Augusta University Health's Spine Care Clinic offers diagnosis and treatment to both adult and pediatric patients with cervical, thoracic or lumbar spinal conditions. We offer nonsurgical and surgical treatments for common spinal ailments all the way up to complex spinal diseases and disorders.
Augusta University Health's Spine Care Clinic offers diagnosis and treatment to both adult and pediatric patients with cervical, thoracic or lumbar spinal conditions. We offer nonsurgical and surgical treatments for common spinal ailments all the way up to complex spinal diseases and disorders.
Why Choose Us
We specialize in diagnosing and treating injuries, diseases, and disorders of the neck and spine, offering,
- Multidisciplinary care: Our spinal care teams include orthopedists, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuroanesthesiologists.
- Highly skilled surgical teams: We have dedicated spine specialists with expertise in performing surgeries to treat problems such as, scoliosis, spine deformities, revision and reconstructive spine surgeries, and tumor removal.
- Advanced pain management surgery: We routinely perform morphine pump implantation and spinal cord stimulator implantation for chronic pain in patients who have failed to respond to non-surgical treatments.
- State-of-the-art technology: We use non-invasive Gamma Knife technology.
- Minimally-invasive spinal techniques: Providing patients less pain and a faster recovery after spinal surgery.
Academic Advantage
As an academic medical center focused on training the surgeons of tomorrow, we use a multidisciplinary approach to develop strong working relationships with other specialists. For example, we work closely with neuroanesthesiologists so that we can perform more sophisticated neurosurgical procedures of the neck and spine. We also collaborate clinical care and follow-up protocols with Augusta University’s Neuroendocrine Clinic for patients with neuroendocrine tumors.
Conditions We Treat
Our team is prepared to take care of any of your spinal needs, from nonsurgical treatments to minimally invasive procedures to major reconstructive surgeries, we see patients for:
- Back and neck pain
- Congenital defects
- Degenerative conditions of the neck and back
- Degenerative disc disease
- Fractures
- Herniated discs
- Myelopathy
- Pediatric and adult scoliosis
- Radiculopathy
- Spinal infections
- Spinal stenosis
- Spine tumors (metastatic and primary)
- Spondylosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Trauma
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
The spine services at Augusta University Health follow strict protocols, employing highly trained and experienced technicians who specialize in imaging, using state-of-the-art imaging equipment for:
- Clear, high quality CT scans
- MRIs for more accurate diagnoses.
These advanced diagnostics allow us to offer a second clinical opinion to any spinal condition and present viable solutions for your specific spinal injury or condition.
Treatments
Because of the complexity of the spine, you want a team with the experience to treat any type of problem you might have. There are many treatment options available to our patients.
Nonsurgical treatments
We provide non-invasive treatments to help relieve spine pain and discomfort. These options can also be a part of follow up care after a surgical procedure.
- Bracing, to provide support following an injury, prevent progression of scoliosis, or to help correct posture.
- Injections, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) can reduce swelling and pain. We also use analgesics to relieve pain.
- Physical Therapy at our rehabilitation center to help patients strengthen muscles, improve posture and increase flexibility,
- Occupational Therapy, to help patients return to their normal daily activities.
Surgical treatments
Sometimes the best course of action is surgery. In many cases we can consider minimally invasive spine surgery, if appropriate. If you have a more complex case, know you are getting the best surgical treatment from the area’s best spinal surgeons, who perform:
- Ablation, to remove tissue build up to help with pain.
- Morphine pump implantation, for acute pain management of cancer pain and pain of other origins.
- Peripheral nerve stimulator implantation, pulsed stimulation of the peripheral nerve, an emerging and promising treatment in the management of chronic headache syndromes.
- Radiosurgery, is targeted radiation to treat tumors and lesions of the spine. This is performed at our Gamma Knife Center.
- Spinal cord stimulator implantation, pulsed stimulation of the brain or spinal cord that can be used to help control chronic pain to avoid undergoing reoperation for failed spinal surgery.
- Spinal fusion, performed for back injury. Surgeons connect two or more bones of the vertebrae which stops movement between them.
- Spinal embolization, is when medications or other materials are passed through a catheter into a blood vessel to stop the flow of blood to a tumor or eliminate arteriovenous malformations (AVMs).
FAQs
5 of the Top Spine Centers in the US
- Cedars-Sinai. USNews Profile | Website. ...
- Emory University Hospital. USNews Profile | Website. ...
