10 Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeons in 2024 for Back & Neck Pain
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Chronic back and neck pain can be a debilitating experience, often leading patients down a road filled with treatments that may not provide the desired relief. In such scenarios, the expertise of a skilled spine surgeon becomes invaluable. This is especially true for those considering minimally invasive spine surgery, a field that has seen remarkable advancements.
To help you find the best minimally invasive spine surgeon, we’ve compiled this article covering the best minimally invasive spine surgeon and what you should consider when choosing a spine surgeon.
What is minimally invasive spine surgery?
In minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery, surgeons make one or more small incisions, typically about ½ inch each, through which they insert specialized instruments, such as a tubular retractor.
This method creates a smaller operative field, causing less damage to muscles and soft tissues compared to traditional open spine surgery.
Key benefits of minimally invasive surgery
Minimally invasive spine surgery offers several key benefits compared to traditional surgical methods; these benefits include:
Faster Recovery
Minimally invasive spine surgery causes minimal to no tissue trauma compared to traditional methods; patients typically have shorter hospital stays and can return to regular activities quickly.
Minimally Invasive Approach
The surgery is performed through a very small incision. This approach significantly reduces tissue damage, resulting in less pain and scarring for the patient.
Lower Risk of Infection
A smaller incision size also lowers the risk of infection. Additionally, many MIS procedures do not require any implants or foreign objects to be placed in the body, further reducing the risk of infection.
Outpatient Surgery
Most patients undergoing minimally invasive spinal surgery are discharged in less than 24 hours after the procedure.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeons
Here are some of the best minimally invasive spine surgeons in the United States:
1. Dr. Ara Deukmedjian
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 (or just Dr. Deuk to patients and colleagues) is a board-certified, fellowship-trained neurospine surgeon with expertise in minimally invasive, laser, and endoscopic back, neck, and thoracic pain treatment. Dr. Deuk is a pioneer in his field, currently serving as the CEO and Medical Director at Deuk Spine Institute.
Dr. Deuk developed his own revolutionary laser procedure called Deuk Laser Disc Repair. Deuk Laser Disc Repair is a minimally invasive spinal surgery that is a modern alternative to spinal fusion surgery and artificial discs. It has a higher success rate than traditional spinal surgery at 99.6%, with fewer complications, a quicker recovery period, and does not weaken the spine.
Dr. Deuk has also personally performed over 5,000 cervical decompressive discectomies and treated over 2,000 herniated or degenerated lumbar discs.
Dr. Deuk is a member of the Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), Brevard County Medical Society (President, Board of Governors), and Surgery Department Chair, Parrish Medical Center, and has also been awarded the ‘Patients Choice Award’ for consecutive years.
Surgery types
- Deuk Laser Disc Repair
- Spinal Fusion
- Artificial discs
- Laminectomy/Foraminotomy
- Spinal degenerative deformity correction
2. Ehsan Saadat, MD
Location: 444 S. San Vicente Blvd, Suite 901, Los Angeles, CA 90048
About the surgeon:
Dr. Ehsan Saadat is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon, and he trained at Harvard and Emory, based in Los Angeles. He serves as an Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
His expertise includes disk replacement, motion-preserving surgery, minimally-invasive microscopic decompression of the cervical and lumbar spine, minimally invasive spinal fusions (XLIF and ALIF), and complex revision spine surgery. Additionally, he is the co-director of spine surgery at the Precision Ambulatory Surgery Center in Beverly Hills, leading a team in providing advanced spine care in an outpatient setting.
Dr. Saadat finished his fellowship in spine surgery at Emory Orthopedic and Spine Center, Atlanta, and his orthopedic surgery residency at Harvard University. He leads clinical surgeries at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Surgery types
- Spinal fusion
- Lower back pain
- Rotator cuff injury
- Disorders of the thoracic spine
3. Neil Badlani, MD, MBA
Location: 950 Campbell Road, Houston, TX 77024
About the surgeon:
Dr. Neil Badlani is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in minimally invasive spine surgery and motion-sparing techniques. He has a conservative approach to treating the spine, focusing on non-operative treatments first.
