Dr. Ricardo Ruiz-López

Dr. Ricardo Ruiz-López

Neurosurgeon. Pain Interventionism.

Professor Ricardo Ruiz-López, MD, Neurosurgeon, FIPP, is President and Director of Clínica Vértebra, Barcelona / Madrid, Spain & Pain Surgery Centers, founded in 2014 by the Barcelona Pain Clinic (1987).

Ricardo Ruiz premio Neurocirugía 2024

Ricardo Ruiz-López is Founder and Past President of the World Institute of Pain-WIP-(USA, 1993). He is also Founder of the European Federation of IASP ( International Association for the Study of Pain ) – EFIC – ( 1993 ) and President of its II Congress in Barcelona “Pain in Europe” in 1997.

He has been Founder of the Spanish Pain Society (1989) and Founder President of the Catalan Pain Society (2001) as well as of the International Spine Society World Federation of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (WFMISS). He has been President of the 4th World Congress of WIP, Barcelona, 2004, and of Workshops, Symposia, etc. in the last decades.

His academic work includes several books on Interventional Spine Specialty, numerous book chapters and journal publications in the Specialty of Spine Surgery, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery ( MISS ) and Regenerative Medicine.

He participates in several Editorial Boards of journals in the specialties of MISS, Interventional Pain and Regenerative Medicine and currently gives educational lectures at Universities and International Meetings around the world.

Dr. Ruiz-López presentation. 22nd Annual Gabor Racz Advanced Interventional Pain Conference. World Institute of Pain.

Congreso Ricardo Ruiz López Neurocirujano Director Clínica Vértebra
Congreso Ricardo Ruiz López Neurocirujano Director Clínica Vértebra
Congreso Ricardo Ruiz López Neurocirujano Director Clínica Vértebra
Congreso Ricardo Ruiz López Neurocirujano Director Clínica Vértebra
Congreso Ricardo Ruiz López Neurocirujano Director Clínica Vértebra

  • Degree in Medicine and Surgery. Faculty of Medicine. Autonomous University of Madrid. 1975
  • ECFMG Certification – Commission for the Examination of Foreign Medical Graduates. USA 1975
  • Specialist in Neurosurgery (Ministry of Education and Science). Faculty of Medicine. Autonomous University of Madrid. 1979
  • Fellow in Interventional Pain Treatment. Boston Pain Center, Massachusetts General Hospital. Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Harvard Medical School, Harvard Medical School, Mass, U.S.A. 1985
  • Board Certified in Pain Management. Diplomate. American Academy of Pain Management. USA 1991
  • Fellow of Interventional Pain Practice (FIPP) World Institute of Pain (WIP). Ca. USA 2001
  • Fellow of Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Spine Surgery. Wooridool Spine hospital – Seoul. Korea. 2008-2009

  • Diploma in Health. Departmental School of Barcelona. 1979
  • Civil Servant by competitive examination of the Corps of State Doctors. Ministry of Health and Social Security. 25.III.1980.
  • University Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine ( n. 3907 ). Nanjing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. National University of Nanjing. People’s Republic of China. 1983.
  • Diploma in Hospital Management. School of Business Administration (ESADE). Barcelona. 1987

  • President and Medical Director. Clinica Vertebra, Barcelona / Madrid, Spine and Pain Surgery Centers.
  • Life Member. Executive Committee. World Institute of Pain (WIP). USA.
  • Vice President. Development Committee. World Institute of Pain (WIP). USA.
  • Director. European Cellular Surgical Network. Barcelona.
  • Professor and Examiner of the ” Fellowship of Interventional Pain Practice ” (FIPP). World Institute of Pain (WIP). USA.
  • Program Director. FIPP/CIPS Interventional Pain Exam for East-Asia. Taipei. Taiwan South. Profesor National Taiwan University. Taipei. Taiwan.
  • Advisor and First Honorary Member of WIP Taiwan Register Society.
  • Distinguished Lecturer at the XI World WIP Congress on Pain (Budapest, Hungary) and several International Events on Spine Regenerative Medicine.

