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Specializing In »
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Specializing In
- Back Pain
- Coccygodynia (Tailbone Pain)
- Epidural Steroid Injection
- Facet Arthropathy
- Neck Pain
- Radiculopathy
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Sacroiliac Joint Injection
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spine Care
Biography
Dr. Rittenberg is a board-certified, fellowship-trained physiatrist with more than 20 years of experience specializing in rehabilitative and interventional spine care. He is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
In his clinical practice, Dr. Rittenberg provides expert care for painful spine disorders. He excels at interventional pain management and has extensive experience in a variety of spinal disorders, including sports-related spine injuries
Prior to joining Stanford, he was co-chair of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department for Kaiser Northern California. Additionally, he spent 10 years at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where he served as Medical Director of Musculoskeletal and Spine Procedures at the Spine and Sports Rehabilitation Center. He was a consultant in the Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation Department of Orthopedic Surgery and an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Dr. Rittenberg excels at the diagnosis and treatment of disorders involving the spine. He delivers state-of-the-art treatment for pain, emphasizing non-operative and minimally invasive approaches.
For each patient, he prepares a personalized plan of care designed to be both comprehensive and compassionate. In every case, his goals are to relieve symptoms and enable the best possible quality of life.
Dr. Rittenberg lectures nationally and internationally, has chaired numerous continuing education courses for physicians, and has published original research, review articles, and book chapters in the areas of interventional and rehabilitative spine care.
He has volunteered and held leadership positions in the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the North American Spine Society, and the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society. He is the current President of the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society(IPSIS).
Dr. Rittenberg has earned honors and recognition for his achievements. They include being named to the Healthgrades Honor Roll and recognized as a regional top doctor by Castle Connolly, the research and information resource for health care consumers.
In his clinical practice, Dr. Rittenberg provides expert care for painful spine disorders. He excels at interventional pain management and has extensive experience in a variety of spinal disorders, including sports-related spine injuries
Prior to joining Stanford, he was co-chair of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department for Kaiser Northern California. Additionally, he spent 10 years at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, where he served as Medical Director of Musculoskeletal and Spine Procedures at the Spine and Sports Rehabilitation Center. He was a consultant in the Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation Department of Orthopedic Surgery and an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Dr. Rittenberg excels at the diagnosis and treatment of disorders involving the spine. He delivers state-of-the-art treatment for pain, emphasizing non-operative and minimally invasive approaches.
For each patient, he prepares a personalized plan of care designed to be both comprehensive and compassionate. In every case, his goals are to relieve symptoms and enable the best possible quality of life.
Dr. Rittenberg lectures nationally and internationally, has chaired numerous continuing education courses for physicians, and has published original research, review articles, and book chapters in the areas of interventional and rehabilitative spine care.
He has volunteered and held leadership positions in the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the North American Spine Society, and the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society. He is the current President of the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society(IPSIS).
Dr. Rittenberg has earned honors and recognition for his achievements. They include being named to the Healthgrades Honor Roll and recognized as a regional top doctor by Castle Connolly, the research and information resource for health care consumers.
View Full Biography »
Professional Summary
Education & Certifications
- Board Certification: American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pain Medicine (2004)
- Board Certification: American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehab (2000)
- Residency: University of Washington Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program (1999) WA
- Fellowship: Florida Spine Institute (2000) FL
- Internship: St. Vincent's Hospital (1996) NY
- Medical Education: New York Medical College Registrar (1995) NY
Publications
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Utility of the anesthetic test dose to avoid catastrophic injury during cervical transforaminal epidural injections
Smuck, M., Maxwell, M. D., Kennedy, D., Rittenberg, J. D., Lansberg, M. G., & Plastaras, C. T. (2010). Utility of the anesthetic test dose to avoid catastrophic injury during cervical transforaminal epidural injections. SPINE JOURNAL, 10(10), 857–64. -
Programmatic Design for Teaching the Introductory Skills and Concepts of Lumbar Spine Procedures to Physiatry Residents A Prospective Multiyear Study
Visco, C. J., Kennedy, D. J., Chimes, G. P., Rittenberg, J., McLean, J., Dawson, P., … Plastaras, C. (2013). Programmatic Design for Teaching the Introductory Skills and Concepts of Lumbar Spine Procedures to Physiatry Residents A Prospective Multiyear Study. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION, 92(3), 248–57. -
Vasovagal Rates in Flouroscopically Guided Interventional Procedures: A Study of Over 8,000 Injections
Kennedy, D. J., Schneider, B., Casey, E., Rittenberg, J., Conrad, B., Smuck, M., & Plastaras, C. T. (2013). Vasovagal Rates in Flouroscopically Guided Interventional Procedures: A Study of Over 8,000 Injections. PAIN MEDICINE, 14(12), 1854–59. -
Original Research Articles Comparative Effectiveness of Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections with Particulate Versus Nonparticulate Corticosteroids for Lumbar Radicular Pain due to Intervertebral Disc Herniation: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial
Kennedy, D. J., Plastaras, C., Casey, E., Visco, C. J., Rittenberg, J. D., Conrad, B., … Dreyfuss, P. (2014). Original Research Articles Comparative Effectiveness of Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections with Particulate Versus Nonparticulate Corticosteroids for Lumbar Radicular Pain due to Intervertebral Disc Herniation: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Trial. PAIN MEDICINE, 15(4), 548–55. -
Response to Dr. Candido et?al.
