Board-Certified Neurosurgeon · New York

Dr. Brian McHugh, MD, FAANS, FACS

Travel for Advanced Spine Care From a Trusted New York Neurosurgeon

Telehealth-first consultations for patients seeking expert second opinions, revision, deformity or scoliosis surgery, and minimally invasive spine solutions-wherever you are.

Request Private Consultation How It Works

20+ Years Experience

3,000+ Cases Performed

Yale & HSS Fellowship Trained

Castle Connolly Top Doctor Recognized in 2025 & 2026 for excellence
in neurosurgery & complex spine care

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Why Patients Seek Out Dr. McHugh

When Local Care Isn't Enough, Patients Travel

Patients from across the country choose Dr. Brian McHugh for spine conditions that require a level of subspecialty expertise that isn't always available locally.

Your geography should not determine the quality of your spine care. Distance is manageable - an unsolved spine problem is not.

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Complex & High-Stakes Cases

Multi-level pathology, failed prior interventions, and conditions requiring advanced surgical planning benefit from the subspecialty expertise Dr. McHugh brings to every case.

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Revision Surgery

When a prior spine surgery hasn't delivered lasting relief, or symptoms have returned, Dr. McHugh specializes in complex revision procedures.

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Second Opinions That Matter

Before committing to any spine surgery, an independent expert opinion from Dr. McHugh, a board-certified neurosurgeon, can change the outcome and the plan.

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Advanced & Minimally Invasive Techniques

Motion-sparing solutions and deformity correction - techniques Dr. McHugh has specialized in throughout his career that aren't available at every center.

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Personalized, Unhurried Care

No assembly-line consultations. Dr. McHugh reviews your case personally and builds a plan around you, not a protocol.

Is This For You?

You May Be the Right Candidate If…

You've been told you need spine surgery and want an independent expert opinion from Dr. McHugh before proceeding.

You've had a prior spine surgery that failed, didn't hold, or left you with recurring or worsened symptoms.

You want a minimally invasive option or a motion-sparing alternative to fusion that may not be offered locally.

You've been diagnosed with scoliosis or spinal deformity and want a surgeon with focused deformity expertise.

You have a complex spine condition and haven't found a local specialist comfortable treating it.

You are willing to travel for a higher level of specialization and want to ensure you're working with the best-fit surgeon.

How It Works

A Clear Path from Inquiry to Care

Dr. McHugh's process is designed to be simple, private, and respectful of your time - starting with a telehealth consultation from the comfort of your home.

Request Consultation

Complete Your Pre-Visit Questionnaire

Share your condition, history, and goals.

Schedule Your Telehealth Consult

No travel required for the first step. Meet with Dr. McHugh via secure video from anywhere in the country.

Imaging Review & Treatment Discussion

Share your MRIs, X-rays, or CT scans. Dr. McHugh reviews them personally and walks you through findings and options.

Travel & Scheduling Coordination

If surgery or in-person evaluation is indicated, our concierge team helps coordinate your visit to New York.

Surgery, Recovery & Follow-Up Planning

Post-operative care coordinates with your local provider, with telehealth follow-up to monitor your recovery.

About the Surgeon

Board-Certified Neurosurgeon

Yale University Residency

John Cobb Fellow, Hospital for Special Surgery

Former Chief of Neurosurgery, INOVA Alexandria Hospital

Dr. Brian McHugh

MD, FAANS, FACS · Neurosurgeon, New York

Dr. Brian McHugh is a board-certified Neurosurgeon focusing on all aspects of spinal surgery. He has fellowship training in minimally invasive spine surgery, spinal oncology, and scoliosis surgery in both children and adults.

After completing his residency at Yale University, he was the John Cobb Fellow in Adult and Pediatric Scoliosis at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He went on to practice in the Washington DC area and became Chief of Neurosurgery at the INOVA Alexandria Hospital, focusing on complex spine surgery and pain management.

He resides in New York with his family and their two dogs.

Castle Connolly Top Doctor - 2025 & 2026 Recognized among the nation's top physicians for excellence in neurosurgery and complex spine care.

Travel Support

We Handle the Logistics So You Can Focus on Healing

Coming from out-of-state for surgery is a significant undertaking. Dr. McHugh's concierge team makes this process seamless.

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Telehealth-First Approach

Your first consultation is always remote - no flight required until it makes sense for your care.

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Concierge Coordination Team

A dedicated point of contact helps schedule, communicate, and coordinate your entire visit.

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Imaging Review Before You Travel

Send your existing scans ahead of time - no visit is wasted.

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Travel & Lodging Guidance

Resources to help you plan your stay with family or a care companion.

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Post-Op Care

Ongoing monitoring after surgery coordinating with your local providers.

Dr. McHugh is absolutely amazing. I am 44 years old and had Spinal Fusion Surgery from T6-Pelvic with Dr. McHugh in December of 2025. The surgery went great and my recovery is going just as great. I am so thankful to Dr. McHugh!

- T. on Google

Private Consultation Options

Transparent, Private-Pay Friendly Care

Many out-of-state patients seeking second opinions or elective consultations work with Dr. McHugh on a private-pay basis. We believe you deserve clear information before committing to anything.

Private consultation options available for second opinions and out-of-state evaluations

Financial responsibilities reviewed transparently in advance

Surgical costs, facility fees, and care coordination discussed openly

Request an Expert Evaluation

Tell us about your condition and goals. There's no obligation - just a private, expert review of your situation by Dr. McHugh.

Request Consultation

Confidential · No commitment required · Telehealth available nationwide

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers for Out-of-State Patients

Do I need to travel for the first appointment?+

No. Your initial consultation is conducted via secure telehealth video. You only need to travel to New York if we determine that an in-person evaluation, imaging, or surgery is appropriate for your case.

Can my imaging be reviewed before I come to New York?+

Absolutely. We encourage you to share your MRI, CT, or X-ray imaging before your consultation. Dr. McHugh reviews them personally so your telehealth visit is immediately productive.

What types of spine conditions do you treat?+

Dr. McHugh treats the full spectrum of spine conditions, with subspecialty focus on scoliosis, spinal deformity, revision surgery, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, stenosis, compression fractures, and spinal tumors.

Do you offer second opinions?+

Yes. Second opinion consultations are among the most common reasons out-of-state patients reach out to Dr. McHugh. We strongly support informed decision-making before any spine surgery.

Do you help coordinate travel?+

Yes. Our concierge team is experienced with out-of-state patients and can provide guidance on accommodations, local logistics, and how to coordinate your visit alongside any companion traveling with you.

How long would I need to stay in New York?+

This varies by procedure. Many minimally invasive surgeries allow patients to return home within a few days. More complex deformity or revision cases may require a longer stay. Dr. McHugh's team will give a specific timeline during your consultation.

Can follow-up be done by telehealth?+

Immediate post-operative follow-up will be in-person. Any additional follow-ups, if needed, can be conducted via telehealth, in coordination with your local physician.

What if I've already had spine surgery before?+

This is one of Dr. McHugh's areas of subspecialty focus. If you've had prior spine surgery that failed or produced incomplete results, revision spine surgery may be an option. Dr. McHugh reviews prior operative reports and imaging to understand what was done and what may be improved.

Take the First Step

Your Path to Expert Spine Care Starts Here

Fill out your pre-visit questionnaire today. If appropriate, Dr. McHugh's team will reach out to schedule a private telehealth consultation. No commitment.
No travel required yet.

Request Private Consultation

Confidential · Nationwide Telehealth · Board-Certified Neurosurgeon