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Zachary NaPier, M.D., FAAOS is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon.  He received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Dartmouth College before attending medical school at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.  He completed orthopedic surgery residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, CA, one of the country’s top orthopedic and neurosurgical spine centers.  Dr. NaPier underwent advanced spine training at the Harvard Spine Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA.  Dr. NaPier built a successful community practice in Northern California prior to joining Indiana Spine Group. Dr. NaPier has extensive training and experience with cutting edge minimally invasive and motion preserving surgical techniques that create less postoperative pain, decreased soft tissue injury and blood loss, and faster recovery times. He is also skilled in complex reconstruction of spinal deformities, degenerative conditions, and failed back syndrome. His practice involves comprehensive clinical and surgical care of adult and adolescent patients.

Dr. NaPier has a specific expertise in prone transpsoas lateral interbody fusion (PTP LIF) and has presented and published his techniques in addition to teaching other surgeons. He is also a prolific researcher, having authored or co-authored many clinical and basic science manuscripts, presentations, and textbook chapters in addition to receiving grants from organizations including the Cervical Spine Research Society and Scoliosis Research Society.

“My goal is to evaluate your condition, relieve your pain, and restore your function using the most effective, minimally invasive techniques available,” said Dr. NaPier. “I will help you to understand your back or neck symptoms and treatment options so that you can make informed decisions regarding your treatment.”

“I am honored by the trust you place in me and my recommendations for your care will be the same that I would make for a member of my own family.”

Dr. NaPier is an avid golfer and enjoys spending time with his wife, who is also a physician in Indianapolis, and their two sons.  Indiana Spine Group is privileged to welcome Dr. NaPier’s world class experience to serve the residents of Indiana.

Patient Referral Form – Dr. NaPier

You can also find out more information about Dr. NaPier at www.napierspine.com

Dr. Zachary NaPier, MD
Jann Ames
3 days ago
The care I was given was the best care I have ever encountered with any facility. Other facilities need to fallow in your footsteps because you all have set the bar for care. Thank you all.
Rosie Turner
2 weeks ago
Dr.Napier did an amazing job. I can't say enough. He is wonderful, patient and very thorough at explaining everything. And he staff is just as great as he is. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Lynda Dennis
3 weeks ago
I was told this was a great place to bring my spinal concern and I couldn't agree more. Dr Napier and staff were wonderful. I feel I'm in the best hands. Update - post surgery 2 weeks. I indeed was in the best care possible. Indiana spine hospital couldn't have been better. Dr Napier is a true gift to the world. I had a very extensive long surgery. He and his team are the best; brilliant, caring, and giving me their time to answer all my questions . I would trust no others at this point. They have literally changed my life. Special thank you also to Tessa and Trace for handling me with such grace and patience. If I could remember everyone's name I would mention them. Thank you all so much ❤️
Scott Newman
3 months ago
Dr. NaPier, MD is very personable and will listen to all the questions you have and get them all answered. I would definitely recommend him. He was a referral from immediate care. I really.liked him from the start. I am now recovering from surgery I had two weeks ago and just had my post op. Their surgery center in Fishers and the people there are really good at what they do down there. Well worth the travel.
Ron Lehman
5 months ago
Dr Napier is fantastic. He fused C5-C6-C7 in my spine. I was back to working at my computer after two days and off all medication in one week. That is a testament to a solid and precise surgery. My recovery is going great. I have the upmost confidence in Dr. Napier and would recommend him to others!
Prem Shah
5 months ago
Dr. Napier and Trace are among the most respected providers I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with. Their practice sets a high bar — clinically sharp, communicative, and genuinely invested in their patients’ wellbeing. In the OR, Dr. NaPier is nothing short of exceptional — poetry in motion is the only way to describe it. Skilled, efficient, and composed under pressure. When I refer someone their way, I know they’re in the best possible hands. Highly recommend.
Travis Ramsey
5 months ago
Dr Napier and his staff we're very professional and gave me relief that I've been seeking for years due to a botched surgery by another surgeon. I was told by other doctors that I couldn't be fixed but Dr Napier sure did. Highly recommend and would discuss further with any patients on the fence about surgery. Travis W Ramsey I've been unfortunate enough to have had alot of surgeries and by far this staff and Dr Napier are by far the best experience I've had hands down. Office is efficient friendly and your well being is the top concern. I was to the point that disability was going to be my only option which I was terrified of as I felt I would lose my house and everything if I was unable to work. My life now has become hopes of a promising 20 plus years into the future working and doing the things I enjoy. I would talk with anyone who is hitting brick walls with other doctors or have been unfortunate enough to have a bad surgery. Dr. Napier makes no promises but will let you know if anything can be done to help. A whole new outlook on life for me. Thanks 👍
kimberly walls
12 months ago
I was referred to Dr. Napier last year after experiencing chronic lower back pain for many years. From my first appointment, he took the time to listen to my concerns and quickly developed a comprehensive treatment plan tailored to my needs. I underwent a minimally invasive L3/4/5 S1 laminectomy, and thanks to Dr. Napier’s use of advanced surgical techniques, I was able to return home the same day. My recovery was remarkably smooth, allowing me to resume work much sooner than expected. Throughout the entire process, Dr. Napier’s staff was professional, attentive, and always willing to answer my questions. I am sincerely grateful to Dr. Napier for his exceptional care and expertise, which have allowed me to return to the activities I enjoy most—especially my walks along the beach.