Kennedy, D. J., Plastaras, C., Casey, E., Visco, C. J., Rittenberg, J. D., Conrad, B., … Dreyfuss, P. (2014). Response to Dr. Candido et?al. Pain Medicine , 15(11), 1977–78. -
Adverse events associated with fluoroscopically guided lumbosacral transforaminal epidural steroid injections
Plastaras, C., McCormick, Z. L., Garvan, C., Macron, D., Joshi, A., Chimes, G., … Kennedy, D. J. (2015). Adverse events associated with fluoroscopically guided lumbosacral transforaminal epidural steroid injections. SPINE JOURNAL, 15(10), 2157–65. -
Spinal Region Corticosteroid Injections are not associated with Increased Risk for Influenza.
Sytsma, T. T., Rittenberg, J. D., Maus, T. P., Air, M. E., Mauck, W. D., Tiegs-Heiden, C. A., … Greenlund, L. S. (2022). Spinal Region Corticosteroid Injections are not associated with Increased Risk for Influenza. The Spine Journal : Official Journal of the North American Spine Society. -
Spinal corticosteroid injections are not associated with increased influenza risk.
Rittenberg, J. D., Air, M. E., Schmittdiel, J. A., Horton, B. H., Greenlund, L. S., Maus, T. P., & Sytsma, T. T. (2022). Spinal corticosteroid injections are not associated with increased influenza risk. The Spine Journal : Official Journal of the North American Spine Society. -
Comprehensive functional evaluation of the injured runner.
Plastaras, C. T., Rittenberg, J. D., Rittenberg, K. E., Press, J., & Akuthota, V. (2005). Comprehensive functional evaluation of the injured runner. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 16(3), 623–49. -
The practical management of Achilles tendinopathy
Sorosky, B., Press, J., Plastaras, C., & Rittenberg, J. (2004). The practical management of Achilles tendinopathy. CLINICAL JOURNAL OF SPORT MEDICINE, 14(1), 40–44. -
Functional rehabilitation for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.
Rittenberg, J. D., & Ross, A. E. (2003). Functional rehabilitation for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 14(1), 111–20. -
Worsening myelopathy masked by peripheral nerve disorders
Rittenberg, J. D., Burns, S. P., & Little, J. W. (2004). Worsening myelopathy masked by peripheral nerve disorders. JOURNAL OF SPINAL CORD MEDICINE, 27(1), 72–77. -
Adverse Events Associated With Fluoroscopically Guided Sacroiliac Joint Injections
Plastaras, C. T., Joshi, A. B., Garvan, C., Chimes, G. P., Smeal, W., Rittenberg, J., … Fitzgerald, C. (2012). Adverse Events Associated With Fluoroscopically Guided Sacroiliac Joint Injections. PM&R, 4(7), 473–478. -
Cost-effectiveness of the X-STOP (R) Interspinous Spacer for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis A Comparison with Conservative Care and Laminectomy
Skidmore, G., Ackerman, S. J., Bergin, C., Ross, D., Butler, J., Suthar, M., & Rittenberg, J. (2011). Cost-effectiveness of the X-STOP (R) Interspinous Spacer for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis A Comparison with Conservative Care and Laminectomy. SPINE, 36(5), E345–E356. -
Inadvertent Intradiscal Contrast Flow During Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections: A Case Series Examining the Prevalence of Intradiscal Injection as well as Potential Associated Factors and Adverse Events
Plastaras, C. T., Casey, E., Goodman, B. S., Chou, L., Roth, D., & Rittenberg, J. (2010). Inadvertent Intradiscal Contrast Flow During Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections: A Case Series Examining the Prevalence of Intradiscal Injection as well as Potential Associated Factors and Adverse Events. PAIN MEDICINE, 11(12), 1765–1773. -
The Role of Exercise and Alternative Treatments for Low Back Pain
Carneiro, K. A., & Rittenberg, J. D. (2010). The Role of Exercise and Alternative Treatments for Low Back Pain. PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA, 21(4), 777-+. -
Radiation exposure of the spinal interventionalist performing fluoroscopically guided lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections
Botwin, K. P., Thomas, S., Gruber, R. D., Torres, F. M., Bouchlas, C. C., Rittenberg, J. J., & Rao, S. (2002). Radiation exposure of the spinal interventionalist performing fluoroscopically guided lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injections. ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION, 83(5), 697–701. -
