Spine Universe Author Biography

Christopher A. Yeung, M.D. is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon. Dr. Yeung treats a full spectrum of degenerative and traumatic spinal conditions from the cervical to the lumbar spine. He has a special interest in minimally invasive spine surgery techniques including endoscopic lumbar discectomy and foraminoplasty, percutaneous pedicle screw spinal fusion, mini-open anterior lumbar fusion, disc arthroplasty and nuclear replacement, posterior cervical foraminotomy, and transforaminal epidural injections.

Dr. Yeung recently completed his spine fellowship, thus he is well versed in these newer minimally invasive techniques which are now emerging. The philosophy of choosing the least invasive yet effective method to treat spine problems guides his practice. This helps reduce the destructive effect that standard approaches to the spine can cause and allows for quicker recovery times, earlier rehabilitation, less pain, and better overall patient satisfaction.

Dr. Yeung graduated magna cum laude from the University of California San Diego and was elected into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He graduated in the top 5% of his medical school class at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, and was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He attended the University of California Irvine Medical Center for his orthopedic residency. He then completed a spine surgery fellowship at the USC Center for Orthopaedic Spine Surgery/Los Angeles Spine Surgery Institute under the direction of internationally renowned Robert Watkins, M.D. and Lytton Williams, M.D.

During the spine fellowship and in his own practice, Dr. Yeung has treated many current and retired professional athletes and has extensive experience in dealing with sports related spine injuries.

Dr. Yeung has served as faculty for the North American Spine Society - Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Techniques Hands on Course, and has authored several book chapters, and peer-reviewed articles.

SpineUniverse articles from Christopher A. Yeung, M.D.

• Indications for Foraminal Endoscopic Surgery: Part 2
  Most disc herniations are amenable to endoscopic disc excision and the timing of surgical treatment is similar to transcanal discectomy.
• Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Introduction - Part 1
  Endoscopic spine surgery is evolving rapidly due to improvements in surgical technique, endoscopic design, and instrumentation.
• Potential Complications and Avoidance: Part 3
  As with arthroscopic knee surgery, the risks of serious complications or injury are low; approximately 1% or less in the author's experience.
• Summary and References: Part 4
  Endoscopic spine surgery has a high learning curve, but is within the grasp of every endoscopic surgeon with proper training.