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Back and Spine Surgery Services

Most back pain can be resolved with non-surgical treatment, but for some serious spinal conditions, surgery can help. In the Sutter Health network, experienced surgeons offer advanced procedures to help alleviate pain and restore function.

Female Hispanic surgeon in operating room

Connect with a Back and Spine Surgeon

Featured Services

  • Artificial Disc Replacement
  • Microdiscectomy
  • Spinal Tumors
  • Spine Fractures

Surgical Help for Back Pain

Most back problems are resolved without the need for surgery, but for some conditions back and spine surgery can help. Sutter Health network board-certified neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons offer the latest in advanced surgical procedures and techniques.

Disc Repair

In patients with pain due to a degenerated or herniated disc, surgeries such as a microdiscectomy to remove part of the disc can help provide relief. In some cases, a corpectomy, removal of part or all of a vertebra, may also be involved. If necessary, the space left by the removed disc can be replaced with an implant or with bone.

Foraminotomy

Foraminotomy is a spinal surgery performed to correct a narrowing of the nerve opening (foraminal stenosis). Taking pressure off a nerve in your spinal column can reduce pain. This surgery can be performed on any level of the spine.

Kyphosis Correction

Kyphosis, which is similar to scoliosis, is another type of abnormal curvature of the spine. It can produce a rounded or hunched back as well as pain and reduced mobility. Kyphosis correction surgery uses spinal implants to help straighten and stabilize the spine.

Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Fusion

Up to 35% of people with low back pain may actually have a painful sacroiliac joint, where the sacrum and ilium pelvic bones meet. Because an MRI scan may be normal, SI joint pain can go undiagnosed for years. Comprehensive treatment includes SI joint injection or ablations. If these therapies don’t relieve the pain, you may be a good candidate for minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion. This surgery is performed through a 1-inch incision, takes less than an hour and involves minimal blood loss. Implants are placed across the SI joint to stabilize the joint, resulting in pain relief in most cases.

Scoliosis Surgery

Some people with scoliosis may need surgery if the curvature of the spine is severe and progressive. Otherwise the curve may cause pain, neurological impairment and affect the function of some organs such as the lungs. Both minimally invasive scoliosis surgery and traditional scoliosis surgery can straighten the curve and create a stable spine using rods and screws.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis—a narrowing of the spinal canal due to arthritis, bone spurs or fractures—can cause pain, tingling and numbness. In these cases, surgeries such as laminoplasty, laminectomy and foraminotomy can relieve pressure from the nerves and/or spinal cord. In some cases, an arthrodesis (spinal fusion) can support the spine by fusing the bone together.

Tarlov Cyst Surgery

The Sutter network is home to the Sutter Medical Foundation Tarlov Cyst Program. Led by Rudolph Schrot, M.D., MAS, FAANS, the program operates on Tarlov cysts which grow on spinal nerves. This program helps alleviate potentially debilitating symptoms from these rare cysts.

Tumor Resection and Removal

In rare cases, a tumor may cause pain in your back or legs as it presses against the nerves. A surgeon may determine that surgery can remove the tumor safely to relieve symptoms and protect the spine.

Advanced Treatments

Female doctor looking over back x-ray with patient

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Back and spine specialists in the Sutter Health network offer minimally invasive procedures to reduce pain and restore mobility.

Health and Wellness

Weighing the Risks of Back Surgery

Weighing the Risks of Back Surgery

Back surgery may or may not help your back pain. Here’s what you need to know.

Weighing the Risks of Back Surgery Weighing the Risks of Back Surgery

Patient Stories

Cheerleader's Flexibility Returns After Scoliosis Surgery

When Caitlin Barker was 14, a minor injury prompted her to get X-rays. The films revealed a worrisome problem — scoliosis.

Scout Leader Learns to Walk Again after Spinal Injury

After a Cub Scout activity paralyzed den leader Matt Metcalf from the neck down, he had to have spinal fusion surgery and learn to walk again.

Surgery for Spondylolysis Relieves Athlete's Back Pain

Jaime Sconberg is no stranger to the world of competitive athletics, or to the hospital operating room. Back surgery has helped her keep moving.

Back in the Saddle after Scoliosis Surgery

Six months after having surgery to fix her scoliosis, Marilyn was back to her favorite hobby, competitive, long-distance horse riding.

Tarlov Cyst Disease - “He gave me my life back.”

With 26 years of experience as a nurse, Payton Walton is no stranger to healthcare.

Tarlov Cyst Disease - Going From Bedridden to Ballroom Dancing

After Heidy Kellinson began to experience severe symptoms from her Tarlov cysts, she turned to Dr. Schrot at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento.

Master Gardener Returns to One of Her Great Joys

Years kneeling over the flower beds had finally taken its toll. With three disintegrating lumbar discs, Gillian reached out for help.

Spinal Stenosis Couldn't Keep Him Down

Wayne learned how to get back on his feet and can happily play with his children again after leg numbness gradually forced him into a wheelchair.

View All Stories

Musculoskeletal Disorders Research

Sutter Health Musculoskeletal Disorders Research
Musculoskeletal disorders are injuries or pain in the body's joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves, tendons and other structures that support the arms, legs, neck and back. Specific disorders include such things as carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis and tendinitis. It can also include cuts and fractures due to accidents. Research in this area seeks to improve the treatment of disorders and the prevention of accidents, especially in the work environment.

Sutter Health Musculoskeletal Disorders Research Sutter Health Musculoskeletal Disorders Research

Doctor Profiles

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
Noah Weiss, M.D.

Noah Weiss, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Kevin E. Hsieh, M.D.

Kevin E. Hsieh, M.D.

  • Neurosurgery

Eric D. Bava, M.D.

Eric D. Bava, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

John H. Welborn, Jr., M.D.

John H. Welborn, Jr., M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Bayan Aghdasi, M.D.

Bayan Aghdasi, M.D.

  • Spine Surgery

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Cyrus E. Taghavi, M.D.

Cyrus E. Taghavi, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Ruwan P. Ratnayake, M.D.

Ruwan P. Ratnayake, M.D.

  • Spine Surgery

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Jack L. Bellah, M.D.

Jack L. Bellah, M.D.

  • Orthopedic Surgery

Zachary M. NaPier, M.D.

Zachary M. NaPier, M.D.

  • Spine Surgery

View All Related Doctors

Services Near You

California Pacific Medical Center

California Pacific Medical Center

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

Sutter Solano Medical Center

Sutter Solano Medical Center

Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

Sutter Surgical Hospital North Valley

Sutter Surgical Hospital North Valley

Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz

Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center of Santa Cruz

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

Sutter Lakeside Hospital

Sutter Lakeside Hospital

View All Related Locations

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