Call (765) 450-0680

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Locations
Carmel
Lafayette
West Lafayette

Education

Medical School
George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.

Residency
Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA

Fellowship Training
Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA

Certifications & Professional Memberships

American Board of Orthopedic Surgeons
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons
North American Spine Society
Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Cervical Spine Research Society
Lumbar Spine Research Society

Publications, Books, Presentations

PUBLICATIONS
  • NaPier Z.  Sagittal Plane Optimization with Prone Transpsoas Lateral Interbody Fusion (PTP LIF).  Seminars in Spine Surgery.  June 2025. Link to article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1040738325000255
  • NaPier Z.  Prone Transpsoas Lateral Interbody Fusion (PTP LIF) with Anterior Docking: Preliminary Functional and Radiographic Outcomes.  North American Spine Society Journal.  December 2023. Link to article
  • Stephan S, Glaeser J, Tawackoli, W, Kanim L, Ju D, NaPier Z, Bae H, Sheyn D.  Optimization of a Rat Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model for Low Back Pain.  The Spine Journal. September 2020.
  • Glaeser J, Tawackoli W, Ju D, Yang J, Kanim L, Salehi K, Yu V, Saidara E, Vit J, Khnkoyan Z, NaPier Z , Stone L, Bae H, Sheyn D.  Optimization of a Rat Lumbar IVD Degeneration Model for Low Back Pain.  Journal of Orthopaedic Research: Spine. June 2020.
  • Glaeser J, Salehi K, Kanim L, NaPier Z, Kropf M, Cuellar J, Perry T, Bae H, Sheyn D.  NF-KB Inhibitor, NEMO-binding Domain Peptide Attenuates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.  The Spine Journal.  May 2020.
  • NaPier Z, Kanim L, Arabi Y, Salehi K, Sears B, Perry M, Kim S, Sheyn D, Bae H, Glaeser J. Omega 3 Fatty Acids to Reduce Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.  Medical Science Monitor. December 2019.
  • NaPier Z, Kanim L, Nelson T, Salehi K, Glaeser J, Sheyn D, Metzger M.  The Impact of Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus on Bone Metabolism and Growth after Spinal Fusion.  The Spine Journal. November 2019.
  • Kang J, Glaeser J, Karamian B, Kanim L, NaPier Z, Koltsov J, Thio T, Salehi K, Bae H, Cheng I. The Effects of Varenicline on Lumbar Spinal Fusion in a Rat Model. The Spine Journal. August 2019.
  • Glaeser J, Salehi K, Kanim L, Sheyn D, NaPier Z, Behrens P, Garcia L, Cuellar J, Bae H.  Anti-Inflammatory Peptide Attenuates Edema and Promotes rhBMP-2-mediated Bone Formation in Spinal Fusion.  Tissue Engineering Part A. May 2018.
  • NaPier Z, Kanim L, Thordarson S, Kropf M, Cuellar J, Glaeser J, Bae H. Demineralized Bone Matrix Biology and Clinical Use. Seminars in Spine Surgery. April 2016.
  • Haines C, Napier Z, Roberts A, Boyle K, Yu W, O’Brien J. A Comparison of Urinary Tract and Surgical Site Infection Rates in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with and without Urinary Catheterization.  JSM Neurosurgery & Spine. April 2014.
  • Long S, Stern C, NaPier Z, Mandel B, Soltanian H, Bentz M, Rosen J, Hazen A.  Educational Efficacy of a procedural Surgical Simulator in Plastic Surgery: A Phase I Multicenter Study.  Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.  October 2013.
  • Oliker A, NaPier Z, Deluccia N, Qualter J, Sculli F, Smith B, Stern C, Flores R, Hazen A, McCarthy J. Step-based Cognitive Virtual Surgery Simulation: An Innovative Approach to Surgical Education. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics. January 2012.
