Delivering Cutting-Edge
Spine Services
Dr. Andrew Chung
Dr. Andrew Chung is one of few double-fellowship-trained board certified spine surgeons in the Valley. He has trained with world renowned neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons at some of the leading hospitals in the nation including: Mayo Clinic, University of Southern California, and Cedars-Sinai.
He has extensive training in the latest ultra-minimally invasive, robotic, motion preservation, and outpatient spine surgical techniques. He is considered an international expert in endoscopic spine surgery, the least invasive, evidence-based spine surgery currently available today.
Double Fellowship Trained
Board Certified Spine Surgeon
Dr. Chung is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of all musculoskeletal issues of the spine and extremities. As limb (thigh, leg, foot, arm, hand) pain may oftentimes be confused with spinal problems, or vice versa, Dr. Chung’s orthopedic training allows him to accurately diagnose the source of pain. He will ensure you are being treated for the right problem. Furthermore, having trained with both orthopedic and neurosurgical spine surgeons, he brings the best of both worlds when providing state-of-the art, spine care to his patients.
A surgeon-scientist, Dr. Chung has authored over 65 peer-reviewed articles in major spine and orthopedic journals and has written several book chapters on spine surgical care. His research has been presented both nationally and internationally. He additionally serves as a reviewer for several major spine journals.
Research Expertise
- Post-surgical pain management (how to minimize post-surgical pain)
- Peri-operative optimization (ensuring patients are also as medically safe as possible before and after surgery)
- Ultra minimally invasive spine surgery
Finally, Dr. Chung takes pride in his journey from chiropractic school to becoming a spine surgeon. As a result of his training, he takes on a conservative and holistic approach to spine care. He treats all of his patients as he would any of his family members.
Education and training
- Texas Chiropractic College, BS
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine – D.O. (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)
- Mayo Clinic – Arizona, Residency in Orthopedic Surgery
Fellowships
- University of Southern California – Combined Neurosurgery/Orthopedic Spine Fellowship, Los Angeles, CA
- Comprehensive Minimally Invasive and Outpatient Spine Surgery Fellowship - (Cedars-Sinai, Docs Hospital); Los Angeles / Beverly Hills, CA
Professional affiliations
- North American Spine Society
- American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons
- AO Spine
- Korean American Spine Society
Select Research publications
Chung AS, Wang J. Scientific View on Spinal Endoscopy. Can Spinal Endoscopy Become a Mainstream Surgical Tool? World Neurosurgery. 2020 Jun 1:S1878-8750(20)31209-2
Chung AS, Crandall D, Chang Y, Revella J, Chang M. Does Liposomal Bupivacaine Reduce Pain in Adult Deformity Surgery? Global Spine J. In Press
Renfree S, Chung A, Crandall D. Pre-operative Functional Status and Comorbidity Burden are Risk Factors for Delay in Surgery in Patients Undergoing Elective ACDF. Journal of Spine Surgery. 2019 Dec;5(4);475-482
Hydrick T, Rubel N, Lara N, Makovicka JM, Chang MS, Chung AS. Ninety-Day Readmission in Revision Lumbar Spine Surgery in the Inpatient Setting. Global Spine J. In Press
Chung AS, Kimball J, Min E, Wang JC. Endoscopic Spine Surgery – Increasing Usage and Prominence in Mainstream Spine Surgery and Spine Societies. Journal of Spine Surgery. In Press.
Chung AS, Gendelberg D, Jimenez J, Khanderhoo B, Kahwaty S.Does Perioperative Teriparatide in Osteoporotic Patients Help Increase BoneDensity and Decrease Mechanical Complications – Minimum 2-year Radiologic Study Measuring Hounsfield Units. Eur Spine J. In Press.
Chung AS, Ravinsky R, Hsieh P. Cervical Spine Fusion –Comparison of Different Osteobiologics and Different Imaging Modalities andTime Frames for Fusion Assessment. Global Spine J. In Press
Doan MK. Chung AS, Makovicka JL, Hassebrock JD,Polveroni TM, Patel KA. Comparison of 2-level Cervical Disc Replacement versus2-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion in the Outpatient Setting. Spine. 2020 Dec 14.
Hsieh P, Chung AS, et. al. Autologous Stem Cells in Cervical Spinal Fusion. Global Spine J. 2020 Sep 23.
Chung AS, Deckey D, Hassebrock J, Patel K, Makovicka JM, Chhabra A. Epidemiology of Cervical Spine Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Athletes. 2009/2010-2014/2015. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2019 Jun 15;44(12):848-854.
Rubel N, Chung AS, Wong M, Lara N, Makovicka JL, Arvind V, Chang MS, Cho SK. Ninety-Day Readmission in Elective Primary Lumbar Spine Surgery in the Inpatient Setting. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2019 Feb 4.
Buser Z, Chung AS, Abedi A, Wang J, The Future of Disc Surgery and Regeneration. Int. Orthopedics. 2019 Apr:43(4):995-1002.
Anand N, Kong C, Alayan A, Khanderhoo B, KahwatyS, Gendelberg D, Chung AS. Management of Severe Adult Spinal Deformity with Circumferential Minimally Invasive Surgical Strategies without Posterior Column Osteotomies – A 13-year experience. Spine Deformity. 2022 Sep;10(5):1157-1168
Chung AS, Campbell D, Waldrop R, Crandall D. Metabolic Syndrome and 30-day Outcomes. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2017 Aug 29.
Anand N, Chung AS, Kong C, Alayan A, Khanderhoo B, Kahwaty S. Prevalence and Modes of Posterior Hardware Failure with a StagedProtocol for Circumferential Minimally Invasive Surgical (CMIS) Correction ofAdult Spinal Deformity (ASD). International Journal of Spine Surgery. 2022Jun;16(3):481-489.
Chung AS, Copay A, Olmscheid N, Campbell D, Walker B, Chutkan N. Minimal Clinically Important Difference: Current Trends in the Spine Literature. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2017 July 15;42(14):1096-1005.
Chung AS, Ballatori A, Ortega B, Min E, Formanek B, Liu J, Hsieh P, Hah R, Wang J, Buser Z. Is Less Really More? Economic Evaluation of Minimally Invasive Surgery. Global Spine J. 2020 Sep 25.
