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Kevin M. Neal, MD

Orthopedics

Primary Office

¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Children's Health, Jacksonville ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Children's Health, Jacksonville 807 Children's Way Jacksonville, FL 32207 Appointment: (904) 697-3600

Other Offices

Get to Know Me

In addition to my work as an orthopedic surgeon, I help educate our next generation of physicians. I train orthopedic surgery residents during their pediatric rotations, and I am the fellowship director at ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ·, where orthopedic surgeons do extra training to learn the art and science of pediatric orthopedics. I have academic appointments at The University of Florida and The Mayo Clinic, present original research at national meetings, give lectures as an invited speaker to various medical groups, and serve on committees for multiple national orthopedic organizations. Some of the highlights of this work have been producing educational content for patients and their families that can be found on the websites of the Scoliosis Research Society, the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, and ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ·â€™ own KidsHealth.

Why I Treat Children

It’s such an incredible privilege for parents to allow me to treat their children. I learned early in my orthopedic training just how amazing children are, even in the face of serious illness. Their toughness, resilience and positive attitudes inspire me to be the best doctor I can be to help them and their parents manage their conditions.

What I'm Passionate About

I’m passionate about making a difference in children’s lives, and I’m so proud to work for ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ·. ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· and I share mission-driven values, making sure that all children who need care have access to our services, and treating all children equally. I want to make sure all my patients receive individualized care, tailored to their specific needs. I’m passionate about learning new things, teaching others and helping all my patients, colleagues, students, assistants and friends accomplish their goals.

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My medical interests and expertise includes:

  • Scoliosis
  • Spinal Deformity
  • Idiopathic Scoliosis
  • Neuromuscular Scoliosis
  • Congenital Scoliosis
  • Syndromic Scoliosis
  • Early Onset Scoliosis
  • Kyphosis
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Leg Length Discrepancy
  • Infant Hip Dysplasia
  • Fractures

Education & Training

Fellowship

  • Pediatric Orthopaedics - ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Childrens Clinic - Jacksonville, 2004

Internship

  • General Surgery - University of Oklahoma, 1999

Residency

  • Orthopedic Surgery - University of Oklahoma Medical Center, 2003

Medical/Dental School

  • M.D. - University of Oklahoma, 1998

Board Certifications

  • American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Awards & Recognition

  • 2014 Best Doctors in America
  • 2013 Best Doctors in America
  • 2011 Best Doctors in America
  • 2009 Healthcare Hero Award, Jacksonville Business Magazine
  • 2012 Excellence in Teaching – Associate Faculty Teaching Award – University of Florida – Jacksonville Orthopedic Residency Training Program
  • 2017 ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Leadership Development Program
  • 2018 ¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾Ã¾«Æ· Leadership Development Program
  • 2018 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Achievement Award

  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Clubfoot
  • Foot and Ankle Conditions
  • Fracture Management
  • Hand and Upper Extremities
  • Hip Conditions
  • Knee Conditions
  • Limb Length Discrepancy
  • Osteogenesis Imperfecta
  • Scoliosis
  • Spinal Deformities

Research Activities

We wish we already knew all the answers for orthopedic problems in children, but we’re still working to understand many conditions and treatments. That’s why I regularly spend time doing research. As of 2019, I have published 11 papers in peer-reviewed journals, written 8 book chapters, and served as the Spine Trauma Section Editor of The Pediatric Trauma Case Atlas, which is published by Springer. I manage multiple ongoing research projects, mostly focusing on the natural history and the outcomes of various treatments for scoliosis. I also review content for the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, and evaluate abstracts for potential inclusion at national scientific meetings.

  • Incidence of Tether Breakage in Anterior Vertebral Body Tethering.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2024).

  • Risk Factors for Stiffness After Surgical Treatment of Pediatric Humeral Lateral Condyle Fractures: Results of a Multicenter Study.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2024).

  • Scoliosis Development in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: The Influences of Genetic Severity, Functional Level, and Disease-Modifying Treatments.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2024).

