Andrew M. Cordover, MD, MS is a fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon with nearly three decades of experience treating patients with spine conditions in Birmingham, Alabama.
His practice focuses on the diagnosis and surgical treatment of conditions affecting the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, with particular expertise in complex spine conditions, revision surgery and patients who have undergone previous spine surgery without achieving the desired result.
Experienced Spine Care for Complex Conditions
Dr. Cordover treats a broad range of spinal conditions, including degenerative disorders, sports-related spine injuries, spinal stenosis, disc disorders, spinal deformity, trauma and tumors. He also has extensive experience evaluating and treating complex cases and performing revision procedures when previous spine surgery has failed.
His depth of experience allows him to care for patients across a wide spectrum of spine conditions, from common neck and back problems to challenging cases that may require advanced surgical expertise.
A Patient-Centered Approach to Spine Surgery
Dr. Cordover’s approach begins with understanding the source of each patient’s symptoms and determining the treatment most appropriate for the individual. Surgery is not always the answer.
When surgery is necessary, Dr. Cordover draws on decades of experience to develop a surgical plan based on the patient’s condition, goals and quality of life. His goal is to help patients reduce pain, restore function and return to the activities that matter most to them.
Education & Advanced Spine Surgery Training
Dr. Cordover’s path to spine surgery began at Tulane University in New Orleans, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. He remained at Tulane for medical school and concurrently earned a Master of Science in biomedical engineering.
Following medical school, Dr. Cordover completed his surgical internship and orthopaedic surgery residency in Philadelphia. He then pursued advanced fellowship training in spine surgery at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, where his training included both the orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery departments.
Nearly Three Decades of Spine Care in Birmingham
In 1997, Dr. Cordover moved to Birmingham to begin his career in orthopaedic spine surgery. After 12 years in private practice, he joined Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, where he has continued to care for patients with both routine and highly complex spine conditions.
Over nearly three decades in Birmingham, Dr. Cordover has built his practice around helping patients navigate difficult spine conditions and make informed decisions about their treatment.
Read More About Dr. CordoverMEDICAL TRAINING
Fellowship:
Spine Surgery - Duke University (Durham, NC)
Orthopaedic Surgery Residency:
Orthopedic Surgery - Hahnemann University (Philadelphia, PA)
EDUCATION
Medical Degree:
Tulane University School of Medicine - MD (New Orleans, LA)
Master's Degree:
Tulane University School of Engineering - MS - Biomedical Engineering (New Orleans, LA)
Undergraduate:
Tulane University School of Engineering - BSE Biomedical Engineering (New Orleans, LA)
Faculty/Leadership Positions:
- Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery Department, St. Vincents Hospital, Birmingham
- North American Spine Society. Investment Committee.
- St. Vincent’s/ Ascension Co-management Board Member. Chief of Financial Committee.
- Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center. Investment Committee.
- Ascension Affinity Spine Group Member.
- North American Spine Society. Faculty, Panel Expert and presenter, Sports/Spine Symposium. Spine Across the Sea meeting.
- American Sports Medicine Institute. Clinical Instructor, Fellowship Program.
- American Sports Medicine Institute. Lecturer
- American Sports Medicine Institute, Faculty. Annual meeting. Spondylolisthesis: Current Concepts, Surgical Options.
- Consultant for Minimally Invasive Lumbar Fusion, Stryker Spine.
- Consultant for design, production, and marketing of Lumbar Interbody Spacer device and Surgical Instruments, Osprey Medical.
- Consultant for Dynamic Stabilization.
- AO North America, faculty, Comprehensive Spine Course, Las Vegas, Nevada.
- Medical Executive Committee Member, Trinity Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama
- AO Spine Faculty, AO North America
- Orthopaedic Specialists of Alabama-Executive Committee.
- AO North America, faculty, Principles of Spinal Disorders for Operation Personnel, Destin, Florida.
- Minimal Access Spinal Technologies (MAST), faculty, Medtronic Medical Education Institute, Memphis, Tennessee.
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Bioskills Course faculty, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
- Physicians Leadership Group, Trinity Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama.
- Nursing Leadership Group, Triad Hospital System, Trinity Hospital, Birmingham, Alabama.
- Baptist Health Systems Residency Program, Faculty Instructor
Leadership in Athletics
- Auburn University Athletics, Spine Surgery Consultant.
- Troy University Athletics, Spine Surgery Consultant.
- Jacksonville State University Athletics, Spine Surgery Consultant.
- Samford University Athletics, Spine Surgery Consultant.
- Alpha Eta Mu Beta Engineering Honor Society (1991)
- Le Gary Scholarship (academic scholarship) (1990-1991)
- Woody Scholarship (academic scholarship) (1989-1991)
- Certified Professional Engineer: Part 1 Qualified (1987)
- Elected to Cordis, Miami, Florida, Externship (1984)
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Board Certified
Lumbar Disc Herniation in the Adolescent Athlete.
