IU Health West’s spine surgeons follow a patient-first philosophy

Written by Charlotte Stefanski, cstefanski@iuhealth.org, writer for IU Health's Metro Region

As IU Health West continues to grow its Spine program, two surgeons, Dr. Motasem Al Maaieh, MD, and Dr. Young Lu, MD, have transformed their friendship into a partnership to provide patients with the best care possible.

In 2024, leaders at IU Health West saw a need for more spine surgical services in the Indianapolis suburban area. Efforts began to grow the program and recruit surgeons.

Two of those surgeons are Dr. Motasem Al Maaieh, MD, and Dr. Young Lu, MD, both specializing in orthopedic spine surgery.

They’re no strangers, as they worked together at the University of Miami in Florida.

As IU Health West continues to expand its Spine program, both doctors are committed to developing the best care plan alongside their patients.

“We’re always trying to figure out what’s best for the patient. I think you could use the example of Batman and Robin,” Lu says. “We’re a good team. We're always honest with each other and willing to help each other.”

From friendship to partnership

Before that “Batman and Robin” dynamic, the two met at a spine research conference in France in 2013.

Lu was a medical student at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, and Al Maaieh was completing a spine surgery fellowship there. After, the two became friends and stayed in touch.

Al Maaieh practiced at the University of Miami for almost 10 years, with Lu joining him after completing his fellowship.

“We worked on cases together and helped each other out,” Lu says. “We did some big surgeries together and always felt that our collaboration was best for the patient.”

“He was also as crazy as me,” Al Maaieh jokes. “We were like, ‘We’ll do the tumors together and we'll do the big cases together.’ It was nice.”

In 2024, Al Maaieh took the opportunity to be closer to family and help build IU Health West’s Spine program. Then, in the fall of 2025, so did Lu.

A specialty with proven results

While both doctors share a work history, they also share a passion for spine care—both were inspired to go into the specialty because of its positive impact on patients.

Lu always knew he wanted to be a physician. He was inspired by his mother, who was a pediatric surgeon.

He recalls observing a hand surgeon while in college, and after the procedure, the patient’s numbness was gone. As he started working with spine surgeons, he saw that same instant success.

“Spine patients can have debilitating pain and disability from nerve compression, spinal instability or deformity. To have somebody wake up from surgery and have that be gone is a very fulfilling experience,” he says. “The surgeries must be well-planned and done carefully, and you must always be on your toes, but that's why I wanted to do it. You can make a difference in someone's life.”

Al Maaieh hadn’t always planned to go into medicine—he was going to follow his father’s footsteps and go into business. But as he explored career options, he found a passion for helping others.

As he entered medical school, he knew he wanted to go into spine surgery, but there were two routes he could take—neurosurgery or orthopedics. He went with orthopedics.

“It had to be surgical. In surgery, you have to go and fix something,” Al Maaieh explains. “You see the problem, and you see the outcome immediately.”

Patients from all walks of life

Lu and Al Maaieh see a variety of spine issues, from common neck and lower back issues to more complex conditions.

About 80% of their work includes minimally invasive spine surgery, nerve decompression, disc herniations, neck and back pain and fusions. The other 20% are complex cases, including treating spinal deformity such as scoliosis and spinal tumors.

But conversations with patients don’t always begin with surgery. The team works with them to find the best solution, whether that be pain management, physical therapy, injections, and if needed, surgery.

“You see the whole range, the whole spectrum, of patients. But we maximize conservative treatment whenever possible,” Lu explains.

“The quality care that you get here, it doesn't start with just the surgeons," Al Maaieh says. It’s the whole team.”

IU Health West's Spine program continues to grow

When Al Maaieh joined the team in 2024, he knew establishing a Spine program might take some time—especially since the specialty is so complex.

“It was actually seamless. The process was so smooth, because the intentions of everyone involved were serious,” Al Maaieh says. “Everyone involved was determined to create a good Spine program, and everybody went the extra mile.”

Within a few short years, the hospital opened a ninth operating room, allowing for more spine surgeries to take place. Additional imaging technology has also been installed near the Spine suite, located in the hospital’s Medical Office Building, improving patient access.

More surgeons have been brought on, including Lu, and IU Health West also launched the first hospital-based spine nurse navigator role. The navigator focuses heavily on patient and team member education and serves as a connection between the outpatient clinic and the surgical teams.

“Since day one, everybody wanted this to succeed on all levels,” Al Maaieh says. “We ramped up quickly, and last year, we did more than 100 cases.”

“I've never seen a hospital or a group that is so dedicated to trying to make this work—You can tell that there is a very serious commitment,” Lu adds. “This team will go beyond the call of duty to ensure that every patient has a good experience, the team members have a good experience and the surgeons have a good experience.”

What patients should know

Spine care can seem daunting for many, and Al Maaieh and Lu agree that their first step when working with any patient is to listen.

“Patients want to feel reassured that they are in good hands,” Lu explains. “We take the time to listen and to try to understand how the disease is impacting their quality of life so we can determine the best treatment.”

And that treatment almost never immediately begins with surgery.

“When the patient comes to me with any problem, I always say, ‘You have five options, and those are doing nothing, pain medication, physical therapy, injection and surgery—and we always say surgery last,” Al Maaieh explains. “When it comes to surgery, we always attempt the least invasive option.”

“We're capable of doing almost anything at IU Health West and we're with our patients every step of the way, so they never feel alone. They can reach us at any time,” Lu adds. “Every treatment plan is tailor-made.”

To learn more about IU Health’s Spine program, visit  https://iuhealth.org/find-medical-services/back-spine-care.