Ochsner Spine Care

Our spine care team brings together physical therapists, pain management specialists, neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons to deliver personalized care for neck and back conditions.

For many patients with new or ongoing back pain, physical therapy is a recommended first step to reduce pain, improve mobility and build strength. No referral is needed to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist.

When additional treatment is needed, we offer a full range of nonsurgical options, including injections and other pain management therapies. For patients who require surgery, our experienced neurosurgical team uses advanced techniques and technology to provide specialized spine care with a focus on the best possible outcomes.

Our neurosurgeons, neurologists and spine specialists work together to diagnose and treat a wide range of spine, brain and nerve conditions, including:

• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Sciatica and pinched nerves: Pain, numbness or weakness caused by pressure on a nerve
• Herniated, bulging and slipped discs
• Spinal stenosis: narrowing of the spaces in the spine that can put pressure on nerves
• Arthritis and degenerative spine conditions
• Slipped vertebrae (spondylolisthesis)
• Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain
• Spinal fractures and back injuries (cervical, thoracic and lumbar fractures)
• Spine infections
• Spine tumors
• Scoliosis: Sideways curvature of the spine
• Kyphosis: Excessive forward rounding of the upper back
• Adult and pediatric spinal deformities
• Sagittal imbalance: A spinal alignment problem that makes it difficult to stand upright
• Brain tumors
• Bleeding on the brain: Subdural hematomas
• Migraines and chronic headaches
• Trigeminal neuralgia: Severe facial nerve pain
• Chiari malformations: A condition where brain tissue extends into the spinal canal
• Nerve injuries
• Nerve tumors
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Pinched and compressed nerves
• Cervical dystonia: Involuntary neck muscle contractions that cause abnormal head positioning and pain

Nonsurgical Treatments

Many patients find relief without surgery. We offer a variety of nonsurgical treatments designed to reduce pain, improve function and support recovery.

• Botox therapy for migraines
• Dry needling
• Massage therapy
• Nerve blocks
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: Uses concentrated healing components from a patient's own blood to help support tissue repair and reduce pain.
• Radiofrequency ablation (rhizotomy): Uses heat generated by radio waves to interrupt pain signals from specific nerves, providing longer-lasting relief for some types of chronic neck and back pain.
• Steroid injections
• Therapeutic exercise and physical therapy
• Viscosupplementation injections: Gel injections that help cushion joints affected by arthritis, reducing pain and improving mobility.
• Iovera® cryotherapy: A nonsurgical treatment that uses controlled cold temperatures to temporarily block pain signals from specific nerves.
• Spinal cord stimulation: An implanted device that sends mild electrical signals to the spinal cord to help manage chronic back, leg or nerve pain.

Spine Surgery (Neck & Back)

When surgery is needed, our team uses advanced and minimally invasive techniques whenever possible to help improve outcomes and recovery times.

Minimally Invasive Spine Procedures

• Discectomy and microdiscectomy: Removes part of a damaged or herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve.
• Laminectomy and spinal decompression: Relieves pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
• Minimally invasive spine surgery: Performed through smaller incisions, often resulting in less pain and a faster recovery.
• Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty: Stabilizes certain spinal fractures and can help relieve pain.

Spine Stabilization and Reconstruction

• Spinal fusion: Joins two or more vertebrae to stabilize the spine.
• Artificial disc replacement: Replaces a damaged disc while preserving motion.
• Sacroiliac (SI) joint fusion: Stabilizes the joint between the spine and pelvis.
• Spinal reconstruction: Corrects severe spinal deformities or instability.
• Lumbar facet replacement (TOPS™ procedure): Replaces damaged joints in the lower back to help maintain movement and reduce pain.

Advanced Surgical Techniques

• Robotic and navigation-assisted spine surgery: Uses advanced technology to help surgeons operate with greater precision.
• ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion): A common neck surgery that removes a damaged disc and stabilizes the spine.
• Advanced lumbar fusion procedures: Specialized surgical techniques used to stabilize the lower back, relieve pressure on nerves and reduce pain.

Brain Surgery

Our neurosurgical team provides expert care for a range of brain conditions using advanced surgical techniques.

• Brain tumor surgery (craniotomy): Surgery to remove brain tumors while protecting healthy brain tissue.
• Trigeminal neuralgia surgery: Treatment for severe facial pain caused by nerve irritation.
• Treatment for intracerebral hemorrhage (brain bleed): Emergency surgical care for bleeding within the brain.

Every treatment plan is personalized to your condition, symptoms and goals. We prioritize conservative treatment whenever possible and reserve surgery for when it is truly needed.

Take a virtual tour of our back and spine physical rehabilitation facility on the Northshore.

Recovery time varies depending on the type of treatment and the individual. Nonsurgical treatments may require weeks of therapy, while recovery from surgery can take several months with proper rehabilitation.

You should consider seeing a specialist if your back pain lasts over a few weeks, worsens over time or is accompanied by other symptoms like numbness, weakness or difficulty moving.

Our specialists develop personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique condition and health goals. Whether you're dealing with chronic pain or recovering from surgery, we focus on easing your pain and helping you achieve the best possible outcomes.

Our team includes fellowship-trained orthopedists, neurosurgeons, pain specialists and physical therapists. These experts work together to provide personalized care, drawing on their specialized knowledge to optimize your treatment, improve your quality of life and support a quicker recovery.