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Dr. Jeffrey McConnell, MD, Allentown, PA, 18104

A native of Pennsylvania, Dr. McConnell returned to his home state in 2003 to join OAA’sPennsylvania Spine and Scoliosis Institute. He brings with him an unparalleled level of expertise and training in the discipline of spinal surgery, having completed two spine surgery fellowships and being board certified in both spinal surgery and orthopaedic surgery. Dr. McConnell had the unique opportunity to complete his second fellowship at the Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, England, with a primary focus on surgery for complex spinal deformities.

Before joining OAA, Dr. McConnell spent ten years in Virginia where he served as co-director of the Division of Spine Surgery at Naval Regional Medical Center, Portsmouth. He held faculty positions at two medical schools and established the Highlands Spine Institute, a center dedicated exclusively to the spine.

Dr. McConnell’s patients benefit not only from his experience and skills as a spinal surgeon, but also from his dedication and caring.

Dr. McConnell has strong subspecialty interests in treating paediatric spinal deformity (scoliosis), motion preservation technologies for spine surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery techniques. He is active in spine research and was the lead investigator for the SECURE-C Cervical Disc Replacement FDA IDE clinical trial and in a study comparing bone graft substitutes in anterior lumbar fusion surgery. Dr. McConnell has presented his research in the U.S and internationally at scientific meetings including the European Spine Society, International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine, North American Spine Society, American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Global Spine Congress and the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery. Dr. McConnell is also a leader in the use of cutting-edge surgical techniques, including Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) and cervical total disc arthroplasty. Along with Dr. Ujjwal Debnath, a former Nottingham colleague, he heads “Operation Straight Spine”, a charitable mission project which provides spinal disease and deformity treatment for the poor and underserved in India.

Doctor Quote

Dr. McConnell's patients benefit not only from his experience and skills as a spinal surgeon, but also from his dedication and caring.

Type of Spine Care Professional

  • Orthopedic Surgeon

Areas of Expertise

Conditions
  • Cervical Spine Disorders
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Degenerative Spinal Conditions
  • Herniated Disc / Bulging Disc
  • Lumbar Spine Disorders
  • Myelopathy
  • Sciatica / Radiculopathy
  • Scoliosis and Deformity
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Thoracic spine disorders
  • Trauma
  • Tumors
Treatments
  • Artificial Disc Replacement - Lumbar
  • Discectomy
  • Kyphoplasty
  • Lower Back Surgery
  • Microdiscectomy / microdecompression
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery
  • Neck Surgery
  • Scoliosis Surgery
  • Spinal Fusion

Certifications

  • American Board of Spine Surgery
  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • American Board of Independent Medical Examiners
  • National Board of Medical Examiners

Professional Distinctions

  • Spine Surgery Fellowships, University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore, MD and Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery, Queen’s Medical Centre, University Hospital in Nottingham, England
  • Clinical Assistant Professor of Surgery, Milton S. Hershey College of Medicine, Penn State University (Sept. 2005 – Present)
  • Clinical Adjunct Faculty, King’s College (Sept. 2004–Present)
  • AO North America – North American Spine Education Committee
  • AO ASIF Spine Faculty (March 2004-Present)

Professional Affiliations

  • American College of Spinal Surgeons
  • North American Spine Society
  • Spine Arthroplasty Society
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society
  • Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • Pennsylvania Medical Society
  • Lehigh County Medical Society
  • AO North America – Spine Faculty Member