Dr. Raul J. Cardenas is an accomplished neurosurgeon specializing in minimally-invasive techniques for complex spine issues, having spent much of his career in Memphis, TN. In addition to his position at OrthoSouth, he also currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. His academic career includes positions as a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston and a Gratis Assistant Professor at the Louisiana State University Health Science Center.

Dr. Cardenas’ areas of expertise:

• Minimally-invasive spine surgery
• Complex spinal disorders
• Motion preservation spine surgery

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.

FELLOWSHIP

Minimally-Invasive / Complex Spine, University of Tennessee / Semmes-Murphey Clinic, Memphis, TN

EDUCATION

Neurosurgery Residency, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, Shreveport, LA

Surgical Internship,  Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

Medical School, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 

B.S. Biological Sciences, Christian Brothers University, Memphis, TN

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

AANS

CNS

NASS