The Rate of Detection of Intravascular Injection in Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections With and Without Digital Subtraction Angiography
McLean, J. P., Sigler, J. D., Plastaras, C. T., Garvan, C. W., & Riffenberg, J. D. (2009). The Rate of Detection of Intravascular Injection in Cervical Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections With and Without Digital Subtraction Angiography. PM&R, 1(7), 636–642. -
Efficacy of Lumbosacral Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections: A Systematic Review
Roberts, S. T., Willick, S. E., Rho, M. E., & Rittenberg, J. D. (2009). Efficacy of Lumbosacral Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections: A Systematic Review. PM&R, 1(7), 657–668. -
Panel Discussion
McCarberg, B., Barkin, R. L., Fish, L., Kulich, R. J., Kuritzky, L., Nicholson, B. D., … Weaver, A. L. (2008). Panel Discussion. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THERAPEUTICS, 15, S24–S27. -
Complications of fluoroscopically guided caudal epidural injections
Botwin, K. P., Gruber, R. D., Bouchlas, C. G., Torres-Ramos, F. M., Hanna, A., Rittenberg, J., & Thomas, S. A. (2001). Complications of fluoroscopically guided caudal epidural injections. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE & REHABILITATION, 80(6), 416–424.
Practice Locations
Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Emeryville Emeryville, CA
Emeryville, CA
Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine in Emeryville
6121 Hollis Street, Suite 900
Emeryville , CA 94608
Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Redwood City Redwood City, CA
Redwood City, CA
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Redwood City
450 Broadway Street
Redwood City , CA 94063
Make An Appointment More Clinic Information » Getting Here »Important Information about Our Organizations and Physician Affiliation
Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, and Stanford Medicine Partners are each independent nonprofit organizations that are affiliated with but separate from each other and from Stanford University. The physicians who provide care at facilities operated by Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, and Stanford Medicine Partners are faculty, foundation, or community physicians who are not employees, representatives, or agents of Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri- Valley, or Stanford Medicine Partners. Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, and Stanford Medicine Partners do not exercise control over the care provided by such faculty, foundation, and community physicians and are not responsible for their actions.
Patient Reviews
(134 reviews)
He is excellent.
Excellent care and thorough attention
Excellent care.
Very good visit. He answered all my questions and I feel confident about the plan for treatment going forward.
Listened and answered my questions which is what I wanted
I have always received excellent care from the Stanford Orthopedic clinic. Dr. Isono is the best in the business in my opinion so when he refers me to someone I expect the referred Physician is also top of their game - one of the best!
Excellent on every level, office staff, timeliness, bedside manner and EXPERTISE!
All staff were friendly, caring and efficient.
Is a great doctor. Would recommend in a heartbeat.
Thanks for your care and your skill
professional, courteous, and on time
Excellent caring about my problem .
I have confidence in Dr. Rittenberg's medical knowledge and he has a very kind demeanor. But he's not the best communicator. I had to ask a lot of questions to get the information I needed. He patiently answered the questions but I prefer it when the doctor lays out all the relevant information without me having to ask a lot of questions. I had written a list of questions before the call specifically because I know he doesn't talk much. If I were a patient that that didn't ask questions, I would have left the visit without much information.
Thanks for the friendly check-in regarding the cortisone shot in my hip.
Dr. Rittenberg was actually five minutes EARLY to the call, which was delightful! He gave me good advice and we are proceeding with a plan we agreed upon.
