George D. Picetti, III, M.D., is a highly specialized minimally-invasive adult
and pediatric spine surgeon at the Sutter Neuroscience Medical Group and Sutter
Neuroscience Institute at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento.
Known internationally for his minimally-invasive approach to scoliosis treatment,
Dr. Picetti has developed new treatment options for adults and children with
scoliosis and degenerative lumbar disorders. His innovative approach to spine
and scoliosis surgery minimizes incision scarring and reduces the amount of
damage to tissue and blood loss occurring during surgery. In addition, he is
widely recognized as the expert in highly complex adult deformity and reconstruction.
Education and Experience
Dr. Picetti earned a medical degree at Creighton University. His internship
and residency were at the Kaiser Foundation Hospital. He followed his general
surgical training as a research associate and an Orthopaedic Residency at the
San Francisco Orthopaedic Resident Training Program at St. Mary's Hospital.
Dr. Picetti was an Orthopaedic Spine Fellow at the Texas Back Institute.
Dr. Picetti has authored a combination of over 30 peer-reviewed articles and
has an active interest in research. He has traveled internationally to address
the latest advancements in spine surgery. Dr. Picetti has more than 10 years
experience treating and teaching in numerous developing countries and currently
serves as the director of Spine Overseas, a volunteer-based program for orthopedic
and neurosurgeons to treat complex spinal pathologies in developing countries.
Dr. Picetti is one of the most widely recognized minimally invasive spine surgeons.
In the mid-1990s Dr. Picetti began to pioneer an endoscopic instrumentation
for the treatment of scoliosis. Endoscopes allow the surgeon to see inside the
body and operate through small incisions called portals.
Using this technique for scoliosis and spine surgery, scars are dramatically
less noticeable, blood loss during surgery is reduced, there is less disruption
to the rib cage, muscles and other soft tissues, post-operative pain is lessened,
fewer days are spent in the hospital, and rehabilitation and recovery are easier
and faster.
Professional Interests
Dr. Picetti specializes in complex adult and pediatric spine surgery and spine
deformity reconstruction. He treats patients with a wide-range of spine disorders
including scoliosis, spine bifida, kyphosis, congenital and developmental spinal
abnormalities, tumors, infections and fractures.
Dr. Picetti specializes in treating children with scoliosis and other spine
abnormalities, and is head of minimally invasive spine surgery at the Children’s
Center. The goal of the Children’s Center is to provide each child access to
the most advanced surgical treatments, including minimally invasive treatment
options. Using a patient- and family-centered care approach to care, Dr. Picetti
can tailor an individual treatment plan for each child and explain the plan
to the family. When a minimally invasive surgical treatment is an option (surgery
without the large incision), children are able to spend less time recovering
in the hospital and are able to get back to their pain-free lifestyles much
faster than traditional surgeries.
George D. Picetti, III, MD is on the Spine Universe Editorial Board.
