Alex Cruz, MDOrthopedic Surgery in Austin, TX

Alex Cruz, MD, is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in the treatment of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders at Ascension Texas Spine and Scoliosis in Austin and Round Rock, Texas. Dr. Cruz is dedicated to providing individualized, evidence-based care with a philosophy centered on thoughtful decision-making, patient education, and long-term success.

Dr. Cruz believes that the best treatment plan is not always the most aggressive one. He takes a comprehensive and conservative approach to spine care, carefully evaluating each patient's symptoms, physical examination findings, imaging studies, lifestyle, and personal goals before recommending treatment. Whenever possible, he prioritizes nonoperative management and reserves surgery for situations in which it is most likely to provide meaningful and lasting improvement. His ultimate goal is to help patients achieve the best possible outcome while minimizing the risk of complications, treatment failure, and future surgeries.

A strong advocate for shared decision-making, Dr. Cruz believes patients should fully understand their condition and treatment options before moving forward with a care plan. By taking the time to listen, educate, and collaborate, he strives to build lasting relationships founded on trust and open communication.

His clinical interests include motion preservation procedures, cervical and lumbar disc replacement, minimally invasive spine surgery, complex spinal reconstruction, adult spinal deformity, and revision spine surgery. Dr. Cruz also has a strong interest in advancing spine care through emerging technologies, including robotics, artificial intelligence, surgical navigation, and patient-specific implants designed to improve precision and patient outcomes.

Dr. Cruz earned his medical degree from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Baylor College of Medicine. He subsequently completed advanced fellowship training in spine surgery at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and an AO Trauma Fellowship at Korea University in Seoul, South Korea.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Cruz is an active member of the North American Spine Society, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, AO North America, and the American Orthopaedic Association Emerging Leaders Program. He has been recognized as a Texas Monthly Rising Star since 2023 and as an Austin Monthly Top Doctor.

When not caring for patients, Dr. Cruz enjoys traveling, hiking, weight-lifting, road trips, and cooking.