Spine surgery in Michigan

Experienced neurosurgeons at Ascension Michigan diagnose and treat many types of neck and back injuries and conditions. Your neurosurgeon works with a team of specialists and is part of an integrated national network of doctors, sharing best practices, knowledge and research while delivering advanced care close to home. Your care team has the expertise to help find the cause of your symptoms and deliver a treatment plan that helps relieve pain, increase movement and improve your quality of life. And, we connect you with advanced rehabilitation and support after surgery.

Leaders in spine surgery

Spine surgery may be an option if you have chronic back or neck pain that hasn’t gotten better with other treatment, such as injections, medication or non-invasive therapy. Your doctor works with you to create a personalized care plan. Some spinal conditions that may require surgery include:

• Arthritis and arthritis-like conditions of the spine
• Back pain
• Broken vertebra
• Cervical disk disease
• Compression fractures of the spine
• Degenerative disc disease
• Exaggerated, forward rounding of the back (Kyphosis)
• Herniated disc
• Infection
• Neck pain
• Osteoporosis
• Persistent pain in the back following back surgery
• Pinched nerve
• Sciatica (nerve pain in your lower back and down your leg)
• Scoliosis (curved spine) and other spinal deformities
• Spine infection
• Spinal instability (spondylolisthesis)
• Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal
• Spinal tumor
• Spondylosis (age-related degeneration of the spine)
• Tailbone pain (coccyx pain)
• Whiplash

Minimally-invasive spine surgery

When spine surgery is recommended as part of your care plan, experienced neurosurgeons at Ascension Michigan use the latest spine surgery techniques. Whenever possible, minimally invasive procedures are recommended, which use smaller incisions and may lead to less pain and a shorter recovery.

Other types of spine surgery include:

• Cervical spine surgery
• Complex spinal reconstruction
• Disk replacement
• Lumbar spine surgery
• Minimally invasive spine surgery
• Peripheral nerve surgery
• Removal of spinal tumors
• Robotic spine surgery
• Scoliosis surgery
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Spinal deformity correction surgery
• Spinal radiosurgery

From preparation for surgery through recovery, you are connected with specialists in physical rehabilitation. We focus on neuro-rehabilitation therapies to help safely increase your muscular strength and flexibility.

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Helping you prepare for spine surgery

Your neurosurgeon will talk with you before your surgery to help you prepare for your procedure. You may need to stop taking some medications before the procedure, such as blood thinners and aspirin. If you smoke, you will need to stop smoking before surgery. Talk with your doctor about the right diet and exercise before your surgery to best support your recovery. Your care team will also tell you about any restrictions for eating and drinking before surgery.

Depending on the type of surgery you are having, your surgeon may recommend that you have a pre-surgery evaluation. This appointment may include a physical exam and other tests. Our goal is to help make sure you are prepared to have anesthesia and that you have a pre-surgery plan customized for your health needs.

There are also things you can do at home to prepare for surgery, such as adjusting your bed height, clearing walkways, making sure you have essential items and more. Your care team will help you prepare your home to help make your recovery smoother.

What to expect after spine surgery

After surgery, your physical therapist will evaluate your needs, create a care plan for rehabilitation and make sure you are prepared to go home. Your therapist will also help you with walking devices such as a cane or walker, if needed. Working with you and your care team, your physical therapist can help determine the level of physical therapy you may need to recover.

Get a second opinion from a neurosurgeon at Ascension Michigan

Get the confidence and peace of mind that your doctor and care plan are right for you. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension Michigan. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options. Talk with one of our doctors about a personalized care plan.

When you are experiencing pain from an injury or symptoms of a spine condition, there’s a lot to think about. We can discuss both therapeutic or surgical treatment plans. Our team of highly experienced neurosurgeons can provide you with a second opinion, based on experience and as part of an integrated national network of care.

Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records from your doctor on your behalf, so that they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.

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Financial assistance and support is available

We can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family with options for financial assistance. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you to help find options that meet your needs.

Insurance coverage for surgery

Talk with your doctor or insurance provider about insurance coverage options for having spine surgery. Surgery may be covered by various insurance plans as well as Medicare. First, you may need to be evaluated by a neurosurgeon.

Frequently asked questions

What causes back and neck pain?
Back and neck pain can range from a mild, dull ache to persistent, severe and disabling pain that may radiate down your arms or legs. Neurosurgeons at Ascension Michigan specialize in the diagnosis and surgical treatment of back and neck pain. Our goal is to help find the cause of your pain and provide the right care for you. For many patients, the causes of back and neck pain include overuse, trauma or injury, infection, abnormal growth, obesity, muscle strain, muscle or ligament tears, joint problems, smoking, slipped disk, osteoporosis and more.

When should I talk to my doctor about back and neck pain?
You should talk to your doctor about back and neck pain if you have:

• Pain lasting more than two weeks
• Pain after an injury or fall
• Severe pain that does not go away with rest and medication
• Weakness, numbness or tingling in your arms or legs
• Unintentional and unexplained weight loss
• A fever over 100.4°F
• Loss of bladder or bowel control

How is back and neck pain treated?
Your care plan to address your back and neck pain may include therapy or surgical options. Your care team at Ascension Michigan focuses on rehabilitation therapies to safely increase your muscular strength and flexibility. Certain exercises, anti-inflammatory medicines, braces or injections may help relieve pain. When surgery is needed, your doctor will discuss your surgical treatment options. There are many different types of surgery to treat back pain. Your doctor will recommend a surgical care plan that’s right for you.