Dennis Crandall, MD

Dennis Crandall, MD, offers office consultation and surgery for all spinal conditions and disorders. He offers specialized treatment of spine injuries in workers and athletes, as well as spinal deformities. He also offers second opinions and participates in research studies to further advance spine care.

Dr. Crandall bases treatment on individual patient needs and research-proven treatment pathways. Once he understands the precise source of pain or dysfunction, he can effectively direct treatment. In most cases, patients have at least a few conservative treatment options. When surgery is needed, which isn’t the case for most spinal conditions, there are usually a few different options to consider as well. Dr. Crandall presents patients with choices ranging from the least invasive options up to complex surgical procedures, depending on what is needed. He also shares success and complication rates. After surgery, he continues to follow up with his patients long-term.    

Dr. Crandall is a fifth-generation Arizonan. In addition to practicing medicine, he works as a clinical professor in the Valley and a spine consultant for local sports teams. He serves on Boards and also contributes to peer-reviewed spine publications. He is a medical device and technology inventor and industry consultant. He was previously a major in the U.S. Army Medical Corps.

“I recognize that it is common for my patients to travel significant distances, after waiting weeks for an appointment, to see me for a second, third or seventh opinion,” says Dr. Crandall. “As a result, I feel a personal responsibility to arrive at a correct diagnosis and propose data-proven treatment options to improve pain and function. I try hard to answer all of my patients' questions and explain things thoroughly. When surgery is required, my patients know they have a surgeon with 30 years of experience, who has spent an entire career doing research and publishing on how to make surgery better, inventing new surgical devices and techniques, and teaching colleagues how best to perform spine surgery. Taking care of patients is still the best part of my job.”