Scott McCarty, MD

Dr. Scott McCarty is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with advanced fellowship training in complex spine surgery. Dr. McCarty treats the full range of spine conditions, with particular depth in OptiLIF, an ultra-minimally invasive low back procedure. He currently serves as Lead Spine Surgery Faculty at Detroit Medical Center, where he also plays an active role in training future orthopedic surgeons through clinical committees and residency education. Dr. McCarty completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Detroit Medical Center/Wayne State University, where he served as Administrative Chief Resident, followed by a spine surgery fellowship at the University of Maryland Medical Center. He earned his medical degree with AOA honors from Indiana University School of Medicine and also holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree with distinction from Purdue University. His dual background in medicine and pharmacy uniquely positions him to offer comprehensive and thoughtful care to his patients.

Dr. McCarty’s clinical interests focus on spinal disorders and surgical solutions that improve quality of life. He believes in taking the time to understand each patient’s condition and goals in order to deliver personalized care. In addition to his surgical practice, he has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications on innovative topics in spine surgery, including minimally invasive techniques and the use of augmented reality in the operating room. Patients appreciate his clear communication, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes. Whether managing routine spinal issues or complex surgical cases, Dr. McCarty is dedicated to helping his patients move forward with strength and confidence.

Research Publications

• Comparison of Outcomes in Percutaneous Fixation of Traumatic
  Fractures between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Diffuse Idiopathic
  Skeletal Hyperostosis.
  Scott McCarty, Jacobe Bruckner, Daniel Cavanaugh, Eugene Koh,
  Steven Ludwig, Daniel Gelb
  Global Spine Journal
  Pub Status: Published

• Efficacy and Outcome Measurement of iFactor/ABM/P-15 in Lumbar
  Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review.
  Hasan S, Al-Jamal M, Miller A, Higginbotham DO, Cavazos DR, Waheed
  M, Saleh E, McCarty SA.
  Global Spine Journal
  Pub Status: Published
  The lateral Approach in Lumbar Total Disc Replacement:
  A Literature Review.
  Ahmad Amer, Yazan Issa, Devan Higginbotham, Abdul Zalikha,
  Scott McCarty
  International Journal of Spine Research
  Pub Status: Published

• Neuroforaminal Stenosis in the Lumbosacral Spine: A Literature
  Review to the Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnostic
  Imaging, and Treatment.
  Cavazos D, Higginbotham DO, Court T, Nham F, McCarty S, Sethi A,
  Vaidya R.
  Spartan Med Res J.
  Pub Status: Published

• Virtual and Augmented Reality in Spine Surgery: An Era of Immersive
  Healthcare.
  Hasan S, Miller A, Higginbotham D, Saleh ES, McCarty S
  Cureus.
  Pub Status: Published

• Mechanism and Timing of Injury to the Thoracic, Lumbar and Sacral
  Spine in Simulated Underbody Blast PMHS Impact Tests.
  Karthik Somasundaram, Paul Begeman, Scott McCarty, Don Sherman,
  John Cavanaugh.
  Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
  Pub Status: Published

• Biomechanical Strength Comparison of Pedicle Screw Augmentation Using
  Poly-Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate (P-DCPD) and Polymethylethacrylate
  (PMMA) Cements. Alberto Criado, Sanar Yokhana, Tahsin Rahman, Scott McCarty,
  Weiping Ren, Walid Yassir.
  Spine Deformity
  Pub Status: Published

• Review Article: The ACGME Resident Case Log Reporting System for
  Orthopaedic Programs. Ali Hamade, Zain Sayeed, Mark Lane, Scott
  McCarty, Gamal Mostafa, Walid Yassir, Khaled Saleh
  Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery
  Pub Status: Published

• Walls Down Curtains Up – Building Accountable OR Teams. David
  Mansour, Scott McCarty, Kristalyn Mauch, Frederick Tonnos.
  Journal of Bone and Joint Reviews
  Pub Status: Published