Clinical Practice

Comprehensive spine neurosurgery built on judgment and trust

My practice spans the full spectrum of spine surgery — from common degenerative issues like stenosis and disc herniation to complex reconstruction, deformity correction, revision surgery, and spinal tumors. Every patient receives a careful, individualized evaluation.

Surgical Philosophy

Surgery should serve the patient, not the other way around

Not every spinal problem requires surgery. My role is to help each patient understand their condition clearly, explore all reasonable options, and make a decision that aligns with their life and goals.

When surgery is the right choice, I bring meticulous technique, current evidence, and careful planning to every case. When it isn't, I'll tell you — and help you find the best path forward.

What Patients Can Expect

A thorough evaluation with time for your questions

Clear, honest communication about diagnosis and options

Evidence-based recommendations tailored to you

Detailed surgical planning when indicated

Accessible follow-up care and guidance through recovery

Conditions Treated

Expertise across the full spectrum of spinal disorders

Cervical disc herniation and radiculopathy

Cervical myelopathy

Lumbar spinal stenosis

Degenerative spondylolisthesis

Lumbar disc herniation

Adult spinal deformity (scoliosis, kyphosis)

Spinal tumors (intradural and extradural)

Traumatic spinal injuries

Vertebral compression fractures

Thoracic disc herniation

Failed back surgery syndrome

Complex revision spine surgery

Syringomyelia and Chiari malformation

Tethered cord syndrome

Advanced Evaluation & Surgical Planning

Tailored approaches for complex or atypical cases

In selected patients, treatment may involve advanced imaging, individualized planning, or motion-preserving techniques. These are not appropriate for every situation, but they can be valuable when the anatomy, symptoms, and goals of treatment call for a more tailored approach.

Patient-Specific Rod Technology

Custom-contoured rods designed from preoperative imaging to match individual spinal anatomy, improving correction accuracy in complex deformity cases.

CT-SPECT in Selected Diagnostic Cases

Advanced hybrid imaging combining structural and functional data to identify pain generators in diagnostically challenging or multi-level disease.

Motion-Preserving Strategies

Cervical and lumbar disc replacement and hybrid approaches in appropriate candidates, preserving segmental motion and reducing adjacent-segment stress.

TOPS System in Carefully Selected Patients

Total posterior spine motion-preserving device for lumbar stenosis with spondylolisthesis, offering stabilization without fusion in selected cases.

Individualized Planning in Complex Reconstruction

3D modeling, patient-specific implants, and staged surgical strategies for revision, deformity, and multilevel pathology requiring a tailored approach.

Representative Clinical Scenarios

Not every case is straightforward — and that's the point

These are not success stories. They illustrate how specific problems were evaluated, why they were difficult, and why a particular treatment path made sense. Each scenario reflects the kind of reasoning that guides real clinical decisions.

Careful Case Selection

Older adult with multilevel stenosis and medical complexity

A patient in their late 70s with progressive neurogenic claudication, moderate cardiac risk, and three-level stenosis. The challenge wasn't whether surgery could help — it was whether this patient could tolerate the procedure that would actually address the problem.

Why it was difficult: Balancing adequate decompression against operative risk. A limited procedure might not relieve symptoms; an aggressive one might create new problems. The decision required honest conversation about trade-offs, not just imaging findings.

Advanced Imaging & Diagnosis

Persistent axial pain with equivocal MRI and prior surgery

A patient with continued low back pain after a prior fusion, MRI showing multi-level changes but no obvious surgical target. Standard imaging couldn't distinguish symptomatic pathology from age-related findings.

Why it was difficult: Operating on the wrong level would add hardware without helping. CT-SPECT was used to identify an active pain generator at a specific segment, turning an ambiguous case into one with a clear rationale for targeted intervention.

Complex Reconstruction

Progressive kyphotic deformity with failed prior instrumentation

A patient with worsening sagittal imbalance, broken rods from a prior construct, and adjacent segment breakdown. Standing upright required compensatory hip and knee flexion, and quality of life had deteriorated significantly.

Why it was difficult: Revision through a scarred surgical field, correcting rigid deformity, and extending the construct — all while preserving neurological function. Patient-specific rod technology and staged planning were used to manage risk across a multi-level reconstruction.

For Colleagues

CaseArkive

A private, image-first case library for clinicians. Save de-identified cases with a small set of images and short notes, then retrieve them cleanly for teaching, review, board prep, and colleague discussion — without relying on a camera roll, generic notes apps, or scattered slide decks.

Visit CaseArkive

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from patients

When is spine surgery appropriate?

Surgery is considered when conservative treatments have been given adequate time and a clear structural cause for symptoms has been identified. My approach is to explore every reasonable non-operative path first, and to operate only when there is a well-defined problem that surgery can meaningfully improve.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring any imaging studies (MRI, CT, X-rays), referral documentation, a list of current medications, and any prior surgical records. Having complete information allows us to make the most of our time together.

How do you approach minimally invasive surgery?

I use minimally invasive techniques when they genuinely serve the patient's anatomy and goals — not as a marketing term. The right approach depends on the specific problem, and sometimes an open procedure provides a better result.

What is the typical recovery process?

Recovery varies significantly based on the procedure and individual factors. During our consultation, I'll provide realistic expectations, a clear timeline, and specific guidance tailored to your situation.

Next Steps