Complex Spine Surgery

If stubborn back or neck pain is getting in the way of your busy life, turn to the experts at UMass Memorial Health.

Exceptional Back Surgery in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

Our Complex Spine Program provides high-quality services that help you return to your busy life as quickly as possible. Trusted neurosurgeons with vast experience in spinal disorders, tumors and vascular disease deliver the services you need. We treat some of the most severe spinal issues and maintain excellent outcomes.

Spine Disorders We Treat

Our team delivers comprehensive care for a wide range of spine and disk problems, including: 

Our Complex Spine Surgery Services

We are one of New England's top minimally invasive back surgery centers. Highly skilled neurosurgeons use sophisticated technologies to carry out treatments, such as spinal fusion, through small incisions. For more complicated conditions, we perform advanced procedures to repair and strengthen your spine.

Complex spine surgery options we offer include:

Microdiscectomy for Herniated Disk

Herniated disks occur when the cushioning material between spine bones slips out of place. This causes pressure on nearby nerves, leading to pain and muscle weakness. Microdiscectomy helps you get relief by removing the part of the disk pressing against the nerve. It is a minimally invasive procedure we perform through small incisions.  

Spinal Decompression for Chronic Back Pain

We use a variety of techniques to relieve pressure on your spine. The option that's right for you depends on what's causing the pain. Treatment may involve removing part of a disk or section of bone. Neurosurgeons may also create a wider opening in your spine bones to prevent them from putting pressure on your nerves.

Spinal Fusion for Chronic Back Pain

Spinal fusion involves permanently connecting (fusing) two vertebrae together to stabilize your spine. Neurosurgeons place hardware, such as plates and screws, in the treatment area. Over time, your body builds new bone tissue that eventually fuses the two bones. You may benefit from this treatment if you have back pain with numbness and muscle weakness.

Spinal Reconstruction for Severe Spine Issues

This advanced offering is for traumatic back injuries and people with significant spinal curvature from conditions like scoliosis or kyphosis. Our neurosurgeons place surgical hardware, such as rods and pins, to hold your spine in the correct position.

Artificial Disk Surgery for Chronic Back Pain

We replace a worn-out or diseased vertebra with an artificial one instead of fusing two bones. Artificial disk surgery helps you maintain more of your back's natural motion than if the vertebrae were fused. The procedure is also known as disk replacement surgery or motion-preserving arthroplasty.

Why Choose Us for Back Surgery?

Expertise

You receive services from neurosurgeons, many with advanced fellowship training, who specialize in complex spine surgery. Our experts have a depth of experience that comes from performing a high volume of procedures. But they recommend surgery only if they are confident that it will benefit you.

Rehabilitation After Back Surgery

For advanced cases, rehabilitative therapies enable you to get moving again after back surgery. You receive services from physical therapists who use the latest methods to help you achieve your goals. They guide you through exercises that gradually increase motion and strength with less pain. Find out more about physical therapy.

Team Approach

Neurosurgeons work closely with orthopedic surgeons, physical medicine doctors (physiatrists) and other specialists in our multidisciplinary Center for Spine Health. We help many people feel better with nonsurgical therapies like physical therapy and injections. If back surgery is appropriate, we coordinate every detail for a seamless experience. 

Contact Us

Call 855-UMASS-MD to make an appointment with a neurosurgeon.

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