- UCSF Medical Center. USNews Profile | Website. ...
- Och Spine Hospital. USNews Profile | Website. ...
- Brigham and Women's Hospital. USNews Profile | Website.
Many years ago, neurosurgeons were primarily responsible for spine surgery, but in the past 20 to 25 years spine surgery has evolved so that both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons specialize in spine surgery, and for most of the typical spine operations both types of surgeons are equally well qualified.
What is a doctor who specializes in the spine called? ›
Neurosurgeon. (spine surgeon) MD. Neurosurgery is a medical specialty that focuses on diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment of disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Neurosurgeons provide surgical or nonsurgical care for neurological disease or injury.
Is Mayo Clinic good for spine? ›
People with a wide range of conditions affecting the spine and limbs find exactly the care they need at Mayo Clinic. The clinic's spine care experts take an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach to manage spine disorders.
Who is the best doctor to treat spinal stenosis? ›
Who Treats Spinal Stenosis?
- Family or primary care doctors.
- Neurologists, who treat disorders and diseases of the spine, brain, and nerves.
- Neurosurgeons, who perform surgery for disorders and diseases of spine, brain, and nerves.
- Orthopaedists, who treat and perform surgery for bone and joint diseases.
HSS is the world's leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, ranked No. 1 in orthopedics for 15 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report (2024-2025).
Is it better to see a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon? ›
While an orthopedic surgeon is a better choice if you need a new hip, knee, shoulder, or have a severely broken bone, anything related to the spine is best treated by a skilled neurosurgeon. If you have a back issue or severe back pain, seek out a neurosurgeon for their evaluation and diagnosis for proper treatment.
What is the most popular spine surgery? ›
Spinal decompression and fusion: It is the most common spine surgery performed in the U.S., and it's performed to take pressure off of “pinched” nerves and/or the spinal cord and to stabilize the spine.
Is spine surgery considered high risk surgery? ›
With any surgery, there is the risk of complications. When surgery is done near the spine and spinal cord, these complications (if they occur) can be very serious. Complications could involve subsequent pain and impairment and the need for additional surgery.
What is the best medicine for lower back pain? ›
Which Medicines Help With Low Back Pain?
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- NSAIDs (Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Motrin)
- Muscle Relaxants.
- Antidepressants.
- Opioids.
Orthopedics is a category of medicine that focuses on the musculoskeletal system. Spine specialists, of course, focus only on the diseases and issues associated with the spine. These physicians are trained to detect and treat conditions impacting or stemming from the spine through surgery or other means.
Does walking help spine health? ›
Walking is one of the best exercises for your entire body, and that's also true for your back. In fact, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons recommends walking as part of a recovery plan from back surgery. Walking: Strengthens the trunk, core, and lumbar muscles (all of which support your spine)
Which hospital is best for spinal surgery? ›
The Spinal Surgical Unit at RNOH includes one of the largest Spinal Deformity Services in Europe. Referrals to this service come from throughout the UK and internationally, and the unit has a world-renowned reputation for its pioneering work.
What not to do in spine pain? ›
Do not do activities that involve heavy lifting or twisting of your back for the first 6 weeks after the pain begins. Do not exercise in the days right after the pain begins. After 2 to 3 weeks, slowly begin to exercise again. A physical therapist can teach you which exercises are right for you.
Who is the top spinal surgeon in the world? ›
11 Best Spine Surgeons
- Dr. Ara Deukmedjian. Location: Deuk Spine Institute, Viera: 7955 Spyglass Hill Rd, Melbourne, FL 32940, ...
- Dr. Ehud Mendel. Location: ...
- Dr. Khalid M. Abbed. ...
- Dr. Afshin Aminian. Location: ...
- Dr. Christopher P. Ames. ...
- Dr. Erica Bisson. Location: ...
- Dr. Lawrence Borges. Location: ...
- Dr. John B. Emans.
United States: Pioneering Spinal Care
The United States stands at the forefront of spinal surgery, boasting some of the world's most advanced medical technologies and highly skilled surgeons.
What is the best hospital for spinal cord injury? ›
Best Pediatric SCI Hospitals
- BOSTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL - #1 in the nation; overall score 100.00/100.
- TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL - #2 in the nation; 94.6/100.
- CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA - #3 in the nation; 94.0/100.
- JOHN HOPKINS CHILDREN'S CENTER, Baltimore, MD- #5 in the nation, 93.4/100.
