By Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, MD
Board Certified Neurosurgeon
Published on July 2, 2026
Disclaimer: The medical information in this article is intended for educational purposes only. Consult with a spine specialist about specific spine conditions based on your MRI.
Key Points
✓ 1 in 3 people in the U.S. experiences chronic neck pain. And if surgery becomes necessary the surgeon you choose can have a major impact on your results.
✓ Discover 10 of the leading cervical spine surgeons in 2026 including: Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, Dr. K. Daniel Riew, Dr. Isador Lieberman, and Dr. Todd Albert.
✓ Before choosing a neck surgeon. Take time to review: their board certification, fellowship training, experience with cervical procedures, approach to non-surgical care, and patient reviews.
✓ For any future spine surgery getting a second opinion is strongly encouraged by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Many insurance providers cover the cost of an additional consultation.
✓ Deuk Laser Disc Repair® is a patented, motion-preserving procedure developed by Dr. Ara Deukmedjian at Deuk Spine Institute. It is designed as an alternative to traditional fusion and artificial disc replacement surgery.
10 Best Neck Surgeons To Consider
1. Dr. Ara Deukmedjian
Location: Deuk Spine Institute, Spyglass Hill Rd, Melbourne, FL 32940
Experience: 25 years +
About Surgeon: Dr. Ara Deukmedjian ,MD is a board certified neuro-spine surgeon and founder of the Deuk Spine Institute. Known for being an innovator of minimally invasive laser and endoscopic procedures for the spine. Dr. Deuk has performed thousands of neck surgeries with a success rate of 99.6% and zero complications.
Dr. Deuk has developed his own procedure known as Deuk Laser Disc Repair®, which is an outpatient procedure used to treat patients with herniated discs in their spine. The procedure is done without fusion, hardware or bone removal. This procedure when compared to ACDF surgery and disc replacement, maintains the normal motion of your spine.
Education: Dr. Deukmedjian graduated from the University of Southern California School of Medicine and his fellowship training was NIH supported. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons.
Surgery types:
- Deuk Laser Disc Repair®
- Cervical artificial disc replacement
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
- Cervical laminectomy & foraminotomy
2. Dr. K. Daniel Riew, MD
Location: Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian Och Spine Hospital, New York, NY
Experience: 30 Years +
About the surgeon: One of only two or three spinal surgeons in the whole world who limits his work exclusively to the neck spine, is Dr. K. Daniel Riew. Dr. Riew operates on the neck region 250 to 300 times annually and he has conducted in excess of 6,000 cervical surgeries through his professional career, according to his Columbia Orthopedic Surgery profile.
Dr. Riew acts as a Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia University and he is jointly appointed at Weill Cornell Medicine in the field of Neurological Surgery. Past president of the Cervical Spine Research Society and author of over 300 peer-reviewed articles, in 2025, Newsweek recognized Dr. Riew as one of America’s Leading Doctors.
Dr. Riew has a particular clinical interest in cervical artificial disc replacement, laminoplasty, and complex revision surgery.
Cervical procedures performed:
- Cervical artificial disc replacement
- Anterior and posterior cervical fusion
- Cervical laminoplasty
- Complex cervical deformity correction
3. Dr. Isador Lieberman, MD
Location: 6020 W Parker Road, Suite 200, Plano, TX 75093
Experience: 30 Years +
About the surgeon: He serves as the Director of the Scoliosis and Spine Tumor Program at Texas Back Institute. And has held the role of President of Texas Back Institute from 2018. Dr. Lieberman is recognized for his work in advancing robotic-assisted spine surgery. And his minimally invasive techniques in cervical spine procedures.
Dr. Lieberman holds more than 35 U.S. patents related to spinal implants and devices. He has also wrote over 140 peer-reviewed publications that have contributing to the field of spine surgery. His work has been consistently recognized by Texas Super Doctors. Receiving yearly honors from 2012 to 2025.
Cervical procedures performed:
- Robotic assisted cervical fusion
- Minimally invasive cervical decompression
- Cervical deformity reconstruction
- Cervical tumor resection
4. Jason Lowenstein, MD
Location: Advanced Spine Center, 160 E Hanover Ave, Suite 201, Morristown, NJ
Experience: 20 Years +
About Surgeon: Dr. Jason Lowenstein is a board certified, fellowship trained adult and pediatric spine surgeon. Dr. Lowenstein is the Medical Director. And Chief of Scoliosis and Spinal Deformity at Morristown Medical Center and Atlantic Health System. Dr. Lowenstein is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
Also Dr. Lowenstein received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania. And went to University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine for medical school. And completed his residency training at New York-Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center. And obtained his fellowship at Emory Spine Center. Dr. Lowenstein was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. And also a New Jersey Monthly Top Doctor.
Dr. Lowenstein has countless experience in managing patients with cervical disc herniation. And cervical stenosis. Dr. Lowenstein uses cervical artificial disc replacement and posterior cervical laminoplasty to retain motion when appropriate.
