If you’re suffering from chronic back or neck pain, the path to relief can often be filled with uncertainty. The key lies in finding a surgeon who can not only thoroughly evaluate your condition but also guide you toward the most effective treatment options.
For those exploring the latest in minimally invasive techniques, specifically endoscopic spine surgery, we've compiled a list of the top endoscopic spine surgeons for this year, detailing their qualifications, expertise, and unique approaches to spinal care.
Endoscopic Spine Surgery (ESS) represents a significant advancement in minimally invasive spine surgery. ESS was developed to offer patients a quicker recovery period while minimizing the recurring pain often associated with traditional spine surgery.
At the core of ESS is the use of micro-sized incisions (usually less than 1 inch). Through these small incisions, a surgeon inserts a small tubular system and an endoscope: a 7mm tube equipped with a high-resolution camera lens and light source. This endoscope is crucial as it allows the surgeon to see inside the spine with great clarity.
During the procedure, the surgeon makes a minimal 8mm incision and gently separates the muscles to create a pathway for the endoscope to reach the spine. The camera's images are then projected onto a monitor, giving the surgeon a detailed view of the anatomy and any issues that need addressing.
Through this small opening, instruments are inserted to remove bone spurs, herniated discs, or thickened ligaments, as required. After the surgery, the instruments are withdrawn, and the incision is closed with sutures.
Here is a list of the best endoscopic surgeons 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 renowned neurosurgeon and a true pioneer in minimally invasive, laser, and endoscopic back, neck, and thoracic pain treatment. Dr. Ara Deukmedjian developed his laser procedure called Deuk Laser Disc Repair. Deuk Laser Disk Repair is the most advanced laser spine surgery in the world.
This revolutionary procedure is an alternative to dangerous invasive surgeries like total disc replacement or spinal fusion. In 15 years, Dr. Deuk has treated over 2000 patients with this procedure with a 99.6% success rate and no complications.
Dr. Deuk is a board-certified and fellowship-trained neurospine surgeon with over 20 years of expertise in minimally invasive, laser, and endoscopic back and neck pain treatment. He has personally performed over 5,000 cervical decompressive discectomies and treated over 2,000 herniated or degenerated lumbar discs.
He obtained his medical degree at the University of Southern California School of Medicine, graduating with the highest honors. He completed his fellowship funded as a principal investigator by the National Institutes of Health. He currently serves as the CEO and Medical Director at Deuk Spine Institute.
On review sites like Vitals.com, patients describe Dr. Deuk as “professional,” “compassionate,” and “amazing.”
Surgery types
If you have a recent Spine MRI or CT-Scan, Deuk Spine Institute and our team of doctors will review it and provide a customized plan on how to eliminate your pain and get you started on the path to safe and professional endoscopic spine surgery.
Location: 5671 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd Ste 900, Atlanta, GA 30342, United States
About the surgeon:
Dr. Paul Jeffords is an orthopedic spine surgeon and expert in adult spinal disorders. He specializes in minimally invasive procedures, including laser and endoscopic spine surgery.
He completed his fellowship at Texas Back Institute and his residency at Emory University, Atlanta. Dr. Jeffords is a member of Resurgens Orthopedics, Georgia, and serves as an advisory consultant to medical device and biotechnology companies.
Surgery types
Location: 1635 E Myrtle Ave Ste 400 Phoenix, AZ 85020
About the surgeon:
Dr. Nima Salari is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in non-operative and operative treatment of pathological spine issues. He is known for using endoscopic spine surgery and cervical artificial disc replacement as an alternative to spine fusion.
Dr. Salari completed his residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital and his fellowship at Stanford University. He has published numerous articles on minimally invasive surgery and teaches image-guided surgery and laser endoscopic techniques.
Surgery types
Location: 4851 Tamiami Trail N, STE 200, Naples, FL 34103
About the surgeon:
Dr. Tony Mork is an endoscopic laser spine surgeon with expertise in assisting patients with prior failed back surgeries and fusions.
Dr. Mork completed his residency at Martin Luther King Hospital. He co-founded Microspine and is an instructor for an endoscopic spine equipment producer. He has co-published 11 peer-reviewed articles on endoscopic Spine surgery techniques,
Surgery types
Location: Johns Hopkins Medicine - Howard County, 10700 Charter Drive, Suite 205, Columbia
About the surgeon:
Sang Hun Lee, MD, is a spine surgeon with expertise in spine tumors and complex cervical spine surgery. He performs endoscopic spine surgeries for lumbar and cervical disc herniation or spinal stenosis.
Dr. Lee completed his medical degree at Kyunghee University and went on to do a residency in orthopedic surgery and two fellowships in spinal surgery.
Surgery types
Location: 7811 Montrose Road, Suite 340, Potomac, MD 20854
About the surgeon:
Dr. Usman Zahir is an endoscopic spine specialist and orthopedic spine surgeon. His clinical interests lie in using minimally invasive endoscopic procedures for the treatment of lumbar disc herniations and spinal stenosis.
Dr. Zahir was an orthopedic spine fellow at the University of Maryland Medical Center and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma.
Surgery types
Location: 12222 N. Central Expressway, Pavilion II, Suite 310 Dallas, TX 75243 United States
About the surgeon:
Peter Derman, MD is an endoscopic and minimally invasive spine surgeon at Texas Back Institute. He obtained his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine and an MBA from Wharton School of Business.
