In this episode of The Spine Pod, hosts Courtney Schutze and Brady Riesgraf sit down with Dr. Christopher Yeung, the current President at the Desert Institute for Spine Care (DISC) in Phoenix, Arizona, a nationally recognized leader in endoscopic spine surgery and a driving force behind the shift toward outpatient, function-preserving procedures.
Dr. Yeung’s approach to spine care blends innovation, mentorship, and generational legacy. As the son of Dr. Anthony Yeung, one of the earliest pioneers of endoscopic techniques in the U.S., Dr. Yeung was immersed in the world of minimally invasive spine surgery from an early age. His training under Dr. Robert Watkins IV, renowned for treating elite professional athletes, further shaped his philosophy of preserving function, reducing recovery time, and getting patients back to the activities they love.
Today, Dr. Yeung carries that mission forward as the spine surgeon for Arizona State University, the Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, and a host of additional professional sports teams. His work with high-performing athletes continues to influence his broader practice, reinforcing the value of outpatient surgical care, early mobility, and long-term performance.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Yeung shares how combining endoscopic tools with a spine-focused ASC model is transforming both outcomes and the patient experience. He discusses the evolving expectations of active patients, the accelerating shift towards outcome-driven decisions, and why outpatient spine care is no longer just for athletes, it’s for anyone who values function, mobility, and a faster recovery.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why outpatient spine surgery is gaining traction across patient populations and what it takes to do it safely
• How Dr. Yeung’s work with professional athletes shaped his thinking on recovery, function, and surgical decision-making
• How Dr. Yeung’s father, Anthony Yeung, MD, pioneered endoscopic spine surgery in the U.S. and how Dr. Yeung has built upon that foundation over the past 20+ years
• The importance of motion preservation, function, and expectation-setting when preparing for spine surgery
• The variety of modern treatment options for patients struggling with chronic neck, leg and/or back pain
This conversation captures the mindset and momentum of one of the field’s most forward-thinking MIS and endoscopic spine surgeons and offers a glimpse into the future of spine care.
Learn more about Dr. Yeung:
• DISC: https://www.sciatica.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-yeung-01a10347/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yeungspine?igsh=OWVtM2xwMGhuZHVk
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DesertInstituteforSpineCare
You can find The Spine Pod on all Podcast Streaming Platforms, including:
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpinePod
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0DBzWfVt1ExQE0qTjhOERa?si=EEBPwQgRQSujyZsaXnJagA
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spine-pod/id1745442311
• Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/98fd41ad-75ee-4371-bb70-c5b274324a47/the-spine-pod?ref=dm_sh_kmfvSHB5iY109GDslhiJul22E
• iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-the-spine-pod-174320414?cmp=ios_share&sc=ios_social_share&pr=false&autoplay=true<
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