UNC Orthopaedics proudly welcomes Dr. Brian Phelps, a spine surgeon specializing in adult spinal deformity care. Born and raised in North Carolina, Dr. Phelps returns home with a mission to improve lives through advanced surgical techniques and patient-centered care.
Dr. Phelps was drawn to spinal deformity because of its unique blend of biomechanics, anatomy, and the potential for life-changing outcomes. “It’s rewarding to see patients regain independence after years of disability,” he explains. This sense of purpose shaped his decision to focus on adult spinal deformity surgery.
Balancing optimal spinal alignment with minimizing surgical burden is one of the greatest challenges in this field. Each case requires creative planning, mastery of multiple techniques, and often multidisciplinary collaboration. For Dr. Phelps, the most rewarding part is witnessing patients return to activities they once thought impossible.
His decision to join UNC was influenced by the combination of academic excellence, welcoming culture, and the commitment to patient centered care. “I was drawn to the opportunity to contribute to a program that values clinical innovation and educating the next generation of surgeons,” added Dr. Phelps.
Looking ahead, Dr. Phelps aims to strengthen UNC’s spine program by building comprehensive care pathways for complex reconstruction, advancing perioperative optimization, and mentoring future surgeons. He is particularly excited about innovations such as surgical navigation, patient-specific implants, and machine learning tools that personalize goals and improve outcomes.
Dr Phelps is now accepting new patients at UNC Orthopaedics. For appointment information, visit the UNC Orthopaedics website or call 984-974-5700. For referrals select Dr. Phelps as the referring provider.