Patrick Flanigan, M.D.

I want to make sure that I have a thorough understanding of each patient I see. I believe listening is a true art form, and I know that I cannot help patients unless I truly understand them medically and understand how their medical issues impact them on a personal level. That is my primary goal with each encounter. I need to understand before I make assumptions or draw conclusions. I believe this helps me connect with my patients better, and it helps me tailor my approach to each patient.

Spine surgery, now and especially in the future, is not one-size-fits-all. I believe every patient has the right to be thoroughly informed on their condition and possible treatment options, but, even more so, every patient deserves a surgeon who will listen and take the time to understand them as a whole person.

I grew up in Austin, Texas. I am the oldest of three children. I enjoy sports, both watching and playing. I played two Division III collegiate sports — soccer and swimming. I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family. I love hiking, fishing, rock climbing and archery. I have two beautiful children and a lovely, supportive wife.

Education

• Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine

Internship

• Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles

Residency

• Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education

Fellowship

• Complex Spine Surgery, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education

Memberships

• American Medical Association
• American Association of Neurological Surgeons

• Complex degenerative spine disease
• Minimally-invasive spine surgery
• Non-operative spine care
• Spinal deformity
• Spinal oncology

• Bone morphogenetic protein in subaxial cervical arthrodesis: a meta-analysis of 5828 patients, May 2024.
• Interbody cages versus structural bone grafts in lumbar arthrodesis: a systematic review and meta-analysis, May 2024.
• Impact of preoperative spinal injections within 30 days of lumbar decompression on surgical outcomes: a matched institutional study, August 2023.
• The association between bone mineral density and proximal junctional kyphosis in adult spinal deformity: a systematic review and meta-analysis, April 2023.