If you're considering back or neck surgery, finding the best spine neurosurgeons can often feel overwhelming.
Selecting the right spinal surgeon is about much more than just credentials and experience. It's about finding a surgeon who aligns with your specific needs, understands your concerns, and has a proven track record of success.
To help you find the best spine neurosurgeon for you and your procedure, in this article, we’re covering the best spine neurosurgeons and what you should consider when choosing a neurosurgeon.
Here’s a list of some of the best spine neurosurgeons in the US:
Location:
Deuk Spine Institute, Titusville: 494 N Washington Ave Titusville, FL 32796
Deuk Spine Institute, Viera: 7955 Spyglass Hill Rd, Melbourne, FL 32940
About the surgeon:
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian is a board-certified and fellowship-trained neurosurgeon focusing on laser spine surgery and spine care. He serves as Medical Director and CEO at Deuk Spine Institute, where he is simply known as Dr. Deuk to his patients.
Dr. Deuk is renowned for minimally invasive, laser, and endoscopic back, neck, and thoracic treatment. He has treated over 2000 degenerated or herniated lumbar discs, personally performed over 5,000 cervical decompressive discectomies, and developed an innovative laser minimally invasive laser surgery procedure called the Deuk Laser Disc Repair.
Deuk Disc Laser Repair is a revolutionary surgery for people with chronic back and neck pain. Dr. Deuk developed it as an alternative to dangerous traditional surgeries like spinal fusion and disc replacement.
Over 2,000 patients have been treated with this procedure with a 99.6% success rate and zero complications. While the complication rate for lower back and basic spine surgery is between 5-50%, for Deuk laser disc repair, it's 0%.
Dr. Deuk is a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), Surgery Department Chair, Parrish Medical Center, and Brevard County Medical Society (President, Board of Governors). He has been awarded ‘Patient Choice Awards’ consecutively and has positive reviews on Vitals.com.
Surgery types
If you have any chronic back or neck pain, book a free MRI review with Dr. Deuk today to get started.
Location: 16830 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436
About the surgeon:
Dr. Luke Macyszyn is a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon providing care for complex spinal disorders. He serves as head of a National Institute of Health-funded laboratory where he researches using Artificial Intelligence to improve the treatment of patients with spinal disorders.
He completed his bachelor's degree in physiology and neurobiology at Cornell University, NY, his residency at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, and his fellowship in spinal deformity at Shriners Hospital for Children in Tampa.
Surgery types
Location: Duke Neurosurgery of Raleigh - Raleigh, NC
About the surgeon:
Oren N. Gottfried, MD, specializes in the surgical management of complex sacral spinal diseases. He earned his medical degree from the University of Arizona College of Medicine. He completed his residency at the University of Utah School of Medicine and fellowship in spinal deformity orthopedic surgery and spinal oncology at the University of Utah and Johns Hopkins Hospital, respectively.
Surgery types
Location: 180 S. Frontage Road West, Suite 2700, Vail, CO 81657
About the surgeon:
Ernest E. Braxton, MD, MBA, is a neurosurgeon and spine care specialist with a focus on artificial disc surgery, sports-related neurotrauma, and minimally invasive spine surgery.
He completed his medical degree at the University of Pennsylvania and his residency at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh.
Dr. Ernest is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). He has published peer-reviewed publications and serves as a Clinical Professor at a university in San Antonio.
Surgery types
Location: Hartford HealthCare Medical Group: One State Street, Suite 19, Hartford, CT 06103
About the surgeon:
Khalid M, Abbed, MD, is an assistant professor in neurological surgery at Yale School of Medicine. He specializes in spine care and neurosurgery.
Dr. Abbed has 20+ publications with research interests in minimally invasive spine treatments. He has his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, completed his first residency in neurological surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, and completed his first fellowship in spine surgery at Cleveland Clinic.
Surgery types
Location: NewYork-Presbyterian Allen Hospital, 5141 Broadway, New York, NY 10034
About the surgeon:
Dean Chou, MD, is a Professor and Chief of the Spine Division at the Colombia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. His expertise lies in spinal deformity, scoliosis, degenerative spine conditions, and spinal tumors.