  • Founder. Pain Clinic of Barcelona, S.A. 1987.
  • Director. Servei de Medicina del Dolor i Cures Pal.liatives. Hospital de Barcelona ( SCIAS ). 1990 – 2006.
  • Founder. World Institute of Pain (WIP). 1993.
  • Director. Interventional Pain Service. Delfos Hospital. Barcelona 1999 – 2014.
  • Executive Member of the Board of Directors ( 2001-2010 ). Delfos Hospital. Barcelona.
  • Founder. Catalan Pain Society. 2002. Academy of Medical Sciences of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands.
  • Vice-president. Examination Board. World Institute of Pain ( 2005-2009 ).
  • President, Catalan Pain Society (Academy of Medical Sciences of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands). 2006-2010
  • President, World Institute of Pain (WIP). U.S.A. 2011 – 2013

  • Barcelona Pain Clinic ⋅ 1987. Outpatient Health Care Center for Research and Treatment of Pain. Barcelona.
  • Pain Medicine Service. Hospital de Barcelona SCIAS. Barcelona. 1990
  • Interventional Pain Surgery Service. Delfos Hospital. Barcelona. 1999
  • Expansion project of Delfos Hospital. Architects: LLimona, Ruiz and Recoder. Approval by the Municipal Plenary of the City of Barcelona. Sept. 2009.
  • Clínica Vertebra Barcelona Spine & Pain Surgery Center. Outpatient Outpatient Surgery Center. Barcelona. 2014.
  • Cell Surgical Network Europe. Barcelona. 2017

  • Spanish Pain Society. 1989. Catalonian-Balearic Society of Palliative Cures. 1992. Vic. Barcelona.
  • Spanish Society of Palliative Cures. 1993. Vic. Barcelona.
  • World Institute of Pain (WIP) USA. 1993.
  • Catalan Pain Society (Academy of Medical Sciences of Catalonia and the Balearic Islands). Barcelona. 2003.
  • World Society of Minimally Invasive Spine Society and Techniques. Seoul. South Korea. 2013.

  • PAIN PRACTICE. Official Journal. World Institute of Pain. USA.
  • PAIN. Permanyer Ed. Barcelona.
  • REVISTA SOCIEDAD ESPAÑOLA DEL DOLOR. Official organ of the Spanish Pain Society. Madrid.

  • World Institute of Pain (WIP). USA. Founder.
  • NorthAmerican Spine Society ( NASS ). USA.
  • American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP), USA. USA.
  • World Federation of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery ( WFMISS ). Seoul. South Korea. Founder.
  • International Association for the Study of Pain ( IASP ). USA.
  • Spanish Pain Society (SED). Madrid. Spain. Founder.
  • Catalan Pain Society. Academy of Medical and Health Sciences. Barcelona. Spain.
  • Catalan Society of Neurosurgery. Academy of Medical and Health Sciences. Barcelona. Barcelona. Spain.
  • Catalan Society of Anesthesiology. Academy of Medical and Health Sciences. Barcelona. Barcelona. Spain.

  • President. EFIC Congress (European Federation of IASP Chapters) “Pain in Europe ” Barcelona, Spain, September 1997. International Association for the Study of Pain.
  • President. Third World Congress of Pain, WIP (World Institute of Pain), Barcelona, Spain, September 2004.
  • President. 5th International Symposium of the Catalan Pain Society. “Interventional Therapies for Chronic Pain”. Col.legi Oficial de Metges de Barcelona, January 2007.
  • President. 6th International Symposium of the Catalan Pain Society. “Minimally Invasive Techniques and Surgery for Chronic Spinal Pain”. Col.legi Oficial de Metges de Barcelona, October 2009.
  • President. 6th World Congress. World Institute of Pain. Miami, Florida, USA. February 4-6, 2012.
  • Honorary President. III World Congress of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Techniques, Salvador, Brazil, August 2014.
  • President. III International Symposium. Iberian Section of the World Institute of Pain. “The Lumbar Spine. Advances in Minimally Invasive Surgery and Interventional Approaches”. Col.legi Oficial de Metges de Barcelona, November 2014.