Dr. Badlani graduated summa cum laude at George Washington University and went on to complete his fellowship in adult and pediatric spine surgery at the University of California, and residency in orthopedic surgery from the University of California.
Surgery types
- Laser spine surgery
- Posterior lumbar fusion
- Lumbar laminectomy
- Cervical disc replacement
4. Isador Lieberman, MD, MBA, FRCSC
Location: 5575 Frisco Square Blvd., Suite 400, Frisco, TX 75034, United States
About the surgeon:
Isador Lieberman is a spinal and orthopedic surgeon specializing in scoliosis and spine tumors. His clinical interests include adult scoliosis, deformity reconstruction, and minimally invasive spinal surgery.
He finished medical school and residency at the University of Toronto and completed his fellowship in spine surgery and trauma surgery at the Toronto Hospital, Canada, and Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham.
Surgery types
- Vertebral compression fractures
- Deformity reconstruction
- Scoliosis
- Spinal tumors
5. Sean McCance, MD
Location: 1155 Park Ave e, New York, NY 10128, USA
About the surgeon:
Dr. Sean McCance is the director of Spine Associates and co-director of spine surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York. He has a conservative approach to treatment, focusing on non-surgical options.
Dr McCance completed his residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and his fellowship in spine surgery at the Twin Cities Spine Center, Minneapolis. His research interests lie in scoliosis and orthopedics.
Surgery types
- Herniated disc
- Laminectomy
- Spinal fusion
- Spinal stenosis
6. Christopher Bono, MD
Location: Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care, Suite 3A, Boston, MA 02114
About the surgeon:
Christopher Bono, MD, is a Professor at Harvard Medical School. He is an adult spine surgeon with expertise in the management of lumbar and cervical degenerative disorders.
Dr. Bono completed his medical degree at the State University of New York, went on to do his orthopedic residency at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and completed a fellowship in spine surgery at the University of California.
Surgery types
- Spinal stenosis
- Cervical myelopathy
- Lumbar disc herniations
- Cervical spinal stenosis
7. Daniel Riew, MD
Location: 240 East 59th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10022
About the surgeon:
Daniel Riew, MD is an orthopedic surgeon with expertise limited to the cervical spine. He performs minimally invasive procedures, deformity corrections, and complex revision surgeries.
After graduating from Harvard College, he finished a residency in Orthopedics at George Washington University and Internal Medicine at Cornell Medical Center and completed his fellowship training under Dr. Henry Bohlman.
Surgery types
- Cervical discectomy
- Congenital kyphosis
- Cervical spine surgery
- Osteotomy
8. Dr. Howard Sharf
Location: 1601 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA
About the surgeon:
Dr. Howard Sharf specializes in orthopedic conditions of the neck and spine. He diagnoses and treats spinal disorders, back pain, and deformities.
He obtained a BS in Biology from Pennsylvania State University and received his medical degree at Hahnemann Medical College Philadelphia. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Lutheran Hospital of Indiana and his fellowship at Florida Spine Institute.
Surgery types
- Artificial disc replacement
- Axial fusion
- Microdiscectomy
- Endoscopic discectomy
9. Mark G. Burnett, MD
Location: 5625 Eiger Rd Austin TX,78735
About the surgeon:
Mark G. Burnett, MD, is a neurological surgeon. He completed his neurosurgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and a complex spinal surgery fellowship at the Barrow Neurological Institute. His clinical interests include spinal sports medicine, minimally invasive spine surgery, and neuro-oncology.
He has published more than 30 peer-reviewed journals and received research grants for his work in Neurophysiology and non-invasive blood flow monitors from the National Institutes of Health.
Surgery types
- Spinal stenosis
- Herniated discs
- Spinal tumors
- Brain tumors
10. Erica F. Bisson, MD, MPH
Location: 175 N Medical Dr, Salt Lake City, UT
About the surgeon:
Dr. Erica Bisson is a Professor of Neurosurgery and Orthopaedics with a medical degree from Tufts University and neurosurgical training at the University of Vermont. She completed a complex spinal disorders fellowship at the University of Utah.