After earning his medical degree at the University of California, he undertook a residency in Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and completed a fellowship in spinal surgery at the Barrow Neurological Institute.
He has published 300+ peer-reviewed publications and is on the editorial board of three journal publications.
Surgery types
Location: South Jordan Health Center, 5126 W. Daybreak Parkway, South Jordan, UT 84009
About the surgeon:
Dr.Erica Bisson, MD, is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedics. She studied at Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, and received neurosurgical training at the University of Vermont. She completed her fellowship in complex spinal disorders at the University of Utah.
Dr. Bisson’s expertise is in spinal surgery using artificial disc and fusion technology. She has authored 100+ peer-reviewed articles and does collaborative research in neuroradiology, sports, and exercise.
Surgery types
Location: The Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Meyer Building 5-109, Baltimore, MD 21287
About the surgeon:
Ali Bydon, MD, is the director of the Surgical Outcomes Laboratory and Spinal Column Biomechanics at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He attended the University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, and completed his residency in Neurological Surgery and first fellowship in minimally invasive spine surgery at the Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit.
Dr. Bydon’s research focuses on complex spine reconstructions and their biomechanical properties and minimizing graft subsistence in anterior spinal constructs using novel plate systems.
Surgery types
Location: Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, 35 Park Street, Fl NP8, New Haven, CT 06511
About the surgeon:
Ehud Mendel, MD, MBA is a neurosurgeon specializing in spine sarcoma, spinal cord tumors, and spinal cancer. He has built protocols for removing spinal cord tumors. He finished his residency at the University of Southern California Medical Center and his fellowship in reconstructive spinal surgery at the University of Florida School of Medicine.
Dr. Mendel is the director of Spine Oncology at Smilow Cancer Hospital. He researches the characteristics of a rare noncancerous bone tumor, lower back disorders, and the use of MRIs, radiosurgery, and other surgical tools.
Surgery types
Location:
1200 US-22, 2nd floor, Bridgewater, NJ, 08807
About the surgeon:
Dr. James Chimenti is currently the Chief of the Neurosurgery Division at Somerset Medical Center. After receiving his medical degree from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, he completed an internship in general surgery at NY University Medical Center, Manhattan, and a residency in neurological surgery at a medical center in Philadelphia.
Surgery types
Location:
1305 York Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10021
About the surgeon:
Dr Jeffrey P. Greenfield is the creator and director of the Chiari CARE program for children and adults with Chiari Malformation. His expertise lies in utilizing spine mapping and imaging to treat children with malignant and benign tumors of the spine and brain.
Dr. Greenfield gained his medical degree at Weill Cornell Medical College, completed his pediatric neurosurgery fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and a residency in neurosurgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Surgery types
The following are things to consider when selecting a spine neurosurgeon:
Board certification is a crucial factor to consider when selecting a spine neurosurgeon. Although it's not a legal requirement like having a medical license, board certification such as the American Board of Surgery (ABS) signifies a higher level of dedication and expertise in the field.
A board-certified surgeon has completed at least five years of residency training and has passed the rigorous and intensive ABS examination process. This certification demonstrates a surgeon's commitment to their area of expertise and lifelong learning.
The experience and qualifications of a spine neurosurgeon are important in ensuring successful surgical outcomes. While newly qualified surgeons can be capable, many patients prefer the reassurance of an experienced surgeon.
It’s important to ask about a surgeon’s experience, qualifications, and professional accreditations, including their time spent during an Internship, Residency, and Fellowship. It's also beneficial to inquire about the number of surgeries they've performed, particularly in relation to your specific condition.
Discussing their success rates and any complications they've encountered is also essential. This information helps you gauge their proficiency and experience level, which is critical for complex spine surgeries.
It's important to find a surgeon specializing in the specific type of surgery you require. For example, some surgeons focus on trauma-related spinal conditions, while others may specialize in pediatric spinal issues.
