Marco C. Mendoza, MD

“Throughout my training, the management of spinal disorders captured my attention more than any other field. Having published numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles, I developed an appreciation of the intricacy and sophistication of the field. I believe spinal surgery is incredibly complex from both a clinical and technical standpoint. Proper patient selection and choice of procedure can be every bit, if not more challenging, than the surgery itself. Because every patient is different, determining who can actually benefit from the vast array of available procedures embodies the art of medicine. I take a conservative approach and have a particular interest in utilizing minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures and motion-preserving techniques in patients who have exhausted non-operative treatments. My free time is largely spent with my wife, three children, and two dogs. I enjoy playing basketball, golf, and snowboarding.”

Board-Certified: American Board of Orthopedic Surgery

Fellowship: Spine Surgery, OrthoCarolina Spine Center, Charlotte, NC

Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center, Chicago, IL

Internship: Combined Orthopaedic Surgery, McGaw Medical Center/Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

MD: University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY

Member: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, North American Spine Society, Lumbar Spine Research Society, AO Spine

To see what Dr. Mendoza’s patients are saying about him, click here!

Anatomy of the Spine & Spine Health

Spine Basics: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases–conditions/spine-basics

Low Back Basics: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/globalassets/pdfs/about-your-back.pdf

Disc Herniation: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/globalassets/pdfs/herniated-disk.pdf

Keeping Your Back Healthy: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/staying-healthy/?bodyPart=Back

Osteoporosis: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/osteoporosis/

Osteoporosis & Spine Fractures: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/osteoporosis-and-spinal-fractures/

Neck Problems

Pinched Nerve (Cervical Radiculopathy): https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/cervical-radiculopathy-pinched-nerve/

Neck Arthritis (Cervical Spondylosis): https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/cervical-spondylosis-arthritis-of-the-neck/

Spinal Cord Compression (Myelopathy): https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/cervical-spondylotic-myelopathy-spinal-cord-compression/

Back Problems

Slipped Vertebrae (Spondylolisthesis): https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/adult-spondylolisthesis-in-the-low-back/

Back Pain in Children: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/back-pain-in-children/

Cauda Equina: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/cauda-equina-syndrome/

Lumbar Herniated Disc (Disc Bulge): https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/herniated-disk-in-the-lower-back/

Lumbar Herniated Disc Video: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/herniated-disk-animation/

Lumbar Stenosis (Pressure on Nerves): https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/lumbar-spinal-stenosis/

Lumbar Stenosis Video: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/spinal-stenosis-animation/

Pars Fracture (Spondylolysis): https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/spondylolysis-and-spondylolisthesis/

Treatments & Surgeries

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF): https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/treatment/anterior-lumbar-interbody-fusion

Bone Grafts in Spine Surgery: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/treatment/bone-grafts-in-spine-surgery

Cervical Radiculopathy Treatment Options: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/cervical-radiculopathy-surgical-treatment-options/

Cervical Myelopathy Treatment Options: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/treatment/cervical-spondylotic-myelopathysurgical-treatment-options

Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (XLIF): https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/treatment/lateral-lumbar-interbody-fusion

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/minimally-invasive-spine-surgery/

Transforaminal Interbody Fusion (TLIF): https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/spinal-fusion-plif-tlif/

Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/posterolateral-lumbar-fusion/

Preparing for Back Surgery: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/preparing-for-low-back-surgery/

Spinal Fusion: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/treatment/spinal-fusion

Words Used During Spine Surgery: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/treatment/spinal-fusion-glossary

Spine Conditioning Program: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/recovery/spine-conditioning-program

Microdiscectomy:  https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/back-surgery/microdiscectomy-microdecompression-spine-surgery

Lumbar Laminectomy: https://www.spine-health.com/treatment/back-surgery/lumbar-laminectomy-surgery-spinal-stenosis-open-decompression