Clinical Organization Models:

  • Multidisciplinary Teams: Chronic Pain
  • Multidisciplinary Teams: Cancer Pain and Palliative Care
  • Pain Medicine Hospital Service

Patents:

  • Patent (Ruiz-Lopez, R & Racz, NS) RULO Cannulae for Directional Radiofrequency. US Patent Agency. Patent No: US 9,265,563 B2. Date of Patent: Feb 23, 2016)
  • Patent (Ruiz-Lopez, R & Park) Percutaneous Lumbar Extraforaminotomy
  • Patent (Ruiz-Lopez, R & Racz, NS) RULO Protective Working Channel. US Patent Agency. (Submitted April 2023)

Institutional Development:

  • Miami. Miami. USA. Implementation of the Examination Board for Fellowship in Interventional Pain Practice. Examination in Spanish / English. World Institute of Pain.
  • National Taiwan University. Taipei. China. Implementation of the Examination Board for Fellowship in Interventional Pain Practice. Examination in Mandarin / English. World Institute of Pain.

  • Continuing care for patients with oncologic pain. In Aronoff GM (ed): Evaluation and Treatment of Chronic Pain, 3rd ed. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins, 1998. 23. R. Ruiz-Lopez.
  • Organization of Chronic Pain Services. In Raj PP, editor: Textbook of regional anesthesia. Elsevier Health Sciences. 2002. Chapter 5 : 55-64. R. Ruiz-Lopez, D Beltrutti.
  • Organization of palliative care services. In Raj PP, editor: Textbook of regional anesthesia. Elsevier Health Sciences. 2002. Chapter 6: 65-73. R. Ruiz-Lopez, D Beltrutti, A. Vadalouca, M. Nicoscia.
  • Radiofrequency for the treatment of chronic pain. In: . In Raj PP, editor: Textbook of regional anesthesia. Elsevier Health Sciences. 2002. Chapter 31: 619-645. R. Ruiz-Lopez.
  • Spinal Neuroaxial Head and Neck Procedures. In: Raj PP, editor: Interventional Pain Management: Image – Guided Procedures. Saunders Elsevier. 2008. Chapter 8: 127-188. M Hammer, C. Noe, G. Racz, R. Ruiz-Lopez, C. Pichot.
  • Spinal Neuroaxial Blocks. In: Raj PP, editor: Interventional Pain Management: Image – Guided Procedures. Saunders Elsevier. 2008. Chapter 13: 267-278. R. Ruiz-Lopez, C. Pichot, P. Raj.
  • Percutaneous therapeutic procedures and disc lesions. In: In Raj PP, editor: Interventional Pain Management: Image – Guided Procedures. Saunders Elsevier. 2008. Chapter 31: 539-558. R. Ruiz-Lopez, C. Pichot.
  • Vertebroplasty. In: Raj PP, editor: Interventional Pain Management: Image – Guided Procedures. Saunders Elsevier. 2008. Chapter 32: 559-567. R. Ruiz-López, C. Pichot.
  • Balloon kyphoplasty. In: Raj PP, editor: Interventional Pain Management: Image – Guided Procedures. Saunders Elsevier. 2008. Chapter 33: 566-570. R. Ruiz-López, C. Pichot.
  • Cranial stimulation. In: Raj PP, editor: Interventional Pain Management: Image – Guided Procedures. Saunders Elsevier. 2008. Chapter 34: 571-578. R. Ruiz-Lopez.

