Here are six spine surgeons who performed surgeries on professional athletes over the last year.
Dr. Drew Dossett performed spine surgery on Matt Harrison
The procedure: Drew Dossett, MD, performed spinal fusion on Texas Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison in June. The procedure was performed at The Carrell Clinic in Dallas. Mr. Harrison was suffering from severe nerve damage in his lower back.
The physician: Dr. Dossett provides care at The Carrell Clinic. He focuses on cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine disorders as well as spine athletic injuries. He is a member of the National Football League Team Physicians, Major League Baseball Team Physicians Organizations and serves as a spine consultant for the Dallas Cowboys Football Club. He has completed a spine surgery fellowship at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles.
Dr. Robert Watkins performed spine surgery on Shane Victorino, Grant Clitsome, Arian Foster, Brady Quinn & Adam Burish
The procedure(s): Over course of the last year Robert Watkins, MD, performed spine surgeries on:
• Boston Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino
• Houston Texans running back Arian Foster
• Winnipeg Jets defenseman Grant Clitsome
• St. Louis Rams' quarterback Brady Quinn
• San Jose Sharks right wing Adam Burish
The physician: Dr. Watkins is co-director of the Marina Spine Clinic in Marina Del Rey, Calif., and founding member of the North American Spine Society. He focuses on sports-related injuries and has participated in FDA-approved investigational studies. He has completed spine surgery fellowships at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopedic Hospital and Klinik fur Orthopadische Chirugie.
Dr. Charles Rich performed spine surgery on Tiger Woods
The procedure: Charles Rich, MD, successfully performed spine surgery on golfer Tiger Woods. He performed a microdiscectomy on Mr. Woods.
The physician: Dr. Rich is a neurosurgeon practicing with Neurosurgical Associates in Murray, Utah. He has a professional interest in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery, such as lumbar fusions, microdiscectomies, cervical artificial disc replacements and cervical fusions as well as spinal cord tumors and chiari malformations. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Congress of Neurological Surgeons and United States Ski Team Medical Board.
Dr. Luis Manuel Tumialan performed spine surgery on Amy Van Dyken-Rouen
The procedure: Luis Manuel Tumialan, MD, performed surgery on Olympic gold medalist swimmer Amy Van Dyken-Rouen at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center. Ms. Van Dyken-Rouen was involved in an ATV accident that broke her spine and severed her spinal cord. The operation lasted six hours, during which Dr. Tumialan and his team inserted rods into the Olympian's spine and performed a fusion.
The physician: Dr. Tumialan is a neurosurgeon practicing with Phoenix-based Barrow Neurosurgical Associates. He has privileges at Banner Thunderbird Medical Center and Scottsdale (Ariz.) Healthcare-Osborn Medical Center. He focuses on minimally invasive spine surgery as well as cervical and lumbar arthroplasty. He completed his neurosurgical residency at completed a fellowship in neurosurgery at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta.
Dr. Christopher Yeung performed spine surgery on Brett Anderson
The procedure: Christopher Yeung, MD, performed spine surgery on Colorado Rockies pitcher Brett Anderson. Mr. Anderson had a bulging disc, which forced him to skip a start against the Chicago Cubs in early August. An MRI revealed the disc was protruding backward toward the spinal cord.
The physician: Dr. Yeung practices at Desert Institute for Spine Care in Phoenix. He is the team spine surgeon and consultant for the AZ Diamondbacks, AZ Rattlers and many Cactus League teams. He gives presentations around the country on endoscopic spine surgery and performs the technique developed by his father, Anthony Yeung, MD, for minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery.
Dr. Joseph Maroon performed spinal fusion on Jermichael Finley
The procedure: Joseph Maroon, MD, FACS, performed a spinal fusion on the Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley to repair an injury the player incurred.
The physician: Dr. Maroon is a clinical professor of neurological surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and director of Tri-State Neurosurgical Associates. He also serves as the team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers and co-developed the ImPACT concussion assessment used in professional, college and amateur sports. He focuses on developing minimally invasive surgical procedures and preventing traumatic injury.
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