  • Closed Reduction Techniques Are Associated With Fewer Complications Than Open Reductions in Treating Moderately Displaced Pediatric Lateral Humeral Condyle Fractures: A Multicenter Study.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2024).

  • Improving prediction of progression of idiopathic scoliosis based on curve size and skeletal maturity.; Spine deformity; (2024).

  • Conservative Management of Transitional Ankle Fractures in Adolescents: A Pilot Study to Determine Whether Type of Immobilization Affects Outcome.; Orthopedics; (2023).

  • Epiphyseal-entry cannulated screws for temporary guided growth of the knees: a retrospective review of 89 cases.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics. Part B; (2023).

  • K-wire Versus Screw Fixation in Displaced Lateral Condyle Fractures of the Humerus in Children: A Multicenter Study of 762 Fractures.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2023).

  • Operative differences for posterior spinal fusion after vertebral body tethering: Are we fusing more levels in the end?; European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society; (2022).

  • When successful, anterior vertebral body tethering (VBT) induces differential segmental growth of vertebrae: an in vivo study of 51 patients and 764 vertebrae.; Spine deformity; (2022).

  • Hidden blood loss in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery.; Orthopaedics & traumatology, surgery & research : OTSR; (2022).

  • Anterior Vertebral Body Tethering Compared with Posterior Spinal Fusion for Major Thoracic Curves: A Retrospective Comparison by the Harms Study Group.; The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume; (2022).

  • Spontaneous Lumbar Curve Correction Following Vertebral Body Tethering of Main Thoracic Curves.; The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume; (2022).

  • Can a Checklist Improve the Informed Consent Process?; Cureus; (2021).

  • Orthopaedic Manifestations of Transverse Myelitis in Children. ; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2021).

  • Inter- and intra-rater reliability and accuracy of Sanders Skeletal Maturity Staging System when used by surgeons performing vertebral body tethering.; Spine deformity; (2021).

  • Anterior vertebral body tethering shows mixed results at 2-year follow-up.; Spine deformity; (2020).

  • Improving Quality in the Treatment of Pediatric Forearm Fractures: Minimizing the Need for Repeat Intervention With Long-arm Extension Casting.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2020).

  • Impact of Race Subgroups on the Assessment of Vitamin D Status in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.; Orthopedics; (2019).

  • Pitfalls with Vitamin D Research in Musculoskeletal Disorders and Recommendations on How to Avoid Them; Journal of clinical research in pediatric endocrinology; (2019).

  • Wound closure expectations after fasciotomy for paediatric compartment syndrome.; Journal of children's orthopaedics; (2018).

  • Maturity Indicators and Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: Evaluation of the Sanders Maturity Scale.; Spine; (2018).

  • Results of Nonoperative Treatment for Symptomatic Tarsal Coalitions.; Cureus; (2018).

  • The Educational Opportunities Provided by a Pediatric Orthopedic Urgent Case Review Conference: Keep Score to Provide a Better Experience.; Journal of surgical education; (2017).

  • Strategies for Surgical Management of Large, Stiff Spinal Deformities in Children.; The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; (2017).

  • Cuboid-navicular coalition in pediatrics a systematic review and report; Current Orthopedic Practice; (2016).

  • Influence of Back Pain on Patient Satisfaction Scores.; Southern medical journal; (2015).

  • Atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in children.; The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; (2015).

  • Screw Fixation of Lateral Condyle Fractures: Results of Treatment.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2015).

  • The location of medial patellofemoral ligament injury in adolescents and children.; Journal of pediatric orthopedics; (2012).

  • Healthy children with frequent fractures: how much evaluation is needed?; Pediatrics; (2008).

  • Subtrochanteric femur fracture through osteotomy site 12 years after varus derotational osteotomy.; Orthopedics; (2004).

  • Anterior interosseous nerve syndrome: a case report.; The Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association; (2002).

  • English