Spine by Villamil, MD

Spine Surgery Expertise at Spine by Villamil, MD

Man in navy blue scrubs with arms crossed, smiling confidently.

Fernando Villamil, MD

Dr. Villamil is a board certified spine surgeon specializing in minimally-invasive spine surgery. He completed his spine surgery fellowship at Harvard University Medical School in Boston, MA, where he specialized in orthopedic spine surgery. He currently practices in Tulsa and Bartlesville, Oklahoma, and continues to provide his expertise in his native Puerto Rico. Additionally, he is skilled in robotic spine surgery, enhancing surgical precision and patient safety. He is also the author of the Neurovascular Classification For The Lumbar Spine, a vital resource now utilized by surgeons around the globe to make spine surgery safer for patients. His passion for patient education is evident in his interactions with his patients.

In his free time, Dr. Villamil has partnered with

Seattle Science Foundation to provide more education on spine surgery. He also enjoys running, and co-hosts "Latin Doctors" on Telemundo with the intention of informing and educating the public about health topics, disease prevention, and the latest developments.

Areas of Specialty

Orthopedic Spine Surgery

At Spine by Villamil, MD, we redefine what’s possible in modern orthopedic spine surgery. Dr. Villamil employs the minimally invasive XLIF (eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion) technique, which distinguishes itself from traditional fusion approaches by accessing the spine through a small incision on the side of the body instead of from the front or back. This lateral corridor allows for gentle dilation of the soft tissues and psoas muscle rather than cutting, while real-time nerve monitoring ensures the surgeon navigates safely past critical nerves. This innovative approach also enables the placement of a large-footprint interbody implant that effectively restores disc height, provides strong stability, and achieves indirect nerve decompression. Compared to conventional open fusions, XLIF typically results in less blood loss, shorter operative times, reduced hospital stays, and a faster return to normal activities. As a result, our advanced techniques align with the highest standards in robotic spine surgery and set the stage for thriving spine surgery fellowship programs.

Spine Surgery Expertise at Spine by Villamil, MD

Fernando Villamil, MD

Areas of Specialty

Orthopedic Spine Surgery

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