Oklahoma's choice for spine care | Ascension
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Oklahoma's choice for spine care

Specialists at Ascension St. John Oklahoma Scoliosis & Spine in Tulsa, Oklahoma, deliver surgical care for neck and back conditions.
CALL - 918-301-6018
FIND A SCOLIOSIS SPINE SURGEON

Experienced neurosurgeons and spine surgeons at Ascension St. John Oklahoma Scoliosis & Spine diagnose and treat many types of neck and back injuries, scoliosis and complex spine deformities. Your surgeon works with a team of specialists and is part of a national team 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.

When spine surgery is recommended as part of your care plan, your experienced surgeon at Ascension St. John Oklahoma Scoliosis & Spine uses 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.

A leader in back and neck surgery and spinal deformity 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. Some spinal conditions that may require surgery include:

  • Broken vertebra
  • Cervical disk disease
  • Herniated disk
  • Infection
  • Sciatica (nerve pain in your lower back and down your leg)
  • Spinal instability (spondylolisthesis)
  • Spinal stenosis or narrowing of the spinal canal
  • Spinal tumor
  • Spondylosis (age-related degeneration of the spine)

Complex spine surgery for children and adults

Our board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon at Ascension St. John specializes in reconstructive spine surgery for scoliosis and other spinal deformities. William C. Clark Jr., MD and Jason A. Gates, PA-C deliver advanced care to correct curvature in the spine and conditions that change the spine’s structure and stability. Our spine care team delivers advanced care for pediatric and adult patients in the state of Oklahoma and beyond. 

Get a second opinion

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 St. John’s Oklahoma Scoliosis & Spine. 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 surgeons can provide you with a second opinion based on experience and as part of a national care team.

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.

Get a second opinion

Financial assistance and support is available

Our team at Ascension St. John can connect you with options for financial assistance and resources and programs. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you and your family 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. 

Spine Institute at Ascension St. John’s Oklahoma Scoliosis & Spine Hospital 

When you choose Ascension St. John’s Oklahoma Scoliosis & Spine, at 2000 South Wheeling Ave., Suite 1110 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you’re joining countless others who have also received personalized care from one of the region’s leading complex spine care programs. Your doctor and care teams have the training and expertise to diagnose and treat complex conditions, including brain and spinal cord tumors and spinal abnormalities. When you arrive at our new state-of-the-art facility, you will find a dedicated entrance, and a convenient lounge and waiting room. You’ll also find the latest in spine care and advanced technology for spine surgery.

For more information, call 918-301-6018.

Frequently asked questions about spine surgery

  • How do I prepare for spine surgery?

    Your surgeon at Ascension St. John 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. Your doctor and care team may recommend a diet and specific exercises to do before your surgery to support your recovery. Your care team will also tell you about what not to eat or drink before surgery.

    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.

  • Do I need to have a pre-surgical evaluation?

    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.

  • What should I 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.

  • 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. Surgeons at Ascension St. John Oklahoma Scoliosis & Spine specialize in the diagnosis and 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 can include overuse, trauma or injury, infection, abnormal growth, deformity, 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
    • Loss of bladder or bowel control
  • How is back and neck pain treated?

    Your care plan to address your back and neck pain will be personalized and may include medication, spinal injections, physical therapy or surgical options. Your care team at Ascension St. John’s Oklahoma Scoliosis & Spine focuses on rehabilitation therapies to help improve your muscular strength and flexibility and manage pain If surgery is recommended, your spine surgeon will explain surgical treatment options.