Spine Surgery
Expertise in minimally invasive spine surgery
Contact Us
Leading-Edge Treatments for Spine Care
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons treat a wide range of spine disorders with the latest diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. We use minimally invasive spine surgery whenever possible.
We team up with experts in the Spine Center to provide multidisciplinary, well-coordinated care. The Spine Center has earned designation as a Blue Distinction Center by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. This shows our expertise and our ongoing commitment to the highest levels of quality and safety.
Conditions We Treat
We provide surgical treatment for these and all other spine conditions from the base of the skull (cervical spine) to the pelvic (lumbar spine).
- Cervical myelopathy
- Cervical stenosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Lumbar stenosis
- Spinal trauma
- Spondylolisthesis
Services We Offer
Spine Center surgeons frequently perform these procedures:
- Discectomy
- Laminectomy
- Laminoplasty
- Minimally invasive anterior fusions in the lumbar spine (direct lateral interbody fusion)
- Minimally invasive decompression
- Minimally invasive instrumented fusion
- Osteotomies for spinal deformity and to treat scoliosis
When appropriate, we also perform traditional, open surgery. Our surgeons are adept at revision surgeries if you’re having problems after surgery elsewhere.
Candidates for Spine Surgery
As a general rule, at BIDMC we use conservative methods to treat those who have back pain and neck pain. We use surgery sparingly and only in specific situations.
If you have back or neck problems with nerve compression, we may recommend surgery. We typically see good results in these situations.
Remember that this is a general guideline. Be sure to talk with your doctor about your specific issues. We can provide details on how surgery may or may not improve your symptoms.
If you and your doctor have decided to move forward with a surgical treatment, learn what to expect before and after surgery, and how to plan your care for a positive health outcome.
Understanding Spinal Surgery
As you and your doctor explore options to treat your condition, it is important to keep these things in mind.
Understand that two people may have the same surgery for different reasons — and with different results. Some people have lumbar fusion procedures for back pain, but still have pain after the surgery. Other people may have the same procedure to treat lumbar stenosis associated with neurologic deficits (such as numbness or weakness in the arms or legs, or balance issues). They are likely to feel much improved.
The same operation has produced different results. With this in mind, you cannot compare your condition or treatments to others.
Sometimes, people aren’t satisfied after spine surgery because they didn’t have realistic expectations about the procedure. They may feel better, but not to the extent they hoped.
Again, talking with your doctor about the specifics of your case can help ensure you get the treatment that is truly best for you. Remember that, if we recommend surgery, the decision is up to you as the patient.
Not all spine surgery is the same. At BIDMC, our spine surgeons have expertise in a range of innovative techniques, including minimally invasive spine surgery. Your doctor can provide details about whether this type of approach may work for you.
Some types of spine surgery (or other treatments) that you may hear or read about may not be as helpful as they sound.
Because back pain and related issues are so common, doctors continuously try different approaches. Some of these may not be as good as they sound. Also, they may not have the scientific evidence to show they are as effective or as superior as their promoters claim.
If you have any questions related to spine treatments not offered by BIDMC, please bring this up with your doctor. Together, we can discuss ways in which you — as a health care consumer — can find out more about whether a particular treatment is right for you.
Additional Services
Your spine care team works with providers throughout the BIDMC care network to ensure that you receive comprehensive care. Explore other providers who may be involved in your care.
