Best Back Surgeons in Pittsburgh, PA
Looking for back Surgeons in Pittsburgh? Below you'll find 10 local options with their address, phone number, website and opening hours, plus practical advice on choosing the right one.
What they do: Orthopedic and neurosurgical specialists who treat herniated discs, stenosis, fractures and chronic back pain. Most start with imaging and conservative care, and only recommend surgery when therapy and injections have not worked.
This guide lists 10 back Surgeons in and around Pittsburgh, spread across 7 ZIP codes. 10 have a phone number you can call directly from this page, 10 link to their own website. Listings are organized so you can compare them at a glance and contact them directly.
Top 10 Back Surgeons in Pittsburgh
Listings are shown in no paid order: no business can pay to appear or to rank higher on this page.
1 Joon Yung Lee, MD
- Address 3471 Fifth Ave Suite 1010, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
- Phone (412) 687-3900
- Website providers.upmc.com
2 David O. Okonkwo, MD, PhD
- Address UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop St a402, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
- Phone (412) 647-3685
- Website providers.upmc.com
3 Derek “Duke” Thomas, MD
- Address 5820 Centre Ave Ste 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
- Phone (412) 661-5500
- Website gpoa.com
4 Steel City Spine and Orthopedic Center: Jocelyn Idema, DO
- Address 1145 Bower Hill Rd #305, Pittsburgh, PA 15243
- Phone (412) 850-2206
- Website steelcityspine.com
Opening hours
| Mon | 8 AM-6 PM |
|---|---|
| Tue | 8 AM-6 PM |
| Wed | 8 AM-6 PM |
| Thu | 8 AM-6 PM |
| Fri | 8 AM-4 PM |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
5 Three Rivers Orthopedic Associates
- Address 200 Delafield Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15215
- Phone (412) 782-3990
- Website upmc.com
Opening hours
| Mon | 8 AM-6 PM |
|---|---|
| Tue | 8 AM-6 PM |
| Wed | 8 AM-6 PM |
| Thu | 8 AM-6 PM |
| Fri | 8 AM-4 PM |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
6 Daniel T Altman, MD
- Address 1307 Federal St, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
- Phone (877) 660-6777
- Website findcare.ahn.org
Opening hours
| Mon | 8 AM-4:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tue | 8 AM-4:30 PM |
| Wed | 8 AM-4:30 PM |
| Thu | 8 AM-4:30 PM |
| Fri | 8 AM-4:30 PM |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
7 Steel City Spine and Orthopedic Center: Jocelyn Idema, D.O.
- Address 27 Heckel Rd Suite 203, McKees Rocks, PA 15136
- Phone (412) 754-7538
- Website steelcityspine.com
Opening hours
| Mon | 8 AM-5 PM |
|---|---|
| Tue | 8 AM-5 PM |
| Wed | 8 AM-5 PM |
| Thu | 8 AM-5 PM |
| Fri | 8 AM-5 PM |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
8 Joseph C. Maroon, MD
- Address 200 Lothrop St suite b-400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
- Phone (412) 647-3685
- Website josephmaroon.com
Opening hours
| Mon | 8 AM-4 PM |
|---|---|
| Tue | 8 AM-4 PM |
| Wed | 8 AM-4 PM |
| Thu | 8 AM-4 PM |
| Fri | 8 AM-12 PM |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
9 Eugene A. Bonaroti, MD, FACS
- Address 107 Gamma Dr Ste 110, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
- Phone (412) 275-0227
- Website surgical-spine-associates.com
Opening hours
| Mon | 8 AM-4:30 PM |
|---|---|
| Tue | 8 AM-4:30 PM |
| Wed | 8 AM-4:30 PM |
| Thu | 8 AM-4:30 PM |
| Fri | 8 AM-4:30 PM |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
10 Greater Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Associates (GPOA) - Shadyside
- Address 5820 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
- Phone (412) 661-5500
- Website gpoa.com
Opening hours
| Mon | 8 AM-4 PM |
|---|---|
| Tue | 8 AM-4 PM |
| Wed | 8 AM-4 PM |
| Thu | 8 AM-4 PM |
| Fri | 8 AM-4 PM |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
How to choose back Surgeons in Pittsburgh
- Check that the provider is licensed. You can look up any Pennsylvania medical license on the Department of State's PALS website.
- Confirm that they accept your insurance plan and whether you need a referral from your primary care doctor.
- Look at hospital affiliations. Many Pittsburgh practices belong to a larger health system, which makes referrals and records easier.
- Ask about wait times for new patients, telehealth visits and after-hours coverage.
- Read recent patient reviews, but focus on patterns (communication, billing, wait times) rather than one-off complaints.
Local tips for Pittsburgh
Allegheny County's Health Department licenses plumbers throughout the county and inspects restaurants, and the City of Pittsburgh's Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections handles building permits and contractor licensing inside city limits.
Because of the rivers and hills, a business that looks close on a map can be a long drive away. Check which side of the river it's on and whether a bridge or tunnel stands in the way, especially at rush hour.
Pittsburgh is in Allegheny County, and local phone numbers use the 412 and 878 area codes. Popular areas include Downtown, Strip District, Lawrenceville, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, Oakland, South Side, North Shore.
Frequently asked questions
Which areas of Pittsburgh do these back Surgeons cover?
The back Surgeons on this list are located in ZIP codes 15136, 15206, 15212, 15213, 15215, 15238, 15243. Many businesses also serve nearby neighborhoods and suburbs, so ask when you call.
How do I know if a doctor is board certified?
You can check board certification for free on the American Board of Medical Specialties site (CertificationMatters.org), and verify a Pennsylvania license on the state's PALS lookup.
Do I need a referral to see back Surgeons in Pittsburgh?
It depends on your insurance. HMO plans usually require a referral from your primary care physician, while PPO plans usually don't. Call your insurer or check your plan documents before booking.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring a photo ID, your insurance card, a list of current medications and doses, any recent test results and a short list of questions you want to ask.
More health guides in Pittsburgh
- Audiologists
- Bariatric Surgeons
- Black Doctors
- Botox
- Breast Cancer Doctors
- Cardiologists
- Colorectal Surgeons
- Dentists
- Dermatologists
- Doctors for Scoliosis
- Endocrinologists
- Eye Doctors
- Hospitals
- Pediatricians
- Pharmacies
- STD Clinics
- Spine Surgeons
- Therapists
- Urgent Care Centers
- Urologists
- Walk-In Clinics
- Weight Loss Doctors
Information is collected from public sources and may change. Please confirm hours, prices and availability directly with each business. Business owner? Ask us to update your listing.