Dr. Michael L. Fernandez is a highly experienced, board-certified orthopedic surgeon at the Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania (OIP), where he has proudly served the communities of Central Pennsylvania—including Camp Hill, Carlisle, Harrisburg, and Hershey—for more than 15 years. He is dedicated to delivering the highest quality of care with genuine compassion, taking the time to listen patiently, explain every step clearly, and provide meticulous attention to detail. Patients consistently praise his approachable bedside manner and the way he makes complex spinal issues feel understandable and manageable, fostering trust and confidence throughout the treatment journey.
Dr. Fernandez treats all conditions of the spine, from degenerative disc disease and herniated discs to spinal stenosis, deformities, and trauma. His practice places a strong emphasis on minimally invasive spine surgery—techniques that use smaller incisions, specialized instruments, and advanced imaging to reach the problem area with far less disruption to surrounding muscles and tissues than traditional open surgery. The benefits for Central Pennsylvania patients are significant: reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays (often same-day or overnight), faster return to work and family activities, and quicker overall recovery.
Dr. Fernandez was one of the first surgeons in the region to routinely perform cervical disc replacement procedures and remains among the area’s most experienced in minimally invasive lateral lumbar spine surgery. He also offers traditional techniques when they are the most appropriate option, always tailoring the plan to each patient’s unique needs and lifestyle.
A native of the region, Dr. Fernandez earned his undergraduate degree from Saint Joseph’s University before receiving his medical degree from Penn State College of Medicine. He completed his general surgery internship and orthopedic residency at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, followed by a specialized fellowship in Orthopedic and Neurosurgery Spine Surgery at the University of Utah. During his fellowship, he also served as a staff spine surgeon at the Salt Lake City Veterans Administration Hospital, further honing his skills in complex spinal care.
In addition to his clinical excellence, Dr. Fernandez has co-authored textbook chapters on spine surgery and has twice received the Orthopedic Surgery Clinical Teaching Award for his dedication to training the next generation of surgeons. He has also served on the UPMC Pinnacle Health System Board of Directors and Governance Committee, contributing to the advancement of orthopedic care across Central Pennsylvania.
If you or a loved one in Central Pennsylvania is living with neck or back pain and seeking relief that prioritizes both surgical precision and compassionate, patient-centered care, Dr. Fernandez and the OIP team are here to help. His combination of advanced minimally invasive expertise, proven results, and thoughtful bedside manner ensures that every patient receives personalized, educational guidance toward the fastest and safest path to recovery. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how Dr. Fernandez can support your journey back to an active, pain-free life.
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1. Suspicious mass or tumor
a. On initial evaluation or follow up
2. Staging of known cancer
3. Suspected or known infection (septic arthritis or osteomyelitis)
4. Suspected Osteonecrosis
5. Evaluation of Rheumatoid Arthritis or other autoimmune diseases
6. Evaluation of Post-op Complications
a. Infection, delayed union, other
7. Suspected fracture with prior imaging non-diagnostic
8. Abnormal bones scan with non-diagnostic Xray
9. Significant injury with suspected ligament, cartilage, tendon, nerve or bone injury with non-diagnostic prior imaging
a. Suspected massive rotator cuff tear
10. Evaluation of pain or more minor injury with initial imaging non-diagnostic:
a. Pain lasting 3 months or greater
b. Failed conservative therapy: Must include each one:
i. Rest: modified activities or assistive devices/rigid splints or braces
ii. Ice or heat
iii. Medications and/or injections
iv. Physical therapy or a physician directed home exercise program
or chiropractic care
1. Document instructions given
2. Document compliance and results
3. Document duration and dates
1. Tumor, masses, or cancer: suspected or known
