Spine Surgery
The multidisciplinary UC Davis Spine Center was founded in 2006 to provide comprehensive multidisciplinary care to our patients with spinal disorders. Co-directed by Kee Kim, M.D., chief of spinal neurosurgery, our surgeons, physiatrists, pain specialists, physical therapists and clinical psychologists provide patient-centered care using evidence-based approaches incorporating leading-edge technology, including endoscopic, minimally invasive, and robotic- and augmented reality-assisted spine surgery.
UC Davis Medical Center operates as inland Northern California's only level I trauma center for both adult and pediatric emergencies is historically among the nation's busiest. Patients with spine trauma and spinal cord injury, like Julia, receive state-of-the-art care.
New Services
Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Safer procedures, faster recoveries
We recently welcomed surgeon-innovator and endoscopic spine surgery specialist Richard Lee (Rick) Price, III, M.D., Ph.D., to the faculty.
Endoscopic spine surgery is the most minimally invasive procedure used to treat various conditions affecting the spine.
Some of the conditions UC Davis Health neurological surgeons use endoscopic spine surgery to address include:
- Herniated Discs: When the soft cushioning discs between vertebrae bulge or rupture, causing pressure on nearby nerves.
- Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal due to aging or degenerative changes, which can compress the spinal cord and nerves.
- Bone Spurs: Overgrowths of bone that can narrow the spinal canal and compress nerves.
- Facet Joint Disease: Degenerative changes in the joints of the spine, leading to pain and stiffness.
- Foraminal Stenosis: Narrowing of the openings (foramina) where spinal nerves exit the spinal column.
Endoscopic spine surgery uses specialized instruments and techniques to access the spine through small incisions, minimizing damage to surrounding tissues as well as reducing the risk of infection. It aims to relieve pain, improve mobility, and facilitate quicker recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
Endoscopic spine surgery is the most minimally invasive spine surgery option. It can treat most spinal conditions with only an 8 millimeter incision (about the width of a pen). Most patients go home several hours after surgery with minimal post-operative pain. This allows patients to get back to their normal lives as quickly as possible.
Additional Services
The Spine Center Website provides information about the full range of services and specialties we offer for spine conditions.
The Neurological Spine Team
Neurological Spine Faculty
Neurological Surgery Advanced Practice Providers
