Kevin Kwan, MD, FAANS, FACS

01 · Overview

Precision, judgment, and personalized care

Kevin Kwan, MD, FAANS, FACS, is a board-certified neurosurgeon with advanced fellowship training in complex spine and spinal deformity surgery.

He specializes in the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders, ranging from common causes of neck and back pain to complex deformity, spinal instability, and revision surgery.

As the founder of KwanSpine, Dr. Kwan has developed a practice centered on clinical rigor, thoughtful decision-making, and highly personalized care. He believes that the most important responsibility of a spine surgeon is not simply knowing how to perform an operation, but knowing when surgery is—and is not—the right treatment.

Every recommendation begins with a careful review of the patient’s symptoms, neurological examination, imaging, prior treatment, overall health, and personal goals. Whenever possible, Dr. Kwan favors appropriate nonsurgical care. When an operation is necessary, he works closely with each patient to select the safest and most effective approach while preserving normal anatomy, motion, and function whenever feasible.

02 · Education & Training

Education and advanced surgical training

Dr. Kwan earned his medical degree from Stony Brook University School of Medicine and completed his residency in neurological surgery at the Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He then pursued advanced fellowship training in complex spine and spinal deformity surgery through the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Columbia University.

His training across both neurological and orthopedic spine surgery provides a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the spinal cord and nerves, the structural anatomy of the spine, and the biomechanics of spinal alignment. This multidisciplinary foundation is particularly valuable when treating conditions in which neural compression, instability, deformity, and pain must be considered together.

Dr. Kwan is certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons—professional distinctions reflecting his commitment to the highest standards of surgical practice, ethics, and continuing education.

03 · Clinical Expertise

Conditions treated and surgical expertise

Dr. Kwan treats a broad range of spinal conditions, including:

• Cervical and lumbar disc herniation
• Spinal stenosis
• Sciatica and nerve-root compression
• Cervical myelopathy and spinal cord compression
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spondylolisthesis and spinal instability
• Scoliosis and adult spinal deformity
• Sagittal imbalance
• Failed prior surgery and complex revision conditions

Surgical expertise

• Minimally invasive decompression and fusion
• Microdiscectomy
• Cervical artificial disc replacement
• Anterior and posterior cervical surgery
• Lumbar interbody fusion
• Complex reconstruction
• Revision spine surgery

Technology, used with purpose

Dr. Kwan incorporates contemporary surgical technologies when they meaningfully improve the safety or precision of a procedure. These include image-guided navigation, robotic assistance, tubular retractor systems, the operating microscope, and exoscopic visualization. Technology, however, does not determine the treatment plan. It supports a plan founded on sound clinical judgment, meticulous technique, and the individual patient’s anatomy.

04 · Research & Scholarship

Research, scholarship, and innovation

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Kwan has contributed to more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, scientific abstracts, and book chapters. His work has been presented at national and international meetings and reflects a sustained interest in surgical technique, technology, patient safety, and clinical outcomes.

His academic background informs a disciplined, evidence-based approach to patient care. New techniques and technologies are evaluated critically and incorporated only when they offer a meaningful benefit to the patient.

05 · Philosophy

A patient-centered philosophy

For many patients, deciding whether to undergo spine surgery can be overwhelming. Dr. Kwan places particular importance on making the diagnosis and treatment options understandable. He personally reviews the imaging, explains how the findings relate to the patient’s symptoms, and discusses the anticipated benefits, limitations, risks, and alternatives of each reasonable treatment option.

Patients are encouraged to ask questions and participate actively in the decision-making process. The objective is not merely to perform a technically successful operation, but to help each patient make a well-informed decision and pursue the treatment most likely to restore function, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life.

Independent second opinions

Dr. Kwan also provides independent second opinions for patients considering spine surgery, facing a complex diagnosis, or seeking clarity after a prior procedure.

06 · Comprehensive Care

Comprehensive spine care

Through active affiliations with leading New Jersey health systems and close collaboration with specialists across the region, Dr. Kwan provides access to comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. When a patient’s condition would benefit from additional expertise, he coordinates with pain-management physicians, neurologists, physical therapists, rehabilitation specialists, orthopedic surgeons, and other medical professionals.

Whether a patient needs reassurance, nonsurgical treatment, a second opinion, or a complex operation, Dr. Kwan’s approach remains the same:

Listen carefully, identify the true source of the problem, explain the options clearly, and recommend the treatment he believes is most appropriate for that individual patient.