About Neurosurgery & Spine
Neurosurgery + Spine aim to provide a comprehensive patient-centric journey, helping patients understand their condition and treatment choices. Making the most of recent advances in technology and surgical techniques for your complete care.
A multi-disciplinary team of a Neurosurgeon, Spinal and Sports Doctors, Physiotherapists and Psychologist work to together to ensure that you are well informed around the options available to you regarding your condition. Based at the Calvary Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia.
Calvary Adelaide Hospital have a dedicated Neurosurgical Ward and Theatre team. The operating theatre has the latest technology and equipment and is supported by a large Intensive Care Unit. The hospital has the only 24-hour private Emergency Department in Adelaide along with onsite rehabilitation for those patients who require extra help after surgery. All patients have private rooms.
Meet The Team
Prof. Matthew McDonald | Neurosurgeon
Prof Matthew McDonald is an Australian Trained Neurosurgeon & Spinal Surgeon. He completed his FRACS in 2000 and did a further Complex Spine and Spinal Trauma Fellowship in Miami, USA 2001.
Prof McDonald treats all common neurosurgical conditions but has special interest in managing patients with brain tumour. These patients are closely managed in a multi-disciplinary team to ensure the best and latest treatment for each condition.
Prof McDonald has subspecialty interest in Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) surgery for patients with Parkinson's disease and essential tremor. He has now completed over 250 DBS operations with excellent results. DBS can significantly improve quality of like for patients suffering from these conditions.
He spent 19 years as a Visiting Medical Specialist in the Department of Neurosurgery at Flinders Medical Centre as well as previously working at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in the Department of Neurosurgery and Spinal Department.
Prof McDonald holds a position with University of South Australia as a Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery and has a keen interest in improving medical education. Through his work with University of South Australia, he has established the Calvary Adelaide Grand Rounds and Academic Hour. Along with undertaking several research projects with researchers from University of South Australia and Clinicians at Calvary Adelaide Hospital to bring researchers and clinicians close together.
In 2018 and 2019, Prof McDonald has held the position of Calvary Wakefield Hospital, Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) Chair as well as the inaugural Calvary Adelaide Hospital, Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) Chair in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Prof McDonald is a board member of the Neurosurgical Research Foundation (NRF) and has held that position for the last 15 years.
He is passionate about ensuring country patients have access to the best quality healthcare and has been consulting in Naracoorte in the South East, South Australia for well over 10 years and has recently began practicing in Barossa, South Australia in 2019. Along with that he is establishing a DBS service in Townsville, Queensland to increase the access to the patients of Northern Queensland.
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Prof. Ashish Diwan | Spinal Surgeon
Chair of Spinal Surgery, Royal Adelaide Hospital
Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Adelaide University
Professor Ashish Diwan is one of Australia's leading spinal surgeons, internationally recognised for his expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of neck and back disorders. He is Chair of Spinal Surgery at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Adelaide University, and Director of SpineLabs at the Adelaide Medical School.
With more than two decades of experience, Professor Diwan provides comprehensive care for patients with spinal conditions including chronic back pain, disc degeneration, sciatica, spinal stenosis, cervical myelopathy, spinal deformity, and complex revision surgery. His approach combines evidence-based treatment, advanced surgical techniques, and a strong
commitment to helping patents return to an active and fulfilling life.
In addition to maintaining a busy surgical practice, Professor Diwan is internationally recognised for his pioneering research into spinal degeneration and regeneration. He has led numerous first-in-human studies, developed novel technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of back pain, and translated innovative ideas from laboratory research into clinical
care. He is a named inventor on approximately two dozen patents and has successfully led multidisciplinary teams from concept development through to clinical and commercial implementation.
His research into growth differentiation factor-6 (GDF6), a molecule involved in spinal development and repair, has attracted international recognition and offers the potential to transform future treatment options for patients with degenerative disc disease. This work was awarded the prestigious ISSLS Prize for Basic Science, one of the highest honours in spinal research worldwide.
Professor Diwan has secured more than $27 million in research and development funding, supervised numerous PhD candidates and spinal fellows, and has trained the next generation of spine surgeons both in Australia and internationally.
Patients value Professor Diwan's ability to combine world-class surgical expertise with a personalised and compassionate approach to care. His philosophy is simple: to provide every patient with a clear diagnosis, an individualised treatment plan, and access to the most advanced therapies available to help restore function and improve quality of life.
Dr Marc Cesana | Sport & Spinal Doctor
Dr Cesana has vast experience in elite sports medicine in both Australian Rules Football and soccer.
He has worked with the Adelaide Crows Football Club for 15 years and is currently the Senior Medical Officer. He has spent 14 years as the Team Doctor with the Olyroos, including at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. His interests include Australian Rules Football, soccer and military medicine.
Dr Cesana has a Masters in Exercise Science and, as a result, has an interest in rehabilitation of all complex musculoskeletal injuries, including spinal conditions.
You do not need a referral to arrange an appointment with Dr Marc Cesana
Dr James Ilic | Sport & Spinal Doctor
Dr Ilic has vast experience in elite sports medicine and complex spinal conditions.
You do not need a referral to arrange an appointment with Dr James Ilic.
Jo Twelftree | Physiotherapist
Jo graduated from the University of South Australia in 2003 and has since focussed her clinical skills on treating patients in private practice.
Jo enjoys treating patients with back and neck pain as well as patients with neck related headache or migraine. Jo has undertaken additional training in Pilates, dry needling and the assessment and treatment of vestibular disorders.
Outside of work Jo keeps herself very busy with a young family, walking her dog along Goolwa beach as well as tending to the vegie garden.
Contact
Appointments & Enquiries
08 8223 3989
Level 5, 120 Angas Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Fax
08 8232 4168
Referring Doctors
08 8223 3989
Please contact us if you believe the patient needs urgent attention as we are always happy to accommodate clinically urgent appointments.