Cordover A.M., Cordover J.B., Fleisig G.S., Raszewski J.A. (2020)
In: Hsu W., Jenkins T. (eds) Spinal Conditions in the Athlete. Springer, Cham.
Congenital Cervical Anomalies in Athletes.
Pittman J.L., Weng C., Theiss S., Cordover A.M. (2020)
In: Hsu W., Jenkins T. (eds) Spinal Conditions in the Athlete. Springer, Cham.
Trunk axial rotation in baseball pitching and batting.
Fleisig, G. S., Hsu, W. K., Fortenbaugh, D., Cordover, A., Press, J. M. (2013).
Sports Biomechanics, 12(4).
Injuries to Kickers in Collegiate Football. Aune, K., Cordover, J., Andrew M Cordover, A., Horak, L., Fleisig, G. Presented to American Sports Medicine Institute, 2012, Birmingham, Alabama. Presented to Piedmont (Duke University) Orthopaedic Society, May 2013.
Natural history of adolescent thoracolumbar and lumbar idiopathic scoliosis into adulthood. Cordover, A. M., Betz, R. R., Clements, D. H., & Bosacco, S. J. (1997). Journal of Spinal Disorders, 10(3), 193-196. Presented and Poster at North American Spine Society, 1995; Poster presentation to Spine Science-Management, 1995; Presented to American Academy Of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual meeting, 1996; Presented to Scoliosis Research Society, 1996; Poster at International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques, 1996.
Pseudoaneurysm Following Femur Fracture: A Case Report. Cordover, A., Israelite, C., Berman A. (1997). Orthopaedics, 20(11), 1086-1087.
Functional results of percutaneous laser discectomy. Bosacco S. J., Bosacco, D. N., Berman, A. T., Cordover, A., Levenberg, R. J., & Stellabotte, J. (1996). Am J Orthop (Belle Mead NJ), 25(12). 825-828. Presented to American Orthopaedic Association, Residents Meeting, 1994; Presented to Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society, 1993.
Disassociation of Polyethlene Cup Liners After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Characteristic Triad and Recommendations for Treatment. Berman, A., Cordover, A., Silverstein G., Misra, S. (1996). Orthopaedics, 19(8) 971-4.
Investigation of Cardic Septal Pacing Site Superiority (Preceptor:P V Moulder). Tulane University, Department of Surgery, 1986-1989, Invited Seminar: The Possibility of the Ventricular Septum as a Superior Pacer Stimulation Site, April, 1987.
Lumbar Disc Herniation in the Adolescent Athlete.
Cordover A.M., Cordover J.B., Fleisig G.S., Raszewski J.A. (2020)
In: Hsu W., Jenkins T. (eds) Spinal Conditions in the Athlete. Springer, Cham.
Congenital Cervical Anomalies in Athletes.
Pittman J.L., Weng C., Theiss S., Cordover A.M. (2020)
In: Hsu W., Jenkins T. (eds) Spinal Conditions in the Athlete. Springer, Cham.
Trunk axial rotation in baseball pitching and batting.
Fleisig, G. S., Hsu, W. K., Fortenbaugh, D., Cordover, A., Press, J. M. (2013).
Sports Biomechanics, 12(4).
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- North American Spine Society
- Jefferson County Medical Society
Comeback Stories
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Learn MoreAfter a devastating back injury and a failed surgery that left him nearly paralyzed, Jeffrey Vess refused to give up - Through unwavering faith, family support, and the expertise of Dr. Andrew Cordover and his team, Jeff found hope, healing, and a renewed appreciation for life proving that even the darkest moments don't have to define your future.
Jeffrey Vess | Decatur, AL -
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From Chronic Back Pain to Stability - A Spine Surgery Comeback: Genia overcame debilitating back pain and foot drop with advanced spine surgery, restoring her ability to stand, walk, and live independently.
Genia McReynolds | Winfield, AL -
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From Debilitating Pain to Renewed Strength: I fought back to regain my independence and my life.
Cristy Courtney | Winter Park, FL -
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From Sciatic Pain to a Second Chance: After 35 years in aviation left me with crippling sciatic pain, I turned to Dr. Cordover at Andrews Sports Medicine for a major lumbar fusion - and just three months later, I’m back to work and wouldn’t trust my back to anyone else.
Martin Maund | Ariton, AL -
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After 21 years as a firefighter, paramedic, and lifelong martial artist, I overcame a serious neck injury with the help of Dr. Andrew Cordover and Andrews Sports Medicine, achieving my own Victory Over Injury.
Wade Simmons | Alabaster, AL
Media Center
In this edition of PA Spotlight, we introduce to you, Katie Hutto, PA-C. Katie shares details about her career at Andrews Sports Medicine, working alongside Dr. Emily Bell Casey and Dr. Andrew Cordover, and her life in Birmingham, AL.
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