He completed his residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and went on to complete his spine surgery fellowship at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago.
Surgery types
Location: 1635 E Myrtle Ave Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ, 85020
About the surgeon:
Christopher A. Yeung, MD specializes in using least invasive surgery techniques for endoscopic spine surgery and cervical artificial disc replacement.
Dr. Yeung completed his residency at the University of Southern California School of Medicine and his first fellowship at the USC Center for Orthopedic Spine Surgery.
Surgery types
Location: 5454 Wisconsin Ave, 1000, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815
About the surgeon:
Dr. Tushar Ch. Patel is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with a focus on spinal surgery, particularly in the cervical spine (neck) area, and has a keen interest in minimally invasive surgery and disc replacement.
He served as the Chief of Spine Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine until 2000, followed by practicing in Northern Virginia until 2017. Dr. Patel is actively involved in research, particularly in tissue engineering, bone growth factors, and new techniques in spinal surgery, leading to numerous peer-reviewed publications and patents.
Surgery types
Location: Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center (now called Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center)
About the surgeon:
Nicholas Theodore, M.D., is the director of the Johns Hopkins Neurosurgical Spine Center and a recognized expert in brain and spinal cord injury, minimally invasive spine surgeries, and robotics. He earned his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine and completed a neurosurgery residency and spinal surgery fellowship at Barrow Neurological Institute.
Dr. Theodore has authored numerous publications and holds several patents. He completed additional residencies at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. He is board certified in Neurological Surgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgery since 2004.
Surgery types
Endoscopic Spine Surgery offers several key benefits over traditional methods:
The surgery is performed using a small incision. This means less tissue damage, which further leads to less postoperative pain and scarring, enhancing patient comfort and cosmetic outcomes.
The small incisions reduce the risk of infection. Also, the procedure does not require implants or foreign objects in the body, further reducing infection risks.
Unlike traditional surgeries that often cause tissue trauma, ESS has minimal to no tissue damage. This not only shortens your hospital stay but also allows you to resume daily activities much quicker.
Choosing the right endoscopic spine surgeon is crucial for successful surgery and recovery. Here’s what to consider in your search:
Experience is vital. Look for a surgeon with a strong track record in endoscopic spine surgery. This ensures they have honed their skills in this specific procedure. Check their history for the number of surgeries performed, success rates, and any specialized training or fellowships in endoscopic procedures.
A board-certified surgeon has demonstrated dedication to their field, meeting rigorous standards. Certification by a recognized board, like the American Board of Spine Surgery, confirms that the surgeon has received the necessary training and passed comprehensive exams, offering an extra layer of trust and credibility.
The surgeon-patient relationship is key. You should feel comfortable discussing your concerns and confident in their responses. A good surgeon should provide clear, understandable explanations about your condition, the proposed surgery, and the recovery process.
Patient reviews can offer insights into a surgeon’s competence, bedside manner, and overall patient experience. Look beyond the clinic's website; check independent review sites, forums, and possibly even reach out to past patients for first-hand accounts.
Discuss the specifics of the surgical approach. An ideal surgeon would use the latest technology and techniques to minimize tissue damage, reduce pain, and speed up recovery. Ask about their experience with specific endoscopic techniques relevant to your condition.
A second opinion can offer new insights or confirm the initial recommendation, providing you with peace of mind. Don’t hesitate to consult another specialist if you have doubts or questions.
Here is additional information on endoscopic spine surgery:
Treating spinal disorders with endoscopic spine surgery is relatively new in the US. The procedure requires a surgeon with adequate training and years of experience in the field. If you want to treat chronic back and neck pain with ESS, you should book an appointment with Dr. Ara Deukmedjian.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, also known as Dr Deuk to his patients, is a renowned neuro-spine surgeon and a true pioneer in minimally invasive, laser, and endoscopic back, neck, and thoracic pain treatment.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian developed his laser procedure called Deuk Laser Disc Repair. Deuk Laser Disk Repair is the most advanced laser spine surgery in the world. He has treated over 2,000 herniated or degenerated lumbar discs, performed over 5,000 cervical decompressive discectomies, and performed more than 2,000 laser spine surgeries to date with no complications.
Endoscopic spine surgery has a high success rate. Patients typically report better mobility and less pain after surgery. However, just like any other surgery, there could be complications like nerve damage, bleeding, and infection. This is why it is important to choose a surgeon who has both the experience and the qualifications.
If you’re considering endoscopic spine surgery, you must discuss possible complications with your surgeon. There is a small risk of infection, bleeding, and nerve damage, although lower than other types of surgery. Other side effects are pain, bruising, swelling, and temporary numbness.
Endoscopic spine surgery requires smaller incisions than minimally invasive spine surgery. The difference in incision size means endoscopic spine surgery patients have a shorter recovery period.
The payment for this treatment varies. Endoscopic spine surgery requires special medical equipment and experienced doctors. Your bill would include pre and post-operative care, hospital stay, and surgery costs like anesthesia. However, you can cover some of the cost with insurance. Most surgeons in the US accept various insurance plans.
Endoscopic spine surgery requires a unique combination of training and skill, which usually takes time to acquire.
If you’re suffering from chronic back and neck pain and looking for the best endoscopic spine surgeon, contact us at Deuk Spine Institute today. Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, 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 treated over 2000 patients with a 99.6% success rate and no complications.
With Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, you can be assured that you’re in safe hands. 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.
