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Combined Neurosurgery Orthopedic Surgery Pediatric Spinal Deformity Team

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The University of South Alabama (USA) offers a collaborative pediatric spine surgery program that combines the expertise of both neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery services. This the only dedicated combined program on the Gulf Coast.
 
This integrated approach ensures comprehensive care for complex spinal deformities, trauma, and congenital conditions in children. By leveraging the distinct skills of neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine specialists, the program addresses intricate neurological and structural challenges with precision. The team’s multidisciplinary efforts enable a seamless evaluation process, individualized surgical planning, and advanced intraoperative techniques, all aimed at achieving optimal outcomes while prioritizing patient safety and recovery.
 
The program is recognized for its commitment to innovation and excellence in pediatric spine care. Surgeons utilize state-of-the-art technologies to enhance surgical accuracy and protect neurological function. Additionally, the service places a strong emphasis on collaboration with rehabilitation specialists and pediatric anesthesiologists to provide holistic, family-centered care. Through this unique partnership between neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery, USA Health’s pediatric spine surgery service delivers cutting-edge solutions tailored to the unique needs of young patients.
 

Training and Leadership

Richard Menger, M.D., M.P.A., is a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurosurgeon and chief of complex spine surgery at USA Health. Dr. Menger completed his Advanced Pediatric Spinal Deformity Fellowship at Columbia University in New York City at the Och Spine Hospital/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York. This is the only fellowship of its kind in the country focusing on complex pediatric spine treatment. Dr. Menger completed this orthopedic spine fellowship as a neurosurgeon. Learn more about this specialized training.

 

Anthony Martino, M.D., Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery, underwent specific fellowship training in general pediatric neurosurgery at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Learn more about neurosurgery at USA Health.

 

Tyler McDonald, M.D., Assistant Professor at the Whiddon College of Medicine, focuses on pediatric orthopaedic surgery. Learn more about pediatric orthopaedics at USA Health.

 

 

Specific Conditions Treated

  • Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

  • Early onset scoliosis

  • Infantile/juvenile scoliosis

  • Congenital scoliosis

  • Hemivertebra

  • Kyphosis

  • Neuromuscular scoliosis

  • Spondylolisthesis

  • Back pain

  • Herniated disc

  • Pinched nerve

  • Tethered cord release

  • Syrnix and syringomyelia

  • Pediatric spinal tumors

  • Pediatric spinal trauma

  • Radiculopathy

  • Sagittal imbalance
     
     
     

Types of Non-Operative and Surgical Services Offered

  • Minimally invasive spine surgery

  • Spinal decompression

  • Scoliosis bracing

  • Mehta casting

  • Growing rods

  • Magnetically controlled growing rods (MAGEC)

  • Vertically expandable prosthetic titanium tib (VEPTR)

  • Revision spine surgery

  • Complex spine reconstructions

  • Spinal osteotomies (PCO, PSO, VCR)

 
 

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