Cervical procedures performed:
- Cervical artificial disc replacement
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
- Posterior cervical laminoplasty
- Complex cervical revision surgery
5. Dr. John B. Emans
Location: Boston Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts
Experience: 25 Years +
About the Surgeon: Dr. John B. Emans is a pediatric orthopedic spine surgeon and serves as the Emeritus Director of the Division of Spine Surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Emans got his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1966. And his doctorate of medicine from Harvard Medical School in 1970. Dr. John B. Emans is a professor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Emans has experience in complex pediatric cervical spine problems. Ranging from congenital abnormalities of the cervical spine, early-onset spinal deformities, and pediatric cervical trauma.
Cervical procedures performed:
- Pediatric cervical fusion
- Cervical deformity correction
- Congenital cervical anomaly repair
- Cervical trauma reconstruction
6. Stephen Banco, MD
Location: Keystone Spine and Pain Management Center, 2607 Keiser Boulevard, Suite 200, Wyomissing, PA
Experience: 25 Years +
About the Surgeon: Dr. Stephen Banco is an orthopedic spinal surgeon who is board certified and fellowship trained. He is the President of Keystone Spine and Pain Management Center. He obtained his M.D. degree from Jefferson Medical College. Dr. Banco pursued residency training from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Rothman Orthopaedic Institute. He undertook his spinal surgery fellowship at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston.
In September 2023, Dr. Banco was the first surgeon to perform a spine surgery for humans using the FDA cleared Waypoint GPS smart pedicle probe. Dr. Banco is a member of the editorial review board of the journal Clinical Spine Surgery. And also has written two chapters in The Spine textbook.
Cervical procedures performed:
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
- Cervical decompression
- Cervical radiculopathy treatment
- Cervical spinal stenosis surgery
7. Dr. Todd J. Albert, MD
Location: Hospital for Special Surgery, 541 East 71th Street, New York, NY
Experience: 30 Years +
About the Surgeon: Dr. Todd Albert is an orthopedic spine surgeon who specializes in spine disorders. Who works at the Hospital for Special Surgery that is top-ranked in orthopedics in America as reported by the U.S. News & World Report.
Also Dr. Albert has formerly been the Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director at HSS. He was the former president of Cervical Spine Research Society.
Dr. Albert is well known around the world for his contribution to cervical spine surgery. Especially cervical disc arthroplasty and multilevel cervical reconstruction. Dr. Albert has published over 400 peer reviewed papers and several textbooks on cervical spine conditions
Cervical procedures performed:
- Cervical artificial disc replacement
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion
- Posterior cervical fusion
- Cervical deformity correction
8. Dr. Brian P. Hasley, MD
Location: Children’s Nebraska, 8200 Dodge St, Omaha, NE
Experience: 25 Years +
About the surgeon: Brian Hasley, MD is a board certified orthopedic surgeon. And the Chief of Division of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery at Children’s Nebraska. Dr. Hasley is the Barbara W. and Ronald W. Schaefer Endowed Chair in Pediatric Orthopedics. And the Medical Director of the Pediatric Spine Deformity Program at Children’s Nebraska.
Dr. Hasley did his orthopedic residency training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. And was a fellow twice in pediatric orthopedics at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in association with the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Hasley’s areas of expertise include pediatric cervical spine deformities, scoliosis and neuromuscular spine disorders.
Cervical procedures performed:
- Pediatric cervical fusion
- Cervical deformity correction
- Neuromuscular spinal reconstruction
- Congenital cervical anomaly treatment
9. Dr. Lawrence F. Borges, MD
Location: Massachusetts General Hospital, 15 Parkman Street, Boston, MA
Experience: 45 Years +
About the surgeon: Lawrence F. Borges, M.D., is an internationally renowned, board certified neurosurgeon. And Director of the Neurosurgical Spine Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Borges obtained his doctorate in medicine from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1977. And underwent his residency training in neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Dr. Borges has authored numerous studies. His research papers on spinal cord tumors, cervical stenosis, and complex cervical decompression. Dr. Borges is accepting new patients in 2026.
Cervical procedures performed:
- Cervical spinal cord tumor resection
- Cervical decompression for stenosis
- Cervical fusion
- Complex cervical reconstruction
10. Maahir Haque, M.D.
Location: Celebration Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Institute, 2954 Mallory Cir Ste 101, Celebration, FL
Experience: 18 Years +
About surgeon: Dr. Maahir Haque is a board certified orthopedic surgeon fellowship trained in spinal surgery. Dr. Haque completed his fellowship training in spine surgery at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and also has a post of Assistant Professor at the College of Medicine of University of Central Florida.
Dr. Haque is currently the Chairman of Spine Section of Florida Orthopedic Society and also has been appointed recently to the Spine Content Committee of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. The areas of expertise of Dr. Haque include minimally invasive surgery of cervical spine like cervical endoscopic discectomy and cervical artificial disc replacement.
Cervical procedures performed:
- Cervical artificial disc replacement
- Endoscopic cervical discectomy
- Minimally invasive cervical fusion
- Cervical decompression
What to Consider When Choosing a Surgeon
Board certification is an indicator of thorough testing, continuing education, and peer review process. Check board certification via American Board of Orthopedic Surgery or American Board of Neurological Surgery. Non board certified surgeons have a statistically higher incidence of complications.
