Dr Laurence McEntee

Overview

Assistant Professor Laurence P McEntee

Orthopaedic Surgeon (Spine)

BHB, MBChB, FRACS, CIME

Everyone knows that spine surgery requires a lot of technical expertise, but there are many other traits required to be a Spine Surgeon. I take great care in communicating with my patients, because the reality is that often their spinal condition affects them in many different ways and this seriously impacts their enjoyment of life. By combining expert advice and a true understanding of a patient’s condition, I am able to make a real difference at what can be one of the most stressful and difficult periods for them. I am entirely focused on working to give people their life back.

I believe every patient deserves an honest, expert opinion regarding the treatment options available to them. I work closely with patients and their families to make a shared decision about the best course of treatment. In the majority of patients, surgery is not even necessary! But, when the right person is treated with the right operation, spine surgery can be life-changing.

I understand that trust is absolutely essential when undergoing these kinds of treatments. If you’re putting that trust in my hands, I want you to understand my experience and background and how it’s led me to where I am today. I was awarded dux of my high school in 1996 and I then pursued a career in medicine. I graduated from The University of Auckland in 1999, with a Bachelor of Human Biology, and again in 2002, with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery.

After completing my orthopaedic training, I become a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2011. Having developed a special interest in spine surgery, in 2012 I relocated to the Gold Coast with my family and completed the Allamanda Private Hospital Spinal Fellowship, under the supervision of Associate Professor Matthew Scott-Young. This is an Australian Orthopaedic Association accredited fellowship in spine surgery. On completion of the fellowship, I joined Gold Coast Spine, before starting my own practice in 2020.

These days, I am an Assistant Professor with Bond University’s faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine. I am actively involved in ongoing research aimed at improving the outcomes of spine surgery. I am also a member of the Spine Society of Australia, the North American Spine Society, and the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery. Finally, it’s worth noting that I am a Certified Independent Medical Examiner.

I see patients in my rooms at Pacific Private Clinic in Southport and operate at both Pindara Private Hospital and Gold Coast Private Hospital. I specialise in the comprehensive assessment and treatment of low back pain and sciatica, neck pain and associated radiculopathy, and the surgical management of lumbar and cervical degenerative disease (including total disc replacement and minimally invasive surgery). I also specialise in the operative management of adult scoliosis and spinal deformity.

I welcome privately insured, DVA (Veterans Affairs), and WorkCover patients.

Now that my credentials are out of the way, let’s talk about how I can help you.