My research focuses on scoliosis and spinal deformity in adults and children. I collaborate with researchers nationally and internationally across North America, Europe and Asia to identify surgical risks, understand which treatments work best, and determine which patients truly need an operation. I have written international guidelines on the treatment of adult spinal deformity, and I lead my own research group investigating improved surgical techniques for adults and children with scoliosis. My aim is to make treatment for spine conditions safer and more effective, improving outcomes and giving every patient the best possible chance of a successful result and full recovery.
Brett Rocos, MD, MB ChB
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Pediatric Spine Surgeon, Spine Surgeon
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My Locations
About Me
I specialize in scoliosis and spinal deformity for both adults and children, from early-onset and adolescent scoliosis to adult scoliosis, kyphosis, and complex spinal imbalance, as well as complex disorders of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine, treated using open and minimally invasive techniques. I hold joint appointments as assistant professor of orthopaedic surgery and neurosurgery at Duke University. I trained at two of North America’s foremost deformity centers—the Hospital for Sick Children and Toronto Western Hospital in Toronto—before joining Duke from Barts Health NHS Trust in London. I am an active member of the Scoliosis Research Society and its Research Grants Committee, a member of the International Spine Study Group, and an SRS LEAD Scholar (2025–26). My approach is built on close collaboration. I take my time to ensure that every patient understands their condition, helping each individual make the treatment decision that is right for them and their circumstances. Every patient is a person with their own needs and wants—I treat each as I would wish to be treated at every stage. My team and I are here to help with any concerns and questions before, during and after treatment.
Current Appointments and Affiliations
Patients I Treat
Languages I Speak
English
Areas of Expertise
- Pediatric Spinal Deformities
- Cervical Myelopathy
- Cervical Spine
- Herniated Disc
- Revision Spinal Surgery
- Sagittal Imbalance
- Spine Surgery
- Growing Spine Surgery
- Scoliosis in Children
- Scoliosis
Ratings and Reviews
The ratings and reviews are based on patient responses to the overall provider rating question from the survey. The question reads: “Using any number from 0 to 10, where 0 is the worst provider possible and 10 is the best provider possible, what number would you use to rate this provider?” Responses are converted to a 5-point rating system and applied consistently to all providers. Learn more about our survey process. Patients who see some types of providers receive a different version of the patient satisfaction survey. Those results are not available on DukeHealth.org.
Training and Education
Fellowship
Adult Complex Spine Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, 2020-2021
Pediatric Spine and Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children (Toronto, Canada), 2019-2020
Academic Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Bristol (UK), 2015-2016
Major Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery, North Bristol NHS Trust (United Kingdom), 2014-2015
Residency
Orthopaedic Surgery, Severn School of Surgery (United Kingdom), 2011-2019
General Surgery, Severn School of Surgery (United Kingdom), 2006-2010
Education
MD, University of Bristol (England), 2017
MB ChB, University of Bristol (England), 2006
BSc (Hons), University of Bristol (England), 2003
FRCS (Tr & Orth), Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2018
Clinical Focus and Research
Insurance Accepted
Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below.
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Aetna
- Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
- Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
- Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
- Aetna HMO
- Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice POS
- Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
- Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
- Aetna Open Choice PPO
- Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
- Aetna Select HMO
- Aetna Traditional Choice
- Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
- Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
- Aetna/CVS Health
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Ambetter
- Ambetter of North Carolina
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
- Blue Advantage (*Available in select counties only)
- Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
- Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
- Blue Select
- Blue Value (*Duke Health Lake Norman and Kernodle Clinics only)
- NC State Employees Health Plan
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
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Cigna
- Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
- Cigna Choice Plus
- Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
- Cigna Open Access
- Cigna Open Access Plus
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*Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
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Duke Employee Plans
- Cigna Care
- Duke Advantage
- Duke Basic
- Duke Options
- Duke Select
- Duke USA
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Experience Health
- Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
- Gateway Health Alliance
- Healthgram
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Humana
- Humana Choice (PPO)
- Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
- Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
- Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
- MedCost
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Medicare
- First Medicare Direct
- Medicare Part A
- Medicare Part B
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NC Medicaid
- Alliance Health
- AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
- Carolina Complete Health
- Healthy Blue
- NC Medicaid Direct
- Partners
- Trillium
- UHC Community Plan
- Vaya Health
- WellCare of North Carolina
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TRICARE
- TRICARE Prime
- TRICARE Prime Remote
- TRICARE Select
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United Healthcare
- AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
- AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
- AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
- All Savers Alternate Funding
- All Savers Fully Insured
- United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)**
- United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
- United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
- United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
- United Healthcare Option PPO
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
- United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
- United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
- United Medical Resources (UMR)
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*Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.
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**Duke Health does not participate in UHC plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.
External Relationships
This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies or institutions listed below. This information has been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.
- Bioventus
- Medtronic
- National Scoliosis Clinic