Ricky R. Kalra, MD

Education

High School: Plano Senior High School, Plano, Texas

Undergraduate University: Rice University, Houston, Texas

Medical School: Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri

Neurosurgery Residency: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah

Fellowship: Complex and MIS Spine Surgery, University of Utah and Krankenhaus Tutzing, Munich, Germany

Ricky R. Kalra, MD

Dr. Ricky R. Kalra is a distinguished, board-certified neurosurgeon specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery and complex scoliosis treatments. A native of Plano, Texas, Dr. Kalra’s academic journey began at Rice University in Houston, Texas, where he completed his undergraduate studies. He then earned his medical degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Pursuing his passion for neurosurgery, Dr. Kalra completed his residency at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, focusing on brain tumors and complex scoliosis surgery. During this time, he conducted significant research on brain tumors, earning national recognition with the Preuss Award from the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. His contributions to spine surgery research were also acknowledged with the Charlie Kunz Award by the Joint Spine Section for his work on lumbar fusions. To further refine his expertise, Dr. Kalra completed a fellowship in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery at the University of Utah and Krankenhaus Tutzing in Munich, Germany. Currently, Dr. Kalra leads Kalra Brain & Spine in Frisco, Texas, where he emphasizes patient-centered care, utilizing the latest technology and techniques to provide minimally invasive surgical options. His practice is dedicated to educating patients, treating symptoms, and facilitating rapid recovery, often employing multidisciplinary treatment plans that include physical therapy, injections, and lifestyle modifications. Dr. Kalra’s commitment to excellence has been recognized by his peers, as evidenced by his consistent inclusion in D Magazine’s Best Doctors in Dallas and Collin County since the inception of his practice.

Specialties:

  • Neurosurgery
  • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
  • Complex Scoliosis Surgery

Practice Highlights:

  • Board-certified neurosurgeon with specialized training in minimally invasive spine surgery.
  • Recognized for research contributions in brain tumors and lumbar fusions.
  • Leads a patient-centered practice focusing on rapid recovery and comprehensive care.
  • Consistently named among D Magazine’s Best Doctors in Dallas and Collin County.

Publications

1. Kalra R, Couldwell WT. Regulation of the blood-brain barrier: new treatments for CNS neoplasms. World Neurosurgery April 2011.

​2. Taussky P, Kalra R, Coppens J, Mohebali J, Jensen RL, Couldwell WT. Endocrinological outcome after pituitary transposition (hypophysopexy) and adjuvant radiotherapy for tumors involving the cavernous sinus. J Neurosurg 115:55–62, 2011.

​3. Taussky P, Kalra R, Couldwell WT. Delayed vasospasm after cranial base tumor resection: case report. Cent Eur Neurosurg 2012(4): 249-252, 2012.

4. Kalra R, Walker ML. Posterior plagiocephaly. Childs Nerv Syst 28(9): 1389-1393, 2012.

​5. Kalra R, Taussky P, Niazi T, Couldwell WT. Pituitary tumors: genetics and hereditable predisposition in tumors of the Central Nervous System (ed. M.A. Hayat), Springer, New York. Jan 2013.

​6. Kalra R, Dailey AT. Intradural Spinal Cord Tumors In Spine Surgery Basics (ed. Patel, Patel, Harrop, Burger), Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, 2014.

​7. Kalra R, Kestle J. Evaluation of the h-index in pediatric neurosurgeons. J Neurosurg Pediatr.12: 262-265, 2013.

​8. Kalra R, Kestle JR. Treatment of hydrocephalus with shunts In Principles & Practices of Pediatric Neurosurgery (ed. Albright, Pollack, Adelson), Thieme, New York. In press.

​9. Cote M, Kalra R, Wilson T, Orlandi R, Couldwell WT. Surgical fidelity: comparing the microscope and endoscope. Acta Neurochir. 2013 Dec;155(12):2299-303.

​10. Kalra, R, Schmidt M. Rheumatoid degenerative instability of the C1-C2 joint and symptomatic os odontoideum: transoral approach. Spinal Surgery, a neurosurgical approach. Accepted.

​11. Kalra R, Schmidt M, and Beisse, R. Thoracoscopic Spine Surgery. Youmans Neurological Surgery. 7th edition. Accepted.

​12. Kalra, R,Jenkins NC, et all. Genetic drivers of metastatic dissemination in sonic hedgehog medulloblastoma. Acta Neuropathologica Communications. Jul 25;2:85, 2014.

​13. Kalra, R, Schmidt M. Thoracoscopic Corpectomy and Reconstruction in Benzel’s Spine Surgery, 4e. Accepted. 2014.

​14. Schmidt M. and Kalra, R. Thoracoscopic Spine Surgery. Handbook of Spine Surgery. 2nd edition. 2016.

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