  • Stern C, Oliker A, NaPier Z, Qualter J, Deluccia N, Sculli F, Long S, Rosen J, Hazen A. Integration of Surgical Simulation in Plastic Surgery Residency Training. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics. January 2012.
  • Qualter J, Sculli F, Oliker A, NaPier Z, Lee S, Garcia J, Frenkel S, Harnk V, Triola M. The BioDigital Human: A Web-Based 3D Platform for Medical Visualization and Education. Studies in Health Technology and Informatics. January 2012.
TEXTBOOK CHAPTERS
  • NaPier Z, Kang J, “Conflicts of Interest in Spine Surgery.” Benzel’s Spine Surgery, 5th Edition. Michael Steinmetz, Edward Benzel, Sigurd Berven. Textbook Chapter. 2022.
  • Garlich J, Moon C, NaPier Z,  “Sacropelvic Fixation”. Operative Techniques: Spine Surgery, 3rd Edition.  Alexander Vaccaro and Eli Baron. Textbook Chapter. 2018.
PODIUM PRESENTATIONS
  • NaPier Z.  Minimally Invasive Lumbar Fusion for Faster Return to Work.  Indiana Workers Compensation Institute Annual Seminar.  Indianapolis, IN 2025.
  • NaPier Z.  Minimally Invasive Posterior Cervical Fusion for High Risk Patients: Case Presentation and Cadaveric Demonstration.  Providence Medical Technology Professional Education Program.  Carmel, IN 2025.
  • NaPier Z. Sagittal Plane Optimization with Prone Transpsoas Lateral Interbody Fusion (PTP LIF).  Seattle Science Foundation Advanced Lateral Approaches to the Spine.  Seattle, WA 2025.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn1a9ovAHDM&t=325s
  • NaPier Z.  Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Expandable Cage: Live Cadaveric Demonstration.  Seattle Science Foundation Advanced Lateral Approaches to the Spine.  Seattle, WA 2025.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7MA1ZXLq0E
  • NaPier Z.  Prone Transpsoas (PTP) Lateral Interbody Fusion: Tips and Tricks.  Lumbar Spine Research Society Hands On Technique Course. Carmel, IN 2024.
  • NaPier Z.  Prone Transpsoas (PTP) Lateral Interbody Fusion: Tips and Tricks for Successful Adoption.  University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Department of Neurosurgery Spine Conference. Pittsburgh, PA 2024.
  • NaPier Z.  Prone Transpsoas (PTP) Lateral Interbody Fusion.  Alphatec Spine Lateral Sophistication Series.  Chicago, IL 2024.
  • NaPier Z.  Prone Transpsoas (PTP) Lateral Interbody Fusion: Tips and Tricks.  Lumbar Spine Research Society Hands On Technique Course. Carmel, IN 2023.
  • NaPier Z. Creating Harmonious and Physiological Lordosis with PTP + LTX.  PTP Chalk Talk.  Carlsbad, CA 2023.
  • NaPier, Z.  Prone Transpsoas (PTP) for Spinal Deformity.  Alphatec Spine Prone Transpsoas Summit. Carlsbad, CA 2023.
  • NaPier Z.  Prone Transpsoas (PTP) Lateral Interbody Fusion: Tips and Tricks for Successful Adoption.  Seattle Science Foundation S.T.E.D. Online Lecture Series.  Seattle, WA 2023.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbihDDRadOM&t=5s
  • Stephan S, Glaeser J, Tawackoli W, Ju D, Yang J, Kanim L, Salehi K, Yu V, Khnkouyan Z, NaPier Z, Bae H, Sheyn D.  Optimization of a Disc Degeneration Model in the Rat Lumbar Spine. (a) presented at Spine Summit, Las Vegas, NV 2020 (b) presented at North American Spine Society Annual Meeting, virtual, 2020.
  • Napier Z, Kanim L, Nelson T, Salehi K, Arabi Y, Glaeser J, Sheyn D, Metzger M.  The Effect of Insulin Dependent Diabetes on Bone Metabolism and Growth after Spinal Fusion.  Cedars Sinai 7th Annual Orthopaedic Resident and Fellow Research Day. Los Angeles, CA 2019.
  • Kang J, Glaeser J, Karamian B, Kanim L, Behn A, NaPier Z, Thio T, Salehi K, Bae H, Cheng I.  The Effects of Varenicline (Chantix) on Lumbar Spinal Fusion in a Rat Model.  North American Spine Society Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA 2018.
