Spine surgeons

Orthopedic spine surgeons are orthopedic surgeons, (doctors who specialize in the assessment and treatment of problems with the bones, joints, muscles and tendons), who are specially trained in the field of spine surgery. While most orthopedic surgeons use surgical and non-surgical techniques to treat bone breaks and dislocations, sports-related injuries, arthritis, infections, tumors, and inherited disorders that impact the musculoskeletal system, spine surgeons focus primairly on issues affecting the spinal column, such as herniated discs or the treatment of sciatica.

Orthopedic surgeons complete 4 years of medical school and a 5-year residency program. Spine surgeons then pursue additional training, often by completing additional fellowship in spine surgery.

Spine surgeons treat low back pain and/or leg pain that has not responded to conservative treatments such as physical therapy, medications such as pain killers, muscle relaxants, (or a combination of both), manual manipulation (e.g., specialized stretches and movements performed by a chiropractor), acupuncture (the placement of small needles), or other non surgical therapies. Patients are typically referred to spine surgeons when their pain has not diminished after several months of non-invasive treatment, or if their back pain or sciatica is so severe that it significantly interferes with their quality of life or ability to perform normal activities.

Doctors send patients to spine surgeons as they can effectively treat low back and leg pain caused by neural impingement (pinched nerves). Neural impingement can be created by spinal stenosis, a condition where the spinal nerve roots in the lower back are compressed, disc herniation, which occurs when the inner core of a vertebral disc pokes through the outer core and inflames surrounding nerves, spondylolisthesis, when one vertebra slips forward on another because of a small fracture in a piece of bone that connects the two joints, or a spinal tumor.

Spine surgeons perform an array of procedures, depending on the nature of the patient’s problem and level of pain and associated impairment. Minimally invasive spine surgery procedures, such as a selective endoscopic discectomy, allow to use small surgical instruments that produce minimal scaring, and allow for a quicker and less painful recovery. Other types of back surgery (such as spinal fusion for degenerative disc disease) can be more extensive and often have a much longer recovery time for patients undergoing the procedure.

Desert Institute For Spine Care
1635 E. Myrtle
Suite 400
Phoenix AZ 85020
602-944-2900

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