Andrew L. Clavenna, M.D.
About Dr. Clavenna
Dr. Andrew L. Clavenna joined the Carrell Clinic in 2006 as a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in spine surgery. In addition to traditional spine procedures, Dr. Clavenna’s expertise includes the latest in spinal surgery techniques including minimally invasive spine surgery, artificial disc replacement (disc arthroplasty), and spinal navigation. Dr. Clavenna exhausts conservative therapies, such as rehabilitation and injections, prior to surgical intervention. Currently, Dr. Clavenna is a spine consultant for the Dallas Cowboys and Southern Methodist University Athletics.
Raised in Houston and Baton Rouge, Dr. Clavenna graduated from Trinity University in San Antonio with a B.S. in biochemistry. During his time at Trinity, Dr. Clavenna played linebacker for the Tigers and was nationally recognized as a scholar-athlete. He received his MD from Louisiana State University Medical School in Shreveport where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. Dr. Clavenna completed his internship in general surgery and his residency in orthopaedic surgery at Parkland Memorial Hospital.
Following his residency, Dr. Clavenna completed a fellowship in spine surgery with Dr. Robert Watkins and Dr. Lytton Williams at the Los Angeles Spine Surgery Institute in California. During this one-year fellowship, Dr. Clavenna focused on sports-spine injuries, degenerative spine disorders, and deformity management involving the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine. While in Los Angeles, Dr. Clavenna participated in spinal navigation research. This advancement in spine surgery allows for safer and more accurate placement of spinal hardware. Dr. Clavenna continues to participate in research advancing spine surgery techniques.
In his spare time, Dr. Clavenna enjoys playing golf, fishing, boating, biking, and being outdoors with his wife and two daughters.
Endoscopic Spine Procedures With Dr. Clavenna
Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon and fellowship-trained spine expert Dr. Clavenna offers endoscopic techniques for his patients. Utilizing advanced procedures, he delivers care to help his patients overcome spinal injuries and conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or nerve compressions.
Dr. Clavenna Specializes In:
Spine surgery is usually recommended when pain is unrelenting, affects your quality of life and conservative treatments do not seem to work. You may have surgery to relieve pain due to nerve compression by removing bone or a damaged spinal disc. There are many techniques performed to treat your back, following which you need to take a few precautions to improve outcomes and safely get you back to function.
Athletes are prone to spine injuries as a result of trauma or repetitive movements and stress. Improper technique, fatigue and poor muscle tone and flexibility can also lead to spine injuries. High-risk sports include football, wrestling, weight lifting, ice hockey, skiing, diving and cheerleading. Injuries may cause fracture or slipping of vertebrae, bulging or rupture of intervertebral discs and damage to the spinal cord. This can lead to significant pain and disability.
In the News
Physician Coordinators
Lupe Couch
Phone: (214) 220-2468, Ext. 1466
Physician Assistants
Education and Training
Medical Degree
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA
General Surgery Internship
Parkland Memorial Hospital, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Orthopaedic Surgery Residency
Parkland Memorial Hospital, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Spine Surgery Fellowship
Los Angeles Spine Surgery Institute, Los Angeles, CA
Certification and Affiliations
Certification
- Board Certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Professional Affiliations
- Spine Consultant, Dallas Cowboys Football Club (NFL), 2007 – Present
- Spine Consultant, Dallas Stars Hockey (NHL), 2008 – 2012
- Spine Consultant, Southern Methodist University Athletics, 2007 – Present
- Spine Consultant, Cotton Bowl, 2009
- Spine Consultant, NFL Combine, 2007 – Present
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Active Member
- American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons
- American Medical Association, Past Member
- Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, 2011 – Present
- Texas Medical Association, Member
- Texas Orthopaedic Association, Member
- Texas Society of Sports Medicine, Member, 2008 – Present
- North Central Surgery Center – Orthopedic Chief of Service, 2008 – 2011
- Texas Health Resources IRB Member, 2008 – 2010
- Ben Hogan Sport Medicine Physician Panel, 2012 – Current
- American Registry – Patient Choice Award, 2012
- USA Today’s “Most Influential Doctors” List, 2010
- International Association of Orthopedic Surgeons – “Top Doctor in Dallas, TX,” 2013 – 2015
- Super Doctors “Texas Rising Stars,” 2013, 2014, 2015
- D Magazine “Best Doctors in Dallas,” 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
- National Football League Physicians Society, 2012 – Current
Hospital Affiliations
- North Central Surgical Center
- Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas
- Baylor University Medical Center
- Baylor Scott & White Sports Surgery Center at the Star