Raul Cardenas, MD, FAANS, MBA
Fellowship-Trained Neurosurgical Spine Surgeon Serving Memphis, Germantown, Arlington, and Southaven
Dr. Raul J. Cardenas is an accomplished third generation fellowship trained neurosurgical spine surgeon at OrthoSouth who treats low back pain, neck pain, sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and other complex spine conditions. He specializes in minimally-invasive spine surgery, motion preservation techniques, and advanced surgical care for patients who need more than conservative treatment. He sees patients at OrthoSouth in Memphis-Briarcrest, Germantown, Southaven, and Arlington.Dr. Cardenas combines neurosurgical training with a modern spine approach focused on precise diagnosis, thoughtful surgical decision-making, and techniques that can reduce tissue disruption and support recovery when appropriate. He works with patients experiencing persistent back or neck symptoms, nerve compression, spinal instability, and other conditions that may require advanced spine surgery after non-operative care has been considered.
His academic career includes positions as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, a Gratis Assistant Professor at the Louisiana State University Health Science Center and an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.
After graduating from Christian Brothers University in 1997, Dr. Cardenas earned his M.D. at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, followed by a surgical internship at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. He then went on to complete his neurological surgery residency at Louisiana State University Health Science Center (2007), and served as Chief Resident for the Neurological Surgery Service from 2007-2010. He completed his Minimally-Invasive/Complex Spine fellowship with UT / Semmes-Murphey Clinic in 2011.
Born in Memphis, TN and raised in Merida, Yucatan, MX, Dr. Cardenas is fluent in written and spoken Spanish.
EDUCATION
B.S. Biological Sciences, Christian Brothers University - Memphis, TN
Medical School: Meharry Medical College - Nashville, TN
Surgical Internship: Medical University of South Carolina - Charleston, SC
Neurosurgery Residency: Louisiana State University Health Science Center - Shreveport, LA
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)
- Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS)
- North American Spine Society (NASS)
FELLOWSHIP
ACCOLADES
Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2022
CONDITIONS TREATED
Below is a list of conditions Dr. Cardenas frequently sees for:
- Low back pain
- Neck pain
- Sciatica
- Herniated discs
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Lumbar radiculopathy
- Spinal stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spinal instability
- Recurrent disc herniation
- Complex spine conditions
- Motion-limiting cervical and lumbar disorders
Please note, this list is not exhaustive.
TREATMENTS OFFERED
Minimally invasive spine surgery
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Complex spine surgery
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Motion preservation spine surgery
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Surgical evaluation for persistent back and neck pain
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Surgical treatment for nerve compression and spinal instability
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Advanced neurosurgical spine care
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Collaborative care within the OrthoSouth Spine Institute
FAQs ABOUT DR. CARDENAS
What kind of spine surgeon is Dr. Cardenas?
Dr. Cardenas is a fellowship-trained neurosurgical spine surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, complex spine surgery, and motion preservation spine surgery.
Does Dr. Cardenas treat low back pain and neck pain?
Yes. Dr. Cardenas treats a wide range of conditions that cause low back and neck pain.
When should a patient see Dr. Cardenas?
Patients may see Dr. Cardenas when back or neck symptoms persist despite conservative care, when there is concern for nerve compression or spinal instability, or when an advanced surgical opinion is needed.
Patients often see Dr. Cardenas for:
- back or neck pain that is not improving
- sciatica with leg pain, numbness, or weakness
- herniated disc symptoms
- spinal stenosis symptoms
- nerve compression
- need for a second opinion after failed conservative treatment
Where does Dr. Cardenas see patients?
Dr. Cardenas sees patients at Memphis-Briarcrest, Germantown, Southaven, and Arlington.
PATIENT REVIEWS
CERTIFICATIONS