If you're an adult with disc herniation, you'll likely seek a surgeon experienced in advanced, minimally invasive procedures for herniated and bulging discs.
Surgeons skilled in minimally invasive techniques can offer procedures with less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery. These techniques also typically present a lower risk of complications and reduce the need for post-surgery opioids for pain management.
For instance, procedures like Deuk Laser Disc Repair, performed in outpatient settings, don't require opioid painkillers. Be wary of recommendations for metal implants, such as screws or artificial discs. These are more invasive options with longer recovery times and are sometimes recommended due to higher financial incentives.
Always consider getting a second opinion if invasive surgery is suggested to ensure it's the most appropriate course of action for your condition.
A pre-surgery consultation is vital. This meeting is not just about the surgeon examining you, but also an opportunity for you to assess their approach to patient care. A surgeon should be willing to conduct a thorough physical examination and discuss your medical history.
They should go beyond solely relying on MRI scans, as these scans provide structural insights but don't pinpoint the exact source of pain. The best surgeons combine patient history, focused physical exams, and appropriate medical imaging to formulate a treatment plan tailored to the specific causes of your chronic back or neck pain.
During the consultation, also evaluate the surgeon's communication skills, their willingness to answer your questions, and their overall approach to patient care. Remember, the surgeon's expertise is as important as your comfort and trust in their abilities.
When evaluating a spine neurosurgeon, independent patient reviews are invaluable. These testimonials provide unfiltered insights into the surgeon's expertise and patient care. Don't limit your research to the medical institute's website, which might only showcase positive reviews.
Broaden your search online, including a Google search of the surgeon's name or their practice. While encountering a negative review is possible, don't let a single bad experience dissuade you.
However, be cautious of consistently negative patterns or reviews that raise significant concerns. During your consultation, feel free to ask the surgeon about any specific reviews or feedback you’ve found. This can provide additional clarification and help you make a more informed decision.
Let’s take a look at some more questions about spinal neurosurgeons.
The overall cost depends on the surgeon’s experience, the complexity of the surgery, and the hospital’s location. You’ll also incur additional costs like pre-operative diagnosis, anesthesia, and post-operative care. The average hospitalization cost is $14,202.
Back surgeries like spinal fusion, laser spine surgery, etc, have a success rate as high as 90%. However, the clinical outcome of a spine surgery depends on the diagnosis, the surgeon’s experience, and the patient’s overall health condition.
While the complication rate for lower back and basic spine surgery is between 5-50%, for Deuk laser disc repair, it's 0%. And for the over 2,000 patients have been treated with this procedure, there’s been a 99.6% success rate and zero complications.
Spine surgery has a high survival rate–but it requires a surgeon who can perform the surgery with minimal complications, like Dr. Deuk. In addition to having an experienced surgeon, health factors like obesity, age, blood pressure, and preexisting depression contribute to the patient's survival.
Most doctors will encourage you to walk around the day after the surgery, but it could take about 4-6 weeks for you to reach your former level of mobility, depending on the severity of your condition before the surgery. With minimally invasive procedures like Deuk Laser Disk Repair, you can get back to work almost immediately.
If you’re struggling with back and neck pain, you’ll need a neurosurgeon who has years of experience performing spine surgeries. The best surgeon is Dr. Deuk. With over 20 years of performing minimally invasive spine surgeries, Dr. Deuk is highly recommended by patients.
Choosing the right spine surgeon is a critical decision, and it's essential to approach it with diligence and care. Remember, the key is not just about finding a skilled surgeon but also selecting a healthcare facility that deeply values patient well-being.
At Deuk Spine Institute, our focus is on you, the patient. Driven by a commitment to help and heal, we stand apart as a patient-focused healthcare center. We firmly believe that physicians have to prioritize what is best for their patients.
Deuk Spine Institute has performed thousands of procedures and achieved a 99.6% success rate in eliminating pain.
It’s time to finally cure–not just treat–your back or neck pain.
Contact us at Deuk Spine Institute today to get a free MRI review with our team.
