Michael Jefferson Spitnale, MD

Description

Choosing the right doctor is an important decision, and my goal is to make that choice easier by helping you understand who I am—not just as a spine surgeon, but as a person who is deeply committed to helping patients navigate their pain, treatment options, and long‑term health. My path to medicine began far from a traditional route. As a first‑generation college student working in a factory that produced roll‑up doors for semi‑trucks, I saw firsthand how physically demanding labor affects the body and how difficult it can be to access reliable medical guidance. Those early experiences shaped my commitment to breaking cycles, serving others, and becoming the kind of physician who listens deeply and meets patients where they are. I earned a degree in chemical engineering before pursuing medicine because I’ve always been drawn to problem‑solving, innovation, and working with my hands. Orthopaedic spine surgery became the perfect combination of these strengths, allowing me to integrate engineering principles—such as process improvement and precision—into compassionate, patient‑centered care. During my Spine Fellowship and my Full-Time Practice after I completed Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, I was fortunate to train under exceptional mentors who helped reshape how I approach every patient encounter. I learned that the most important step in caring for someone with spine concerns is not assuming the problem—but working alongside the patient to truly understand it. That means listening carefully, asking the right questions, and being humble enough to reevaluate when something doesn’t add up. This shift toward curiosity and empathy fundamentally changed my practice philosophy and continues to guide my clinical and research efforts. As a spine surgeon, my mission is simple: to help you get back to the life you want to live with clarity, confidence, and the best evidence‑based care available. Whether your concerns involve back pain, nerve symptoms, or complex spine pathology and deformity, I will work with you to find the source of the issue, explain your options in clear language, and build a treatment plan that respects your goals. What drives me every day—both in clinic and in research—is the desire to better understand spine conditions so we can improve outcomes for every patient who walks through the door. Your concerns are real, your story matters, and you deserve a doctor who is committed to both precision and compassion. Thank you for considering me as your physician. I look forward to partnering with you on your path to healing.

Keywords interspinous device placement, cervical laminotomy, cervical decompression, spine reconstruction, thoracic laminectomy, posterior lumbar laminectomy, posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion, minimally invasive spine surgery, spine injury, vertebral stapling, growing rods, lumbar scoliosis, congenital scoliosis, congenital malformation of the spine, spine revision, junctional kyphosis, flatback syndrome post harrington rods, spine deformities, occipito cervical fusion, cervical deformity, cervical spine revision, lumbar spine stress fracture, sacroiliac joint block, spinal abscess surgery, vertebrae surgery, surgery for sciatica, spondylosis surgery, spinal cord surgery, sacroiliac joint surgery, facet surgery, spinal cyst removal, robotic spine surgery, lateral access spine surgery, complex spine surgery, complex spine deformities, cervical spine surgery, artificial disc replacement surgery in the lumbar spine, artificial disc replacement surgery in the cervical spine, spinal tethering for scoliosis, neuromuscular scoliosis, vertebroplasty, vascular malformations of the spine, thoracic herniated disc, tethered spinal cord syndrome, spondylosyndesis, spondylosis with myelopathy, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, spondyloarthropathy, spondylectomy, spine stapling, spine deformity correction surgery, spine deformity, spine tumor, spinal stenosis, spinal schwannoma, spine microsurgery, meningioma of the spine, spine fusion, spine fracture, spinal dural graft, spinal cord compression, spinal abscess, spina bifida, scoliosis surgery, sciatica, scheuermann's disease, sacroiliac joint fusion, ruptured intervertebral disc, post laminectomy syndrome, post laminectomy kyphosis, neurogenic claudication, cervical spine fracture, myelopathy surgery, myelopathy, lumbosacral radiculopathy, lumbosacral plexus lesions, lumbar spine fusion, low back surgery, laminoplasty, laminectomy, kyphosis, kyphoplasty, intraspinal abscess, herniated disc, failed back surgery syndrome, extreme lateral interbody fusion, endoscopic spine surgery, diskectomy, disc surgery, disc replacement, disc arthroplasty, degenerative spine conditions, decompression laminectomy, cordotomy, compression fracture, cervical spinal stenosis, cervical spine fusion, cervical radiculopathy, cervical laminoplasty.