  • Multimodal and interdisciplinary chronic pain management programs. In: Clinical Update: Study and Treatment of Pain. R. Ruiz-López.
  • Multidisciplinary Evaluation in Chronic Nonmalignant Pain Syndrome. Dolor, 1991; 4: 60. R. Ruiz-López, M. Pagerols, A. Collado.
  • Chronic pain of non-malignant origin. Rev. Clin. Esp., 1995; 95. R. Ruiz-Lopez.
  • Chronic pain of non-oncologic origin. Revista Clínica Española , Vol. 195, Monograph 1, March 1995. R. Ruiz-López.
  • The Epidemiology of Chronic Pain. Editorial. Pain Digest (1995)5:67-68. R. Ruiz-Lopez.
  • Treatment of cranio-facial pain with Radiofrecuency. 2002 World Institute of Pain, Pain Practice, Volume 2, Number 3, 2002, 206-213. R. Ruiz-Lopez, S. Erdine.
  • Spinal innervation: Therapeutic impact. Pain 2005;20(2):089-90. R. Ruiz-Lopez
  • Radiofrequency Procedures . 2006 World Institute of Pain, Pain Practice, Volume 6, Issue 1, 2006 46-50 . G. B. Racz, R. Ruiz-Lopez.
  • The need for interventionism in the treatment of chronic pain. Editorial Dolor. 2010;25(3):125-127. C. de Barutell Farinós, C. Pichot Pla, R. Ruiz-López.
  • Pain Relieving Procedures: Step-by-Step Illustrated Guide. Pain Practice. 2012; 12 (7): 590-591 R. Ruiz-López.

  • Chronic pain, disability and invalidity. Dolor . 7: 108 – 109 (1992). Ruiz-López R.
  • Treatment of pain: general aspects. Rev. Enferm. 1993 Jun 16 (178) : 77-82. R. Ruiz-Lopez.
  • Pain treatment : analgesic pharmacology and postoperative pain. Rev. Enferm. 1993 Jun 16 (181) : 77-81. R. Ruiz-Lopez.
  • Treatment of pain: cancer pain and palliative care. Rev. Enferm. 1993 Jun 16 (182) : 25-29. R. Ruiz-López.
  • The Spanish Pain Questionnaire. Dolor 1990, 5: 304S. Ruiz Lopez R, Pagerols M, Ferrer.
  • The language of pain. Med. Clin 1991, 96:196. Ruiz-López R, Pagerols M, Ferrer I.
  • The Spanish Pain Questionnaire. Dolor 1991, 5:110S. Ruiz-López R, Pagerols M, Ferrer I.
  • Spanish Pain Questionnaire: Results of its systematized use during the period 1990-93. Dolor 1993, 11 S. Ruiz-López R, Pagerols M, Collado A.
  • Multidisciplinary Evaluation in Chronic Nonmalignant Pain Syndrome. Dolor 1991; (suppl 4):60. 222 28. Ruiz-López R, Pagerols M, Collado A.
  • Radiofrequency lesioning of the sympathetic chain at different levels. Agri . 2004 Jan; 16 (1): 43-8. R. Ruiz-Lopez.
  • Minimally invasive treatment of discogenic pain. Dolor 2010;25(3):141-156. R. Ruiz-López, C. Pichot Pla.
  • Tramadol-paracetamol analgesic combination in the treatment of low back pain. Dolor 2008;23(1):047-054. C. de Barutell Farinós, C. Pichot Pla, R. Ruiz-López
  • Diclofenac . Dolor 2004;19(4):227-236. C. Pichot Pla, R. Ruiz-López
  • Oxycodone . Dolor 2004;19(2):113-117. C. Pichot Pla, R. Ruiz-López
  • Interventional Pain Management procedures for chronic pain conditions. Pain in Europe. 2015. R. Ruiz-López, C. Pichot Pla.

  • Treatment of median nerve compression with pulsed radiofrequency: Preliminary results in 25 cases. Ruiz-Lopez R. Descarregar
  • Description of a new minimally invasive approach of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. Ruiz-Lopez R. Descarregar
  • A randomized double-blind controlled pilot study comparing leucocyte-rich platelet-rich plasma and corticosteroid in caudal epidural injection for complex chronic degenerative spinal pain. Ruiz-Lopez R, Tsai Yu-Chuan Pain Practice 2020; 20: 639-646. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32255266/
  • Complications in Regenerative Medicine. Ruiz-Lopez R, Tsai Yu-Chuan, Squarcia M. In. Complications of Pain-Relieving Procedures: An Illustrated Guide. Edited by Serdar Erdine and Peter Staats. Wiley Blackwell. 2022. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/9781119757306.ch55
  • Complications of Trigger Point Injection. Tsai Yu-Chuan, Ruiz-Lopez R. In. Complications of Pain-Relieving Procedures: An Illustrated Guide. Edited by Serdar Erdine and Peter Staats. Wiley Blackwell. 2022. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781119757306.ch63
  • Complications of Percutaneous Spinal Lumbar Endoscopy (PELD). Ruiz-Lopez R, Palea O, Cristea T. In. Complications of Pain-Relieving Procedures: An Illustrated Guide. Edited by Serdar Erdine and Peter Staats. Wiley Blackwell. 2022. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781119757306.ch64
  • Complications of Percutaneous Lumbar Extraforaminotomy. Sang Chul Lee, Ricardo Ruiz-Lopez, Won Joong Kim. In. Complications of Pain-Relieving Procedures: An Illustrated Guide. Edited by Serdar Erdine and Peter Staats. Wiley Blackwell. 2022. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9781119757306.ch65