2. Neurological Deficits
3. Trauma or acute injury
a. With neurological deficits
b. With progressive symptoms during conservative treatment
4. Infection: known or suspected
5. Inflammation: Ankylosing Spondylitis
6. Pre-op Evaluation
7. Post-op Complications
8. Acute or Chronic Axial or radicular pain
a. Pain lasting 6 weeks or greater
b. ADLs must be affected
c. Progressive neurological deficit or an abnormal EMG
i. Must document specific dermatome, muscle weakness, reflex
abnormalities
d. Failed conservative therapy: Must include each one:
i. Rest: modified activities or bracing
ii. Ice or heat
iii. Medications, acupuncture or stimulators
1. Specific name of medication start date and duration and
results
iv. Epidurals or other injections (not trigger point injections)
v. Physical therapy or a physician directed home exercise program
or chiropractic care
1. Document instructions given
2. Document compliance and results
3. Document duration and dates
1. Musculoskeletal Pelvic MRI:
a. Mass or tumor
b. Significant injury to rule out fracture or other injury
c. Osteonecrosis of hips
d. Sacroiliitis
e. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
f. Pain lasting 3 months or greater
g. Failed conservative therapy: Must include each one:
i. Rest: modified activities or assistive devices/rigid
splints or braces
ii. Ice or heat
iii. Medications and/or injections
iv. Physical therapy or a physician directed home
exercise program or chiropractic care
1. Document instructions given
2. Document compliance and results
3. Document duration
h. Persistent Pain not responsive to 4 weeks of conservative treatment
2. Prostate Cancer Evaluation, follow up, and surveillance
3. Mass or Tumors
4. Cancer detection, staging, or surveillance
a. 3, 6, or 12 month follow up
5. Infection:
a. Appendicitis
b. Diverticulitis not responding to conservative care
c. Inflammatory bowel disease
d. Abscess suspected
e. Fistula
f. Abnormal fluid collection
6. Pelvic Floor failure
7. Uterine abnormalities
8. Undescended Testes
9. Pre-op Evaluation
10. Post-op Complication
1. Suspicious Mass or Tumor
a. On initial evaluation or follow up
2. Staging of known Cancer
3. Known or suspected infection
4. Suspected Osteonecrosis or Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
5. Suspected SCFE, tarsal coaltion
6. Evaluation of Post-op complication:
a. Infection, delayed union, other
7. Suspected fracture with prior imaging non-diagnostic
8. Abnormal bone scan with non-diagnostic xray
9. Significant injury with suspected ligament, cartilage, or bone injury
10. Evaluation of pain or more minor injury with initial imaging negative:
a. Pain lasting 3 months or greater
b. Failed conservative therapy: Must include each one:
i. Rest: modified activities or assistive devices/rigid splints or braces
ii. Ice or heat
iii. Medications and/or injections
iv. Physical therapy or a physician directed home exercise program orchiropractic care
1. Document instructions given
2. Document compliance and results
3. Document duration
1. Mediastinal or hilar mass
2. Myasthenia gravis with suspected thymoma
3. Brachial Plexus Dysfunction
4. Thoracic/Thoracoabdominal aneurysm
5. Suspected or confirmed Congenital Heart Disease
6. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
1. Suspected or known MS
2. Seizure disorder, known or suspected new or refractory
3. Suspected Parkinson’s disorder
4. Neurological symptoms or deficits
a. Acute, new or fluctuating deficits
5. Mental status changes
6. Trauma to the head with neurological changes, vomiting, headache
7. Evaluation of headaches
a. Chronic with change in pattern/character
b. Sudden onset severe headache
c. New onset headache in pregnancy
8. Suspected brain tumor or cancer
9. Known or suspected stroke
10. Suspected Infection
11. Suspected Congenital abnormality
12. New onset tinnitus or vertigo associated with visual changes
MRI
1. Suspicious Mass or Tumor
2. Surveillance of Mass, Tumor, or Cancer
a. 3, 6, 12 month follow up
3. Suspected infection:
a. Appendicitis
b. Peritonitis
c. Pancreatitis
d. Inflammatory bowel disease
e. Cholecystitis
f. Abscess
g. Fistula
h. Hepatitis C
4. Preoperative Evaluation
5. Post-op complication
MRCP
1. Suspected Congenital Abnormality
2. Chronic pancreatitis or related complications
3. Biliary tree symptoms
4. Pre-op Evaluation
5. Post-op complication or surveillance
6. Inconclusive abnormalities identified on other imaging