Spine

Experts at the UC Davis Spine Center use the latest treatments for common and complex back and neck problems. We help to relieve functional disability, ease back and neck pain and improve your quality of life.

Medically reviewed by Kee D. Kim, M.D. and Yashar Javidan, M.D. on March 11, 2026.

Spine specialist showing patient imaging of her spine in a clinic office

Nationally Recognized Spine Care

Easing functional disability, neck and back pain to improve your quality of life are top priorities for our specialists at the UC Davis Spine Center. Our experts use a team approach and the latest advances to treat all types of spine problems with skill and compassion.

Our Difference

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Comprehensive Treatments

You receive the latest nonsurgical and surgical treatments for any type of spine problem you have. Our advanced minimally invasive back surgeries promote the best possible outcome for you.

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Full Range of Services

You get expert care through physical and occupational therapy, orthotics and alternative and complementary therapies. We offer convenient access to services designed to ease back and neck pain you may have and improve your spine health.  

Customized Care Plans

Your unique diagnosis, symptoms and personal preferences guide our team of spine specialists. They work together to customize a treatment plan with you.

Request an Appointment

As Sacramento's No. 1 hospital, you'll benefit from unique advantages in primary care and specialty care. This includes prevention, diagnosis and treatment options from experts in 150 specialties.

Referring Physicians

To refer a patient, submit an electronic referral form or call.

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Patients

Call to make an appointment.

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State-of-the-Art Spine Care

We understand the impact back and neck problems can have on your quality of life. Our spine specialists provide compassionate care for all types of spine conditions. We offer comprehensive services to help you feel better and enjoy a more active life.

Our specialties and services include:

Orthopaedic Surgery

Our orthopaedic spine surgeons provide advanced care for a wide range of spine conditions. We offer minimally invasive procedures and complex reconstructive surgery tailored to each patient’s needs. Our team specializes in robotic-assisted techniques, disc replacement, revision surgery, pediatric scoliosis, adult spinal deformity and complex reconstruction for the most challenging spinal conditions.

Learn more about orthopaedics
Neurosurgery

Our neurospine surgeons treat a variety of complex spinal conditions. Patients benefit from expertise in decompression, stabilization, spinal deformity, motion preservation, disc replacement, endoscopic techniques and technology-enabled spine surgery. Surgeons also specialize in intradural pathology, spinal cord tumors and tumors involving the spinal canal.

Discover world-class neurosurgical care
Pain Management

Our pain specialists provide advanced nonsurgical treatment options, including image-guided injections, pain medication, nerve-targeted therapies and neuromodulation.

Explore the UC Davis Pain Management Clinic
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Our physical medicine and rehabilitation program offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, orthotics and other services for people with spine problems.

See how physical medicine and rehabilitation services can help
Awards and Recognitions
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USNWR Best Hospital badge

Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals

A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, and pulmonology & lung surgery.

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US News & World Report best Children’s Hospital badge

Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals

U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in pediatric nephrology, orthopedics*, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)

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USNWR best regional hospital badge

Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital

Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in aortic valve surgery, back surgery (spinal fusion), COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, gynecological cancer surgery, heart arrhythmia, heart failure, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pacemaker implantation, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, cancer, orthopedics, gastroenterology & GI surgery, and urology.

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Magnet designation badge

The nation’s highest nursing honor

UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.

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NCI badge

World-class cancer care

One of ~59 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.

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HEI LGBTQ badge

A leader in health care equality

For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.

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conditions

Spine Conditions We Treat

Spine problems can affect any part of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine. They may cause pain, neurologic symptoms, functional limitations and spinal imbalance.

Our spine experts treat:

Spine Conditions and Disorders

We treat all types of spine conditions, including degenerative diseases, disc problems, spinal compression, pinched nerves, spinal infections, spine tumors and spinal deformities like scoliosis and kyphosis.

Explore more about spine conditions and disorders
Sports Injuries

We partner with our sports medicine specialists to evaluate and treat spine injuries related to athletics, overuse and high-demand physical activity. We create personalized plans ranging from rehabilitation to surgical care when needed.

Workplace Injuries

We evaluate and treat spine injuries related to work activities, including acute and repetitive conditions. We focus on diagnosis, restoring function and personalized treatment planning

Learn about occupational orthopaedic injuries
Spinal Fractures and Trauma

Our Spine Center providers are part of the level 1 trauma center at UC Davis Medical Center. Our experts will conduct a thorough evaluation and discuss all treatment options with you for the best possible outcome.

Failed Neck or Back Syndrome

Our team evaluates patients with persistent symptoms after prior neck or back surgery. This includes recurrent stenosis, adjacent segment disease, deformity, instability, pseudarthrosis or hardware-related problems. We develop individualized, evidence-based treatment plans for complex revision cases.

Spine Treatments We Offer

We offer a full range of nonsurgical and surgical treatments for spine problems.

We specialize in:

Orthopaedic Spine Surgery

Whenever possible, our orthopaedic surgeons perform spine surgeries through small incisions using tiny scope devices (endoscopes) and robotic technology. These minimally invasive approaches minimize pain and help you recover faster than traditional surgery.

Neurospine Surgery

We offer advanced neurospine surgeries to decompress and/or stabilize the spine when other treatments aren’t effective. Our team includes national leaders in deformity, artificial disc technology, endoscopic, robotic-assisted and augmented reality assisted surgery.

Learn about spine neurosurgery
Neurosurgery for Pain

When medications and other therapies don’t ease chronic back or neck pain, we may use surgically implanted spinal cord stimulators, ablations, neuromodulation and other procedures to stop pain signals from reaching your brain.

See how neurosurgery pain management can help
Nonsurgical Pain Relief

We offer a range of therapies to ease back pain, including non-opioid medications, injections, nerve stimulators and complementary therapies like acupuncture.

Discover how we relieve chronic pain
Physical Therapy

Our physical therapists help you regain strength, flexibility and mobility after a spine injury or procedure.

Explore our physical therapy services
Spine Care FAQs

You should see a spine specialist if you have severe or chronic back or neck pain, pain that radiates to other parts of your body or pain with numbness and weakness. You should also see a provider if back or neck pain affects your ability to engage in life.

Contact a provider if you have trouble walking or balance problems. If you’ve already had treatment for a spine problem and have been told you may need surgery, seek evaluation.

Depending on your condition, your care team may include spine surgeons, advanced practice providers, pain specialists, physiatrists, physical therapists and rehabilitation experts. They all work together to create a personalized treatment plan for you. 

We strive to use nonsurgical or minimally invasive options whenever possible. But some spine conditions will get better only with surgery. Your health care provider will discuss treatment options with you.

Depending on the spine problem, your health care provider may recommend hot and cold therapy, stretching exercises and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain relievers.

Yes. Our team has specialized expertise in adult and complex spinal deformity, including scoliosis, kyphosis and sagittal imbalance, as well as revision deformity surgery.

Yes. We offer minimally invasive and endoscopic procedures for selected spine conditions, as well as advanced image-guided, navigated and robotic-assisted techniques when appropriate.

Yes. We regularly evaluate patients with ongoing symptoms after prior neck or back surgery. We provide expert assessment and treatment planning for complex revision cases.