Dr. Ricardo Ruiz-López

Neurosurgeon. Pain Interventionism.
Ricardo Ruiz López Neurocirujano Clínica Vértebra

Dr. Ricardo Ruiz-López

COMB member 11890

ICOMEM member 28/2821229

Patient Reviews

After months of intense pain in my back and leg due to a hernia, and after being full of medications and rehabilitation sessions, finally a friend recommended this clinic and I was absolutely right. They visited me very quickly and Dr Ruiz performed a radiofrequency intervention that has solved the problem, it no longer hurts and I have regained my quality of life, which I had lost. I only have words of gratitude

Pedro L., See original review on Google

I had a rhizolysis two years ago and it is the best decision I ever made. I was advised to go to this clinic. Excellent staff and treatment. I would come back without hesitation. I am a different person since I don’t feel any pain.

Pepy A., See original review on Google

In a frankly desperate situation with my mother suffering from trigeminal neuralgia and with continuous and terrible pain during confinement and no public health doctor able to relieve her pain in any way, it was miraculous to find this center by surfing the internet. In just a couple of weeks after the initial visit, Dr. Ruiz operated on my mother in an outpatient and non-aggressive surgery and in just a few days she regained speech, mobility and finally began to sleep as she no longer suffered the tremendous pain. And if the treatment has been effective thanks to the hands of a great doctor, this does not mean that the whole team at the center is not deserving of credit. From the reception to the nurses, they are all exemplary professionals who make you feel safe and in good hands at all times. My mother is already another and just 4 months later we are aware that there is no better investment than health and Clínica Vértebra is a success. Totally recommendable. THANKS A MILLION.

icono pacientes 3Alicia R., See original review on Google

It has been a long time since I felt what it was like to live without pain. I only have words of gratitude for the whole team, from the reception staff to the operating room team. Thank you Dr. Squarcia for such a detailed explanation of my problem and for the accuracy of the treatment. I pray to God that this wellness lasts for a long time.

icono pacientes 4Alicia G., See original review on Google

I had a lumbar facet denervation (Rhizolysis) this morning and I have to say that «O» pain. It has been 10 hours since the intervention and I am still without any pain and without medication. Congratulations to the whole team. Viggo Adeler (Physician)

icono Viggo Adeler, See original review on Google

Good treatment and attention, I went with a horse sciatica and they left me like new, I only have words of thanks.

icono pacientes 2Antonio R., See original review on Google

It is a place that has improved my quality of life.

icono Markus O., See original review on Google

I only have words of thanks to Doctors Ricardo Ruiz and Dr. Matias, I have gone to them twice, and I only have words of thanks, they have solved my problem, first of Lumbar vertebrae and the second of a shoulder, and in both cases total success, I have not returned to have any kind of discomfort, I am totally grateful to them, they have changed my life. THANK YOU DOCTORS, you are fantastic.

Juan J., See original review on Google

First visit with Dr. Mattia Squarcia, finally a doctor who listens to me and looks at all my medical tests. I have already had a bad experience with another pain clinic where the doctor did not listen to me and did not even look at a single medical test.

Anabel R., See original review on Google

I have only words of thanks, thank you Doctor Ricardo Ruiz.

Carlos, See original review on Google