  • Glaeser J, Behrens P, Salehi K, Kanim L, Sheyn D, NaPier Z, Cuellar J, Bae H.  NF-κB Inhibitor Suppresses Edema and Promotes rhBMP-2-mediated Bone Formation in Spinal Fusion. Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting, Bologna, Italy 2018.
  • NaPier Z, Kanim L, Arabi Y, Salehi K, Kim S, Sheyn D, Bae H, Glaeser J.  Omega 3 Fatty Acid Supplementation to Reduce Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.  Cervical Spine Research Society Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ 2018.
  • NaPier Z, Kanim L, Kim S, Glaeser J, Bae H.  Omega 3 Fatty Acids to Reduce Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: A Preliminary Report. Cedars Sinai 7th Annual Orthopaedic Resident and Fellow Research Day, Los Angeles, CA 2017.
  • Glaeser J, Salehi K, Kanim L, NaPier Z, Kropf M, Cuellar J, Sheyn D, and Bae H. Treatment with the NFkB Inhibitor Reduces Overloading-induced MMP Expression in Human Nucleus Pulposus cells. North American Spine Society Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL 2017.
  • Cyriac M, Ho A, Napier Z, Yu W, O’Brien J. Proximal Junctional Failure Following Posterior Spinal Fusion to the Lower Thoracic spine: the Effect of Cement Augmentation. (a) presented at International Meeting of Advanced Spine Techniques, Vancouver, BC 2013 (b) presented at the Hibbs Society, Scoliosis Research Society Annual Meeting, Anchorage, AK 2014.
  • NaPier, Z. Pandemic Response: Minimizing the Effects of a Lethal Influenza-Type Virus. Topics in Applied Mathematics: An Introduction to Complex Systems, Hanover, NH 2010.
  • POSTER PRESENTATIONS
  • Glaeser J, Tawackoli W, Ju D, Yang J, Kanim L, Salehi K, Yu V, Khnkoyan Z, NaPier Z, Bae H, Sheyn D. Optimization of Disc Degeneration Model in Rat Lumbar Spine.  Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting. Phoenix, Arizona, 2020.
  • Glaeser J, Behrens P, Salehi K, Kanim L, Sheyn D, NaPier Z, Cuellar J, Bae H.  NF-κB Inhibitor Suppresses Edema and Promotes rhBMP-2-mediated Bone Formation in Spinal Fusion. North American Spine Society Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA 2018.
  • Glaeser J, Salehi K, Kanim L, NaPier Z, Garcia L, Sheyn D, Cuellar J, Bae H. NEMO-binding Domain Peptide Suppresses rhBMP-2-induced Soft-tissue Inflammation in Rat. (1) Orthopaedic Research Society Southern California Regional Symposium: Orthopaedic Research: From Mechanism to Mechanics Los Angeles, CA 2017 (2) Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA 2018.
  • Glaeser J, Salehi K, Kanim L, NaPier Z, Kropf M, Cuellar J, Perry T, Sheyn D, Bae H. Treatment with NEMO Binding Domain Peptide Reduces Loading-induced MMP Expression in Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells. (1) Orthopaedic Research Society Southern California Regional Symposium: Orthopaedic Research: From Mechanism to Mechanics. Los Angeles, CA 2017 (2) Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA 2018.
  • NaPier Z, Kanim L, Kim S, Bae H, Glaeser J. Omega 3 Fatty Acids to Reduce Intervertebral Disc Degeneration. Orthopaedic Research Society Southern California Regional Symposium: Orthopaedic Research: From Mechanism to Mechanics. Los Angeles, CA 2017.
  • Long S, Stern C, NaPier Z, Rosen J, Soltanian H, Bentz M. Educational Efficacy of a Procedural Surgical Simulator in Plastic Surgery Residency Training : A Phase I Multi-Site Study. Plastic Surgery: The Meeting. San Diego, CA 2013.
  • Qualter J, Sculli F, Oliker A, NaPier Z, Lee S, Garcia J, Frenkel S, Harnk V, Triola M. The BioDigital Human: A Web-based 3D Platform for Medical Visualization and Education. Medicine Meets Virual Reality 19 / Nextmed, Newport Beach, CA 2012.