Spine Surgery Fellowship Training
A spine surgery fellowship indicates that the spine surgeon has at least one extra year of training specializing in the field after his/her residency program. Specialization includes training in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine region. Fellowship trained spine surgeons do a larger number of spine surgeries with lower revision rates than orthopedic and neurological surgeons.
Volume of Surgeries and Cervical Spine Specific Procedures
The volume of surgeries has a direct influence on results. A surgeon who conducts 200 or more surgeries yearly is much less likely to have complications or need revisions compared to those who conduct surgeries rarely.
Emphasis on the Non-surgical treatment
Reputable cervical spine surgeons try all conservative options before recommending surgery. Evidence-based non-surgical treatments include:
- Physical therapy and exercises of the cervical spine region
- Cervical epidural steroid injection
- Facet block injections
- Transforaminal nerve root injections
- Acupuncture and structured stretching routines
In case your doctor suggests surgery on your first visit without considering these two options, you should seek another opinion.
Independent Patient Reviews
Sites like Healthgrades, Vitals, and Castle Connolly Top Doctors provide independent reviews that compile verified patient experiences. Reviews from the American Medical Association and specialist boards are the least biased.
The Importance of Seeking Another Opinion
According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, one should seek another opinion in case of non-emergency spine surgery. The vast majority of insurance policies cover another opinion on a spine surgery, including Medicare. Seeking another opinion will verify the diagnosis, find a non-invasive approach, or determine whether the patient is suitable for minimally invasive procedures such as artificial disc replacement and Deuk Laser Disc Repair.
Treat your cervical disc without fusion or hardware.
Before you agree to a neck fusion or an artificial disc, send your MRI for a free review by Dr. Deukmedjian and learn whether an outpatient, motion-preserving option like Deuk Laser Disc Repair® could treat your cervical herniated disc — no fusion, no hardware, no bone removal, and your neck’s natural motion preserved.
- 99.6%
- Average pain relief
- 0.01%
- Complication rate
- 72hrs
- Back to normal activity
Sources
View Sources
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Neck Pain. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/neck-pain North American Spine Society. Clinical Guidelines. https://www.spine.org/
- North American Spine Society. Clinical Guidelines. https://www.spine.org/
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. https://www.abos.org/
- American Board of Neurological Surgery. https://abns.org/
- The Spine Journal. Surgeon Volume and Outcomes in Cervical Spine Surgery (2020). https://www.thespinejournalonline.com/
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Getting a Second Opinion Before Surgery. https://www.ahrq.gov/
- Deuk Spine Institute. Dr. Ara J. Deukmedjian Profile and Outcomes Data. https://deukspine.com/physician/dr-deuk/
- Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine. Adjacent Segment Disease Following Cervical Fusion (2019). https://thejns.org/spine/
- Deuk Spine Institute. Deuk Laser Disc Repair Overview. https://deukspine.com/treatment-options/deuk-laser-disc-repair/
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surgical Site Infection Guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/surgical-site-infection/index.html
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Cervical Radiculopathy. https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/cervical-radiculopathy/
- Deuk Spine Institute. Insurance Information. https://deukspine.com/insurance/
- Columbia Orthopedic Surgery. Daniel D. Riew, MD. https://www.columbiaortho.org/profile/daniel-d-riew-md
- Weill Cornell Medicine Neurological Surgery. K. Daniel Riew, MD, Named America’s Leading Doctor 2025. https://neurosurgery.weillcornell.org/faculty/k-daniel-riew-md
- Super Doctors. Isador H. Lieberman Recognitions 2012 through 2025. https://www.superdoctors.com/texas/doctor/Isador-H-Lieberman/aaf585ea-2cb3-4faa-95f9-39a7c7aa15e8.html
- The Advanced Spine Center. Dr. Jason E. Lowenstein. https://theadvancedspinecenter.com/our-practice/our-team/dr-jason-lowenstein/
- Boston Children’s Answers. Generations of Excellence in Surgical Care: Dr. Emans and Dr. Hogue (2024). https://answers.childrenshospital.org/emans-hogue-spine-surgeons/
- Newswire. Waypoint GPS Assists Dr. Stephen Banco in First-in-Man Spine Surgery (September 2023). https://www.newswire.com/news/milestone-achievement-waypoint-gps-assists-dr-stephen-banco-in-22122079
- Hospital for Special Surgery. Todd J. Albert, MD. https://www.hss.edu/physicians_albert-todd.asp
- University of Nebraska Medical Center. Brian P. Hasley, MD. https://www.unmc.edu/orthosurgery/faculty/hasley.html
- Mass General Brigham. Lawrence F. Borges, MD. https://doctors.massgeneralbrigham.org/provider/lawrence-francis-borges/3001485
- Spine Group Orlando. Maahir Haque, MD Bio and AAOS Spine Content Committee Appointment. https://spinegrouporlando.com/about_us/about_us.html
- JAMA Surgery. Board Certification and Surgical Complication Rates (2019). https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery
- Healthgrades. https://www.healthgrades.com/
- Vitals. https://www.vitals.com/
- Castle Connolly Top Doctors. https://www.castleconnolly.com/
