgical techniques, with particular focus on articular cartilage repair and osteoarthritis.
Education
Ph.D., Colorado State University, 2017Master of Science, Colorado State University, 2013Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2009Bachelor of Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2003
Certifications
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Publications
Nelson BB, Lawless SP, McIlwraith CW. Slab fractures of the third carpal bone involving both radial and intermediate facets
and outcomes after surgical repair in racing Quarter Horses. Equine Vet J. 2022 May;54(3):556-562. doi: 10.1111/evj.13468. Epub 2021 Jun 28. PMID: 34033156.Koch DW, Johnson JW, Smith QE, Brekhus C, Gadomski BC, Palmer RH, Easley JT, Nelson BB. Biomechanical
evaluation of interlocking nail and locking compression plating for stabilization of ovine critical-sized segmental tibia defects. Ann Transl Med. 2023 Mar 31;11(6):258. doi: 10.21037/atm-22-4886. Epub 2023 Mar 15. PMID: 37082686; PMCID: PMC10113068. McCready
E, Easley JT, Risch M, Troyer KL, Johnson JW, Gadomski BC, McGilvray KC, Kisiday JD, Nelson BB. Biomechanical, Morphological, and Biochemical Characteristics of Articular Cartilage of the Ovine Humeral Head. Cartilage. 2022 Jan-Mar;13(1):19476035221081465.
doi: 10.1177/19476035221081465. PMID: 35225009; PMCID: PMC9137309. Bisazza KT, Nelson BB, Sikes KJ, Nakamura L, Easley JT. Computed Tomography Provides Improved Quantification of Trabecular Lumbar Spine Bone Loss Compared to Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
in Ovariectomized Sheep. JBMR Plus. 2023 Aug 21;7(12):e10807. doi: 10.1002/jbm4.10807. PMID: 38130759; PMCID: PMC10731101. Nelson BB, Mäkelä JTA, Lawson TB, Patwa AN, Snyder BD, McIlwraith CW, Grinstaff MW, Goodrich LR, Kawcak CE. Cationic contrast-enhanced
computed tomography distinguishes between reparative, degenerative, and healthy equine articular cartilage. J Orthop Res. 2021 Aug;39(8):1647-1657. doi: 10.1002/jor.24894. Epub 2020 Nov 2. PMID: 33104251.
Research Specialty
Minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery and fracture repairAdvanced imaging (CT and MRI)Translational orthopedic surgery Orthopedic spine surgery