Kind, engaged, provided good advice
He is a very caring physician who is kind and takes time to explain things clearly to the patient. He is patient in answering any questions the patient asks. I have a lot of confidence in Dr. Rittenberg and would recommend him to others.
I’m grateful for the care of Dr Rittenberg.
Dr rittenberg was very focused and clear in his communication. Good listener and explainer. Clear about a path to address the issue. Thorough.
smooth professional yet friendly care from all staff
I greatly appreciate all of your precious time and effort. Thank you for the referrals of am MRI AND TO PAIN MANAGEMENT.
I was very happy with his manner and solutions to my problems.
Dr. Rittenberg was once again very clinically helpful, respectful and personable.
I find it difficult to get all the information I'd like. I have to come up with possible solutions. Would've liked physician to be more forthcoming.
With the exception of having to run the gauntlet whenever placing a call to Stanford: the breathy and frequent pauses in the recording listing one’s options are profoundly annoying. Okay, so yes, it’s a woman for a change, but the totally unnecessary interruptions are enough to make me consider seeking health care elsewhere.
Dr Rittenberg was very thorough and answered all my questions.
Dr. R. was engaged, competent and friendly.
/good communicative doctor. Needed to be in person, howeverl.
Great doctor. He's thorough, he listens, and he assess the issues quickly and competently.
Dr. Rittenberg was informative and helpful. Being told there's nothing more to be done for my condition was a relief and gives me the mental space to live within my limitations rather than chasing some elusive "cure".
Everybody dies. Get over it.
DR. RITRENBERG SEEMS LIKE A WONDERFULL DOCTOR & A VERY FINE PERSON.
He's great. It is the video system that is unsatisfactory.
I thought he did a great job at every turn.
Excellent
He seems very knowledgeable and competent -- I particularly appreciate his manner of communication and his kindness.
friendly, helpful staff; clean waiting room
I think he’s a great doctor - I appreciate his explanations of the procedures and his caring attitude. I am confident in his diagnosis and his decisions.
He is an excellent doctor
Very efficient and on time. Listened carefully.
Dr. Rittenberg was friendly, and he was empathetic about the fact that I hadn’t experienced much relief from my back pain after the steroid injections.
We discussed the fact that surgery was likely the next step, and he readily referred me to a surgeon at Stanford for a consultation.
Your team is impressive
Thank you
I trust him
Very pleasant and caring. Felt very comfortable and I appreciate his care and attention.
Dr Rittenberg is the rare physician who did not dismiss my issues because of my age (78). He listened to my goals and recommended the best way forward to achieve them.
thorough and listened to my concerns
Thorough and caring. A+
Staff was very professional. I arrived early and was seen early. Dr. Rittenberg was careful to explain my options clearly which helped me make a decision.
Dr. Rittenberg listened to me and discussed everything that he thought with me, answering all my questions. This is what I look for in a doctor.
I very much appreciated Dr. Rittenberg for your time, being very patient, spoke clearly, explained exactly what was in my MRI imaging. We then discussed my options and answered any questions I had . Thank you
Outstanding professional and a caring person!
Very competent.
Really like Dr Rittenberg, thank you
Dr. Rittenberg was very patient
Excellent! Very satisfied with services!!
Thorough, a good listener, a good explainer, patient with me,
Everyone was kind and efficient from start to finish. Thank you!
Excellent provider
Although there was an issue regarding my authorization for x-rays everyone worked together to get my exam done right thank you
awesome doc, incredible staff, on time and great experience
Very happy with his manner and knowledge.
Personable, met my needs. Accessible location.
Doctor R was very thorough and not rushed during my appointment he answered any questions I had. provided a good follow up and a good way forward..
Everyone at the appointment was helpful and Courteous
Dr. Rittenberg is a very thorough, thoughtful doctor, who was very attentive and helpful
I appreciated the time that Dr. Rittenberg took during the visit. He listened to my observations of my present condition, took time to explain avenues of treatment, and asked if I had any questions. He has great rapport and I feel like I am in good hands.
Team included Resident and Dr. rittenberg
Informative, compassionate, competent
He's highly knowledgeable, and instills confidence in his judgement and treatment plan.
Very pleased
The doctor and the staff did a good job.
I appreciate the opportunity to get my questions answered.
They took X-rays of my left knee rather then my left hip
Dr. Rittenberg was thorough and gave me suggestions that left me optimistic about the pain that has haunted me for years.
