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INTRODUCTION
Watkins Spine are the premier spine surgeons treating professional athletes. Their practice started with Robert G. Watkins, III, MD. Dr. Watkins pioneered the treatment of athletes with spinal injuries by: writing the original textbook Spine in Sports, developing the back strengthening program, mastering minimally-invasive spine surgery, spending countless hours in locker-rooms learning from team medical staffs, and treating thousands of athletes along the lines of Troy Aikman, Wayne Gretzky, and Randy Johnson.
His son, Robert G. Watkins, IV, MD, joined him in 2004. They have worked together for 20 years, taking care of high school, college, and professional athletes including Peyton Manning, Rob Gronkowski, Dwight Howard, and Jonathan Quick. Dr. Robert Watkins, III, is still actively involved in Watkins Spine, as an advisor and assistant in surgical care.
Dr. Robert Watkins, IV, is the Director of the Marina Spine Center, past Chief of Staff of Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital, and current spine surgeon for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rams, Lakers, Clippers, and Kings. He regularly advises the Los Angeles Chargers, Angels, Ducks, Galaxy, and LAFC. He also provides consultation for many professional teams: 15 NFL, 5 MLB, 4 NBA, and 4 NHL. He is currently a spine consultant for the NFL Scouting Combine.
Drs. Watkins III and IV developed the Back Doctor App which is a comprehensive spine rehabilitation program. They use this program to help professional athletes avoid surgery, and also after surgery, to guide them back to sports safely. Drs. Watkins have given away this program to help hundreds of thousands of people suffering with back and neck pain.
Dr. David Chang joined the Watkins Spine team in 2007. He has been essential to the success of Watkins Spine. The three surgeons have operated together, discussed every surgical case, and taken care of all the athletes and patients of Watkins Spine to ensure the highest level of care. Dr. Chang is the past Chairman of Surgery Department at Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital and an expert in minimally-invasive spine surgery and computer-guided navigation.
Dr. Gideon Blumstein recently joined the Watkins Spine team. He has extensive training in spine surgery from USC, UCLA, Rush, and multiple neurosurgical endoscopic fellowships. He specializes in non-invasive treatments and endoscopic spine surgery.
WATKINS SPINE DOCTORS
DR. ROBERT G. WATKINS IV
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon & Co-Director
Robert G. Watkins, IV, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon. He specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, artificial disc replacement, and computer-guided spine surgery. He is the spine surgeon for the L.A. Rams, L.A. Dodgers, L.A. Lakers, L.A. Clippers, L.A. Kings, and LAFC.
DR. DAVID CHANG
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Dr. David Chang is a board certified orthopedic spine surgeon, the past Chairman of Surgery Department at Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital, and an expert in minimally-invasive spine surgery, computer-guided navigation, artificial disc replacement surgery, and spine surgery in elite athletes.
DR. GIDEON BLUMSTEIN
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Gideon is a an orthopedic spine surgeon, M.D., who has extensive training in spine surgery from USC, UCLA, Rush and neurosurgical endoscopic fellowships. He specializes in non-invasive treatments and endoscopic spine surgery. Gideon is a great guy, who cares about patients, and fits right in with our family at Watkins Spine.
DR. ROBERT G. WATKINS III
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon & Co-Director
Dr. Robert Watkins III is a board certified orthopedic spine surgeon and past Director of the Marina Spine Clinic. His expertise ranges from innovative spine surgeries to treatment of sports related injuries. In fact, his practice includes the successful treatment of professional athletes from all over the country, as well as adolescent sports heroes and recreational athletes.
He is a founding member of the North American Spine Society, a prolific author of books and articles on spine surgery, and a world-renowned surgeon in the treatment of professional athletes.
