Biography
- Medical School - UCLA - 1st in class in surgery
- Residency - UCLA Orthopedic Surgery
- Spine Surgery Fellowship - University of Wisconsin
Dr. McDonough attended medical school
at UCLA in Los Angeles, California. He graduated as the
winner of the Longmire Medal as the student graduating number one
in his class in surgery.
Dr. McDonough's medical training continued at UCLA
in an Orthopaedic surgery residency. He received a score of 100th
percentile on an "intraining exam", (exams given to all residents in the
country) this is celebrated and highly uncommon.
Dr. McDonough developed an interest in spinal surgery
working with Dr. Rick Delamarter, the premier west coast spinal surgeon.
This clinical experience as well as research experience provided the
privilege of acceptance into a spinal surgery fellowship under the
world famous Dr. Thomas Zdeblick. In 2001 Dr. McDonough
relocated to Abilene, Texas with his family.
Dr.
McDonough is Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic
Surgery.
What is spine surgery
fellowship training?
A spinal fellowship is the highest level of
training available for spine surgery in the United States. Some
orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons, at the conclusion of their standard
medical training, undergo advanced training devoted entirely to spinal
surgery. This allows the opportunity to be involved in cutting
edge research and surgery. There is exposure to very complex disorders
and problems, and provides training in the newest and most advanced
techniques and equipment.
Dr. McDonough is the only fellowship trained
spinal surgeon between the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex and Lubbock.
He underwent training under the direction of Dr. Thomas Zdeblick, a
world-renowned spinal surgeon. Fellowship training allowed
one-on-one mentorship. Dr. Zdeblick has developed and refined many
new techniques and surgical instruments that have improved spinal surgery
over the last 15 years.
Procedures
Dr. McDonough specializes in the most current
surgical procedures that use microscopic techniques and smaller
incisions when possible. This minimizes post-operative pain and
allows the most
rapid recovery. The approaches are particularly suited to
younger, active patients.
* Cervical artificial disk surgery - just released
in 2007
* X-Stop - for patients ages 50 and over who have
lumbar spinal stenosis - new for 2007
*Xlif - a unique minimally invasive spine surgery
that accesses the spine through the patient's side, rather than through
the back - new for 2007
* Removal of herniated disk by microsurgery
* Spinal fusion through mini anterior
approach
* Neck microsurgery - Using this modern
technique allows most patients to go home the next morning
* Neck and back reconstruction for severe
problems
* BMP- a breakthrough genetically engineered
product to speed and enhance spinal fusion
* Use of the newest titanium spinal
instrumentation
* Kyphoplasty - Use of bone cement to
stabilize spinal fractures in patients with osteoporosis
* Treatment for patients that have failed
prior surgery. Some people have had spinal surgery and have had
persistence of pain or recurrence of pain. In some instances, the
problems may be corrected such as if the fusion did not heal.
Metroplex?
There is no longer any need to travel the distance
to go to the Metroplex to obtain premier quality spinal surgery. Dr.
McDonough brings cutting edge surgical techniques from his training in Los
Angeles, and at the University of Wisconsin. This allows patients to stay closer to friends and family
and still have excellent treatment. Treatment in Abilene allows
friendly, personalized care instead of being lost in one of the big
medical mills or impersonal large hospitals in the Metroplex.
After surgery, you will be much closer to your
physician after surgery in case you have any concerns or problems.
Treatment in Abilene means that follow-up visits will not require the
hours of travel and hassles of traveling to the city.
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