Dr. Bisson has worked in Massachusetts and Utah, focusing on neurosurgery and spine surgery. She is a fellow of the American Board of Neurological Surgeons and has over 100 peer-reviewed publications. Her roles include serving on the Journal of Neurosurgery’s Editorial Board and as Scientific Program Chair for the AANS/CNS Joint Section on Spine and Peripheral Nerves.
Surgery types
- Spinal fusion
- Spine deformity surgery
- Spine arthroplasty
- Spine reconstruction
Things to Consider When Selecting Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeons
When selecting a minimally invasive spine surgeon, there are several key factors to consider:
Qualifications and specialized training
Ensure the surgeon is board-certified and has specialized training in minimally invasive spine surgery. Look for surgeons affiliated with reputable institutions and those who have completed fellowships in spine surgery. They should be well-versed in the latest surgical techniques and have a track record of successful surgeries.
Surgical technologies and tools used
When selecting a minimally invasive spine surgeon, it’s crucial to consider the types of surgical technologies and tools they use, as these can significantly impact the outcome of the surgery.
Revolutionary procedures such as Deuk Laser Disc Repair, which was developed by Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, a renowned neuro-spine surgeon and a true pioneer in minimally invasive, laser, and endoscopic back and neck pain treatment, can cure chronic back and neck pain and do not compromise or weaken the health and integrity of the spine.
Postoperative care and recovery expectations for spine surgery patients
Understanding the postoperative care and recovery process is crucial. Minimally invasive surgery may offer benefits such as smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery, but it’s important to have realistic expectations.
Discuss with the surgeon the typical recovery timeline, postoperative care requirements, and any potential complications or risks associated with the surgery.
Spine surgeon reviews
Patient reviews can provide insights into the surgeon’s expertise, bedside manner, and success rates. Look for reviews from reliable sources and pay attention to comments about patient care, recovery, and satisfaction with the results. It’s also valuable to consider any testimonials or case studies provided by the surgeon or their practice.
More about Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeons
Other information you should know about minimally invasive spine surgeries:
What is the success rate of minimally invasive spine surgery?
Minimally invasive spine surgery has a high success rate of about 99.6%. This procedure has fewer complications than traditional open spine surgery, less post-operative pain, and a shorter recovery time. Most patients can walk and leave the hospital immediately after their operation.
Is there an age limit for spine surgery?
Since young and older people can suffer from spine issues, there is no age limit for spine surgery. However, experienced surgeons will consider your age when deciding whether you’re a suitable candidate for surgery.
Is back surgery high-risk surgery?
Back surgery is a major surgery with some risks. There are high-level risks like injury of the spinal cord to more common complications like infections, reactions to anesthesia or other drugs, and bleeding. However, most patients who get back surgery have minimal to zero complications.
Do you ever fully recover from back surgery?
Yes, but this depends on both the procedure and the surgeon who carried it out. With Deuk Laser Disc repair, You can be sure that you will fully recover from back surgery.
Who is the best minimally invasive spine surgeon in the United States?
Feeling anxious when searching for a surgeon to help with your back and neck pain is natural. With minimally invasive surgery especially, choosing a surgeon with years of experience and a high success rate is important.
Dr. Deuk has performed thousands of minimally invasive spine surgeries with a 99.6% success rate. He is a patient-focused surgeon and a pioneer in developing innovative surgery techniques that offer patients speedy recovery and no complications.
Schedule a Consultation with the Best Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon
Choosing the right surgeon for minimally invasive spine surgery is crucial, as it requires a unique blend of precision, skill, and experience. This advanced surgical approach, designed to minimize tissue damage and speed recovery, demands a surgeon who is not only highly trained but also extensively experienced in the latest techniques and technologies.
If you’re suffering from chronic back and neck pain and are looking for the best minimally invasive spine surgeon, you should consider Dr. Ara Deukmedjian. He’s the founder of Deuk Spine Institute, is a renowned neuro-spine surgeon, and a true pioneer in minimally invasive, laser, and endoscopic back, neck, and thoracic pain treatment.
He has performed thousands of procedures and achieved a 99.6% success rate in the elimination of pain.
It’s time to finally cure–not just treat–your back or neck pain.
