Robert Watkins Jr., MD, is an orthopedic spine surgeon and co-director of the Marina Spine Center at Marina del Ray (Calif.) Hospital with his father, also a spine surgeon. Dr. Watkins has a special interest in minimally invasive spine surgery, computer-guided spine surgery, artificial disc replacement and spinal deformity. He has authored papers and chapters on spine biomechanics and spine deformity, as well as spine injuries pertaining to athletic activity.
The father and son spine surgeon duo serve as spinal consultants for the University of Southern California, Los Angeles Dodgers and other sports teams in southern California. Last year they performed spine surgery on then-Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and more recently worked with former Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard.
He participates in research related to biologics for spine surgery, spinal fusions and surgical technology.
"The improvements in the surgical technology have made performing spinal fusions more effective, therefore they are done more often," says Dr. Watkins. "Computer navigation allows us to put instrumentation such as pedicle screws into the spine minimally invasively with three-dimensional visualization, which makes the procedure safer and faster. In some difficult cases 20 years ago surgeons wouldn't recommend surgery for patients because it was too dangerous, but now it can be done more safely because of computer navigation."
Dr. Watkins completed his medical degree at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. He then completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California General Hospital. Later, he finished a spine fellowship at The Queen's Medical Centre in England. Dr. Watkins was then a travelling spine in Europe specializing in artificial disc replacement and scoliosis surgery.
The father and son spine surgeon duo serve as spinal consultants for the University of Southern California, Los Angeles Dodgers and other sports teams in southern California. Last year they performed spine surgery on then-Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning and more recently worked with former Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard.
He participates in research related to biologics for spine surgery, spinal fusions and surgical technology.
"The improvements in the surgical technology have made performing spinal fusions more effective, therefore they are done more often," says Dr. Watkins. "Computer navigation allows us to put instrumentation such as pedicle screws into the spine minimally invasively with three-dimensional visualization, which makes the procedure safer and faster. In some difficult cases 20 years ago surgeons wouldn't recommend surgery for patients because it was too dangerous, but now it can be done more safely because of computer navigation."
Dr. Watkins completed his medical degree at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. He then completed an orthopedic surgery residency at the Los Angeles County/University of Southern California General Hospital. Later, he finished a spine fellowship at The Queen's Medical Centre in England. Dr. Watkins was then a travelling spine in Europe specializing in artificial disc replacement and scoliosis surgery.