Alan Santiago

I was born and raised in the U.S. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. I attended the University of Puerto Rico where I obtained my undergraduate degree in Biology and graduated with High Honors. I then attended the University of Puerto Rico – School of Medicine where I obtained my medical degree and graduated with High Honors. I took a keen interest in Orthopedic Surgery early during my medical education, which propelled me to pursue a post-graduate residency in the latter. Short thereafter, I moved to Houston, Texas, where I completed my Orthopedic Residency at Baylor College of Medicine. Despite being afforded with a well-rounded and complete Orthopedic Surgical training, I gravitated towards Spine Surgery, which drove me to pursue a post-residency fellowship in such. I attended the University of California Health – Irvine Spine Fellowship Program, an Orthopedic and Neurosurgery integrated one. During my fellowship training, I was exposed to and participated in the clinical and surgical care of patients with a variety of spinal pathologies – degenerative, traumatic, infectious, and oncologic.

I performed surgeries utilizing multiple techniques and surgical tools to my disposal, ranging from cervical, thoracic and lumbar traditional open surgery with fluoroscopy and navigation to minimally invasive surgery with navigation and robotics. I was also able to train with one of the most renowned surgeons in Endoscopic Spine Surgery – a technique used for cervical and lumbar decompressions and microdiscectomies, as well as lumbar interbody fusions.

My clinical interests include both non-operative and operative treatments for the wide spectrum of spinal ailments. I believe in optimizing and exhausting all non-operative treatments such as multimodal pain medication regimen, physical therapy and cervical and lumbar injections. When surgery does become necessary, I believe, first and foremost, in placing patient care and safety first, as well as honest and transparent patient-physician communication. Surgery can vary from cervical, thoracic and lumbar open, minimally invasive and endoscopy posterior decompressions with or without posterolateral fusion, anterior, lateral, prone-lateral or prone interbody fusion with percutaneous instrumentation with the use of x-ray, navigation, robotics or endoscope; cervical disc arthroplasty to complex cervico-thoraco-lumbar deformity correction. Following surgery, I believe in a multidisciplinary approach to optimize patient post-operative care and recovery. My goal is providing you and our great community with excellent patient care while upholding the highest of medical standards. 

On a personal note, I am fluent in both English and Spanish. In my spare time, I enjoy spending it with family and friends. I also enjoy weightlifting and exercising, as well as playing recreational sports, though mostly golf now. I greatly enjoy spending time outdoors but am not opposed to staying in and watching some football.