Out-of-state? Free MRI review4.9 ★ · 619 Google reviewsBoard-certified spine surgeonSame-day spine surgeryCall (424) 217-7463
Out-of-state? Free MRI review + telehealth consult before you travel 4.9 ★ · 619 Google reviews Board-certified — American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery Minimally invasive, same-day spine surgery in Beverly Hills Call (424) 217-7463
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Meet Dr. Melamed

Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD

Board-Certified Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (2007)

A Beverly Hills orthopedic spine surgeon focused on ultra-minimally-invasive, muscle-sparing endoscopic surgery — smaller procedures, faster recovery, and far less reliance on narcotics.

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Background

Trained where the hardest cases go

Dr. Hooman Melamed brings a rare combination of advanced surgical skill, leading-edge innovation, and genuine compassion to every patient he treats. He graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a degree in neuroscience, earned his medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, completed his orthopedic surgical residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and pursued a spinal-surgery fellowship at the Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders.

Since founding his private practice in 2005, Dr. Melamed has pushed the boundaries of spinal care — developing approaches that minimize narcotics, favor outpatient procedures, and focus on full-body healing. He treats the whole person, not just the symptoms.

Training & affiliations

Education & credentials

A path built around the hardest spinal cases — deformity, revision, and complex minimally invasive reconstruction.

Education & training

  1. Undergraduate

    Summa cum laude, UCLA (Neuroscience)

    Neuroscience
  2. Medical school

    MD — University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

    Doctor of Medicine
  3. Residency

    Orthopedic Residency — University of Illinois at Chicago

    Orthopedic surgery
  4. Fellowship

    Spinal Fellowship — Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders

    Spinal surgery
  5. Leadership

    Former Director of Scoliosis — Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital

    2013–2021 · incl. complex adult deformity
Board certification

American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Certified 2007

Professional affiliations

  • FellowAmerican Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
  • MemberScoliosis Research Society
  • Former Director of ScoliosisCedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital · 2013–2021, including complex adult deformity

As featured & recognized

Trusted on national television and by the profession.

The Doctors (national TV)KTLA 5KCAL 9Super Doctors
  • The Doctors (national TV)
  • KTLA 5
  • KCAL 9
  • Super Doctors
  • Board-CertifiedAmerican Board of Orthopaedic Surgery · 2007
  • FAAOSFellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
  • Castle ConnollyTop Doctor
  • Summa cum laudeUCLA
  • Beverly HillsGreater Los Angeles

Authority & leadership

Two decades of leadership in minimally invasive spine care

Two decades spent pushing spine surgery toward smaller incisions, fewer fusions, and less reliance on narcotics — with the procedures, research, and recognition to back it.

Signature · pioneering procedure

Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Performing ultra-minimally-invasive biportal endoscopic spine surgery since 2019 — two sub-centimeter incisions, muscle spared rather than cut, and same-day discharge for most patients. It’s the technique the entire practice is built around.

  • < 1 cmtwo working portals
  • Same-dayoutpatient for most
  • Muscle-sparingnothing cut through
How BESS works →
Developed

Narcotic-sparing recovery protocol

A recovery protocol built around whole-body healing and opioid-free recovery — designed to minimize, and often eliminate, narcotics after spine surgery.
Champions

Motion-preserving alternatives to fusion

Favors procedures that keep the spine moving, led by artificial disc replacement and supported by regenerative therapies, over one-size-fits-all fusion. Patients told they need a fusion are evaluated for disc replacement first.
Teaches

Research & thought leadership

Lead author on peer-reviewed spine research and a presenter to the North American Spine Society, the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, and the Scoliosis Research Society.
Leadership Former Director of Scoliosis, Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey (2013–2021)
Recognition Repeat Castle Connolly Top Doctor & Super Doctors honoree
Credentials Fellow, AAOS · Member, Scoliosis Research Society · Board-certified, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (2007)
National media The Doctors · KTLA 5 · KCAL 9

On YouTube

Spine surgery, explained on camera

Dr. Melamed has built one of the most in-depth spine-education libraries on YouTube — 200-plus tutorials, explainers, and real patient stories, in plain language.

@TheSpinePro 200+ videos · Subscribe
BESS explainer

Endoscopic surgery vs. traditional fusion

Dr. Melamed breaks down how the muscle-sparing biportal approach compares to a traditional fusion — the incisions, the recovery, and who each option is actually right for.

