At UPMC, our world-renowned spine specialists diagnose and treat a wide range of spinal diseases and disorders. Our expert team includes neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, pain management specialists, and rehabilitation therapists, all dedicated to providing comprehensive, cutting-edge care.
Conditions We Treat
Degenerative spine conditions
As part of the natural aging process, spinal structures—such as discs, joints, and ligaments—undergo wear and tear. By age 40, most people experience some degree of spinal degeneration. While some individuals remain symptom-free, others may develop pain, stiffness, or neurological symptoms.
Some common conditions we treat include:
- Degenerative Disc Disease —
A condition in which spinal discs lose flexibility and hydration, leading to pain and reduced spinal function.
- Herniated Disc —
Occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer, potentially compressing nearby nerves.
- Spinal Stenosis — A narrowing of the spinal canal, often in the neck or lower back, which can put pressure on nerves and cause pain, numbness, or weakness.
- Spondylolisthesis — A condition where one vertebra slips out of alignment and presses on the vertebra below, leading to instability and pain.
Spinal deformities
Spinal deformities involve abnormal curvature of the spine. These conditions often develop during adolescence but can also arise in adulthood due to osteoporosis or degenerative changes.
Some types of spinal deformities we treat include:
- Adult scoliosis – A sideways curvature of the spine that may cause pain, imbalance, or breathing difficulties.
- Kyphosis – An excessive outward curvature of the upper back, leading to a hunched posture and, in severe cases, breathing difficulties or pain.
Spinal tumors and lesions
Spinal tumors are abnormal tissue growths that develop within or near the spinal cord. They can press on nerve tissues, causing chronic pain, weakness, or neurological impairments.
Types of spinal tumors and lesions we treat include:
- Hemangioblastoma – A slow-growing, benign vascular tumor that develops along the spine.
- Hemangioma – A benign tumor made up of abnormal blood vessels commonly found in the mid or lower back.
- Meningioma – A tumor that grows in the protective membranes surrounding the spinal cord; most are benign but can become malignant.
- Metastatic tumors – Cancerous tumors that spread to the spine from other parts of the body, such as the lungs, breast, or prostate.
- Neurofibroma – A noncancerous tumor that arises from the nerve sheath.
- Schwannoma tumors – Typically benign tumors originating from Schwann cells, which produce the protective covering around nerves.
- Vascular malformations – Abnormal formations of blood vessels that can develop in or around the spinal cord, potentially leading to neurological symptoms.
Traumatic spine injuries and fractures
Spinal injuries and fractures can have serious, lasting consequences if not treated promptly. These conditions often result from falls, car accidents, sports injuries, or osteoporosis-related bone weakening.
Traumatic spine injuries and fractures we treat include:
- Myelopathy – Severe spinal cord compression that can lead to difficulty walking, balance issues, and loss of fine motor control.
- Radiculopathy – Nerve root compression that causes radiating pain, weakness, or numbness in the arms or legs.
- Spinal compression fractures – Small cracks in the spinal vertebrae, often caused by osteoporosis, that can lead to height loss, pain, and postural changes.
- Spinal cord injury and trauma – Damage to the spinal cord from an accident or injury, which may cause temporary or permanent paralysis.
Spinal canal and cerebellar conditions
Some conditions affecting the spinal canal and brainstem can be life-threatening and require expert neurosurgical care. These disorders often involve abnormal bone structures or tissue formations that put pressure on critical areas of the nervous system.
Spinal canal and cerebellar issues we treat include:
- Basilar invagination – A rare condition where the second cervical vertebra moves upward, pressing on the brainstem and spinal cord, potentially causing neurological deficits.
- Chiari malformation – A structural abnormality in which brain tissue extends into the spinal canal, leading to headaches, balance problems, sleep disturbances, and other neurological symptoms.
What Treatments Do You Offer?
At UPMC, we use cutting-edge technology and the latest advancements in spine surgery to provide our patients with the best possible outcomes.
We offer the following surgical and nonsurgical treatments:
- Minimally invasive spine surgery – Small incisions and advanced imaging techniques allow for precise surgery with reduced recovery time.
- State-of-the-art navigation system and microscope – High-resolution imaging and real-time navigation help ensure precise surgical procedures with minimal impact on surrounding tissues.
- 3D C-arm imaging for intraoperative guidance – Advanced x-ray technology provides surgeons with three-dimensional images during surgery, enhancing accuracy and safety.
- Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) – A noninvasive treatment that delivers highly targeted radiation to spinal tumors without affecting surrounding healthy tissue.
- Physical therapy and pain management – Comprehensive rehabilitation programs help restore function and improve quality of life after spine surgery or injury.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-05-16.
