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Home > CO Providers > Pediatric Neurosurgeons

Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD

(164 Ratings)

Specializes in: Pediatric Neurosurgery

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine

Professional interests include: scoliosis, hydrocephalus, spine problems, and more.

1400 E. Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

(719) 365-5000

Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD is a pediatric neurosurgeon in Colorado Springs, CO specializing in pediatric neurosurgery. He graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD is affiliated with Children's Hospital Colorado, UCHealth, University of Colorado Medicine, UCHealth Brain and Spine Clinic - Colorado Springs and UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS INCORPORATED.

Office Locations

Address:

1400 E. Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Address:

1725 E. Boulder Street Suite 101
Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Address:

4050 Briargate Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Some issues Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD can help you with:

Hydrocephalus

Normally, the brain is bathed in a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid cushions and nurtures the brain cells as it flows around and through the brain. Sometimes, cerebrospinal fluid does not get reabsorbed into the body properly, or a blockage in the brain can stop it from flowing. This causes a buildup of pressure called hydrocephalus. This condition affects a wide range of people, but it is much more prevalent among infants and older adults. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as headaches and blurred vision, and eventually may cause brain damage.

Hydrocephalus is most often treated with an implanted device called a shunt. A shunt is a long, thin tube that is used to drain excess fluid. One end is placed within the brain. The tube runs under the skin, along the neck behind the ear, and to another part of the body where the fluid can be reabsorbed. Most often this is the abdomen, but the chest or other areas can also be used. Shunts have a valve that allows doctors to monitor and control the pressure within the brain. Insertion of a shunt is a surgical procedure that takes one to two hours. Incisions are made in the head and the abdomen, and the shunt is threaded into place before the openings are stitched closed.

In cases where hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage, a procedure called endoscopic third ventriculostomy, or ETV, may be performed. During this procedure, a surgeon makes a dime-sized hole in the skull and uses a thin tube with a camera on the end (called an endoscope) to see inside the brain. The surgeon punctures a hole in the floor of the third ventricle, a fluid-filled space within the brain. The hole provides an opening for cerebrospinal fluid to flow around the blockage, normalizing pressure. The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour and patients can often go home the following day. ETV can provide a permanent and safe alternative to a shunt, but it is only useful for patients whose hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage.

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	0
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	46
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	0
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

doctor visit	22
hospital care	63
inpatient care	63

**Gender**
Male	32
Female	45

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	62
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	19
From 75 to 84	19
85 and over	18
Less than 65	21

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	26
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	31
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	25
Dementia	21
Cancer	0

doctor visit	28
hospital care	61
inpatient care	61

**Gender**
Male	29
Female	40

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	52
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	22
From 75 to 84	18
85 and over	14
Less than 65	15

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	26
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	25
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	26
Dementia	26
Cancer	0

doctor visit	13
hospital care	43
inpatient care	43

**Gender**
Male	38
Female	41

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	54
Black	0
Hispanic	14
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	28
From 75 to 84	22
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	44
Chronic Kidney Disease	35
Asthma	14
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	32
Dementia	22
Cancer	0

doctor visit	13

**Gender**
Male	29
Female	31

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	47
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	23
From 75 to 84	18
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	55
Stroke	22
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	45
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	35
Dementia	23
Cancer	0

doctor visit	45
hospital care	59
inpatient care	59

**Gender**
Male	60
Female	61

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	92
Black	0
Hispanic	15
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	57
From 75 to 84	38
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	29
Dementia	17
Cancer	12

doctor visit	128

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD treated as a pediatric neurosurgeon in Colorado Springs, CO were hospital care and inpatient care.

doctor visit	44
hospital care	56
inpatient care	56

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD.

**Gender**
Female	21
Male	18

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	30
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	2
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	3
75 to 84	11
Less than 65	3
65 to 74	14

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and depression.

Hypertension	57
High Cholesterol	31
Stroke	10
Ischemic Heart Disease	16
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	5
Osteoporosis	5
Heart Failure	8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	14
Atrial Fibrillation	4
Dementia	10
Cancer	1

Education & Training

Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine. He completed residency at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Affiliated Hospitals. He has a state license in Virginia.

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine

Residency: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Affiliated Hospitals

Licensed In: Virginia

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Children's Hospital Colorado

UCHealth

University of Colorado Medicine

UCHealth Brain and Spine Clinic - Colorado Springs

UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS INCORPORATED

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Insurance Accepted by Affiliated Medical Group or Hospital:

Midlands Choice

EXCEPT

Mines & Associates

TRICARE / HealthNet Federal Services/West Region

Presbyterian Health Plan

MotivHealth/Denver Public Schools only

Cigna Connect/Colorado Option & SureFit)

First Choice of the Midwest

Optum Behavioral Health

Kaiser Permanente

Employers Health Network/Whole Foods only

Rocky Mountain Health Plans

First Health Network

Craig/Swedish/Spaulding Health Benefit Trust

Colorado Community Health Alliance

Aetna

UnitedHealthcare

First Choice Health

Simplified Benefits Administrators (fka UCHealth Plan Administrators)

Colorado Access

Denver Health & Hospital Authority - Elevate Medicaid Choice

Because changes may not be immediately reflected, please contact your plan to understand your benefits and coverage and to make sure that both Children's Colorado and University of Colorado...

Pathway, Pathway PPO, Pathway Essentials, Pathway Essentials PPO, Pathway Standard, Pathway PPO Standard, Pathway Essentials Standard, Pathway Essentials PPO Standard)

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield/Elevance

Evernorth Behavioral Health, Inc.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

- Denver Metro Region

South Dakota Department of Health - Kids with Chronic Conditions

Denver Health Medical Plan

ComPsych

Humana

Integrated Health Plans

- Colorado Springs Region

Carelon Behavioral Health

USA Managed Care Organization

Pathway Essentials, Pathway Essentials PPO, Pathway Essentials Standard, Pathway Essentials PPO Standard)

Stratose / Zelis Healthcare

MultiPlan

Cigna

Select Health

Centivo

Big Sky Region

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Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 164 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Colorado Springs, CO.

4.9

Overall Rating

(164 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Thomas S. Ridder, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Centinel Spine, LLC	$717 PRODISC L $717
Medtronic, Inc.	$216 MAZOR X SYSTEM $157	SPACE-D SYSTEM 5.5/6.0 VOYAGER INSTRUMENT SET $44	OSTEOCOOL RF ABLATION SYSTEM $15
Stryker Corporation	$153 Neuro Sets $53	DuraMatrix $38	CASCADIA Interbody System $31	GMRS $16	DELTA $16
Boston Scientific Corporation	$77 WaveWriter Alpha Prime 16 $17	WAVEWRITER ALPHA $17	GENERAL - PAIN MANAGEMENT $14	$28
Integra LifeSciences Corporation	$46 CODMAN HAKIM Precision Valve $46
Other	$51 RNSSystem $22	MazorX Renaissance $19	LOTTA PEDIATRIC VENTRICULOSCOPE $11

**Types of Payments**
Travel and Lodging	$630
Food and Beverage	$585
Education	$44

Biography

Dr. Thomas Ridder specializes in pediatric neurosurgery and practices in Colorado Springs, CO. Areas of expertise for Dr. Ridder include scoliosis, neurosurgery, and chiari malformation. Dr. Ridder's average rating from his patients is 5.0 stars (out of 5). After completing medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine, he performed his residency at a hospital affiliated with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). He is affiliated with Children's Hospital Colorado, UCHealth, and the University of Colorado Medicine.