  • Educational
  • BESS
  • Recovery
More in the Video Hub →

How to avoid spinal fusions with BESS

3 myths about endoscopic surgery, debunked

A life-changing scoliosis correction

The patient saved from potential paralysis

  • 200+videos on YouTube
  • Tutorialsexplainers & how-it-works
  • Real patientsstories & Q&A
Explore the full Video Hub →

Patients, in their words

What patients say on Google

A selection of recent five-star reviews, quoted as posted. The row scrolls on its own. To stop it, use the Pause scrolling button under it, hover over it, tap a review or tab into it.

  • Rated 5 out of 5. Google review

    “Dr. Melamed is so genuinely kind and concerned for our care. He's never rushed and explains everything in layman terms. He his resume is phenomenal and so are his diagnosis, treatments and surgeries that have led me to full recovery.”

    Linda L.
  • Rated 5 out of 5. Google review

    “… During my initial consultation, he nailed the source of my pain before I could even tell him. His confidence, manner, and his staff made the decision for me. … He is a surgeon who knows his craft. …”

    Mark M. · Lumbar surgery
  • Rated 5 out of 5. Google review

    “What a refreshing experience! It has been a long time since I felt like a doctor had the time and interest in my care. Thank you Dr. Melamed to you and your staff. The 115 mile drive was worth the visit.”

    Simone B.
  • Rated 5 out of 5. Google review

    “I have the most respect for Dr, Melamed, he is by far the utmost professional, ,caring , knowledgeable and honest dr, I have ever known. He doesn’t rush to get out of the examining room. …”

    Anita E.
  • Rated 5 out of 5. Google review

    “… He has always started with conservative approaches, striving to avoid surgery yet when surgery was clearly required, he performed very skilled, compassionate surgeries on my cervical, cervical fusion and lumbar which allowed me to continue a highly active, unimpacted quality of life. …”

    Jim S. · Cervical & lumbar surgery
  • Rated 5 out of 5. Google review

    “Staff was absolutely caring and beyond helpful. Dr Melamed is a true patient advocate! … He is amazing at what he does and has a genuine compassion for his patients! He has a heart of gold! I would highly recommend this office.”

    Jennifer A.
  • Rated 5 out of 5. Google review

    “… Dr. Melamed is an outstanding orthopedic surgeon, but what truly sets him apart is the way he advocates for his patients. … Dr. Melamed went above and beyond to make sure I received the care I needed. …”

    Ken W. · Cervical disc replacement
  • Rated 5 out of 5. Google review

    “Very interested in where you pain emanates from and just not one to jump in to do surgery”

    Dan Z.
  • Rated 5 out of 5. Google review

    “Very attentive staff and professional response time. Quick access to initial appointment and accurate, timely process from assessment to surgery. … Would highly recommend Dr Melamed and his office.”

    Holly G.
  • Rated 5 out of 5. Google review

    “I had a great experience at The Spine Pro with Dr. Hooman Melamed. … Dr. Melamed was knowledgeable, compassionate, and explained everything regarding the surgery clearly, which gave me confidence and peace of mind. …”

    Edmundo T.

Individual results vary.

4.9 · 619 Google reviews
More patient reviews → See our Google Reviews
  • 20+ Years in practice Private practice since 2005
  • Board-Certified Orthopedic spine surgeon Am. Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Outpatient Same-day procedures Minimally invasive, narcotic-sparing

As seen on national television

TV Appearances

Dr. Melamed has appeared on national and Los Angeles broadcast television dozens of times — explaining spine surgery, real patient outcomes, and his opioid-sparing approach.

Corrects a Patient's Flatback Pain

Do Medical Devices Need More Regulation?

Example of Microscopic Spine Surgery

Donates to Project Alive

Project Angel Food

How to Get in Shape Without Hurting Yourself

How Healthcare Is Denied & Delayed in California

Philosophy

"The best operation is the smallest one that solves the problem — and sometimes the best operation is none at all. My job is to find that line for each patient, honestly."

— Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD

Schedule your consultation Request a second opinion →

Second opinions welcome

Not sure if surgery is the answer? Neither are we — until we've seen your MRI.

Send your imaging for a personal review with Dr. Melamed. Many patients learn a smaller, muscle-sparing option is on the table.

Book a ConsultationFree MRI Review