Very clear and was willing to adjust level of medical terminology up or down as needed for my understanding. Patient and thorough in approach. Sympathetic and warm in manner.
Every one very helpful and kind. Did not have a long wait.
Staff is very professional and courteous.
Very professional!!
Very comprehensive and professional.
really good!
Very kind and helpful staff. Everyone was professional and great at what they did.
Very thorough and professional
Informative
Knowledgeable, patient, explained the condition very well, totally recommended.
Listen to me very carefully and provide the answers asked.
Dr. Rittenberg was very clear in his explanation of x-rays, listened to and answered all my questions and clearly laid out a treatment course.
Great visit overall
Great visit thanks
Dr. Rittenberg was exceptional in his manner and explaining things. Welcoming front desk staff.
Dr. Rittenberg is simply great!
It was a good and helpful conversion with Dr. Rittenberg addressing a lot of questions related to MILD procedure.
Very clean office. Doctor is very nice and office staffs are nice too.
Dr. Rittenberg was kind and clear in the information he provided and the options he laid out. I also appreciated that he had his camera situated so that I could see his full face, rather than only the top of his head as is the case with many of the doctors.
I don't often recommend things, but I always recommend Stanford.
I was given the wrong address by your e-mail, Therefore I was late. Therefore I was rushed and the doctor said so., .
Love, love love Rittenberg.
I felt comfortable with him and able to discuss all my concerns. I felt like he really listened to me, and I was satisfied with his answers on how to move forward with my treatment.
Expert and caring as well as easygoing, very helpful
clear concise information
Dr. Rittenberg is a splendid doctor. He’s personable, professional, knowledgeable, and thorough. He answered all of my questions, expressed empathy and understanding for my situation and really explained my MRI findings in a way that I could understand.
An excellent specialist, calm, friendly, and carrying personality. Highly recommended!!!
Pleasant and understanding about my issues. Satisfied with his recommendation.
Dr. Rittenberg was extremely knowledgeable and very reassuring. I felt so much better after seeing him.
asked relevant questions, attentive to my answers, reviewed xray with me, discussed issue and supported current treatment.
I like his manner, very caring and I didn't feel rushed
Everyone I interacted with was nice and efficient
Staff and doctor very courteous, friendly and knowledgeable
Very professional, knowledgable, good listener, nice manner, patient,
Clear and courteous all the way.
I have found him to be competent and a good listener. He seems very professional, thoughtful, and well-informed.
thank you
Dr. Rittenberg was great. He listened kindly and sympathetically to the issues I was dealing with, answered all my questions, made sure I understood what the next steps would be and how I could reasonably hope for my recovery to go.
He’s great!
I appreciate that you where on the video call at the time promise to me.
Seamless
Well organized with prompt service
Dr, Rittenberg was very pleasant and helpful. He was professional and made recommendations that will help me to recover. He answered all my questions, and I am happy that he did my surgery.
I really appreciated the opportunity to use video messaging in the time of Covid. It is safer for the doctor and for me. I did not have to drive to another city and pay for parking. I did not have to deal with all the traffic. I am glad that this option was available.
Personable, attentive, caring, knowledgable. Excellent physician.
The care I received was exactly what I needed.
Listens well and wanted to help with my problem.
great office. Very clean and nice staff.
Great visit. I got clarity from the doctor on how to manage knees arthritic problems.
Professional, timely. Facility was clean
curteous and friendly staff, very helpful, the entire team from the moment I walked in the door did a great job of helping on the visit
He is excellent, clear and patient
He was wonderful - professional,, kind and well-informed. A good listener.
The doctor explained my options and recommended treatment. He was professional and courteous.
I was happy with the total experience and the follow up appointment. Thanks.
I was impressed by each individual I encountered
The care provided was excellent from the moment I entered the clinic, through x-ray and concluding with the visit with my doctor
Very good doctor. Nice manner.
Great experience! Thank you
Excellent. Thoughtful. Not rushed. Answered all questions clearly. Obviously very experienced.
This was my first meeting with Dr. Rittenberg and I am so pleased to have met with him. His preparation - having read my recent MRI images, my health history, his calm patient presence, the specificity and thoroughness of his questions, his PACE which was one of the first doctor's visits I have had in years that did not feel rushed, his empathy, his responses to my questions and my daughter's questions which were direct and satisfying, his overall demeanor and care was what I hope for in a doctor, especially a surgeon I am considering to do a procedure. He has stood out among Stanford physicians upon first meeting as well above average.
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