Spine Orthopaedic Surgery

Spine problems can cause debilitating pain along with numbness, tingling, and weakness. Many spine issues only worsen if left untreated.

Although more than 90% of spine problems can be treated without surgery, some require surgical intervention to improve symptoms and prevent further damage.

If you need surgery, UPMC offers advanced and minimally invasive surgeries and a full care team of surgeons, physical therapists, nurses, and others to support you from your initial consultation to complete recovery.

Find the Right Care For You

What Spine Conditions Do You Treat?

UPMC’s team of spine experts treats the following spinal conditions, as well as other rare problems and injuries of the spine:

Adult spina bifida — When the spine and spinal cord do not form properly, often leading to mobility issues, pain, and other complications.
Cauda equina syndrome — A medical emergency where nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord are compressed.
Discitis — An infection of the intervertebral discs in the spine, causing inflammation and severe back pain.
Degenerative disc disease — The wearing down of the discs that cushion the vertebrae in the spine. Can lead to osteoarthritis or pain and stiffness in the spine.
Hemangioblastoma — A benign (noncancerous), slow-growing tumor that forms in the blood vessels of the brain, spinal cord, or retina.
Hemangioma — A benign (noncancerous) tumor made up of blood vessels.
Herniated disc (slipped disc) — When a disc in the spine slips out of place, causing pain, especially if the slipped disc pushes against a nerve.
Kyphosis — Compression fracture in which at least one vertebra in the spine is broken or collapsed, usually from osteoporosis.
Lower back pain — Pain specifically in the lumbar region of the spine.
Metastatic tumors — Cancerous growths that form on nerves, bones, and other soft tissues.
Myelopathy — Severe compression of the spine that affects the nerve roots. Can cause sensation issues and bowel, bladder, and mobility problems.
Neck pain — Pain in the cervical region of the spine.
Neurofibroma — A benign (noncancerous) tumor that develops from the nerve tissue around the spine.
Radiculopathy/pinched nerve — When a spinal bone shifts and touches a nerve, causing pain, numbness, or tingling where the nerve travels around the body.
Schwannoma tumor — A typically benign (noncancerous) tumor that arises from Schwann cells, which produce the protective myelin sheath around nerves.
Sciatica — Nerve pain that travels from the buttocks to the foot, possibly causing weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg.
Scoliosis — An irregular curve in the spine that pushes the spinal column to the side, resulting in an "S" or "C" shape instead of a straight line.
Spinal infections — Bacterial or fungal infections in or around the spinal canal or within a bone in the spine.
Spinal meningioma tumor — Typically benign tumor that forms in the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.
Spinal stenosis — Narrowing of the spinal canal due to swollen, thickened, or out-of-place tissue or bone.
Spondylolisthesis — The sliding of one vertebra in the back over the bone below it, usually in the lower back, causing pain, numbness, or leg weakness when it squeezes the nerve roots.
Spondylosis — A defect or fracture in the "wing" part of the vertebra that keeps the vertebrae in place.
Sprains and strains — Including tears in one or more of the ligaments or tendons around the spine.
Synovial cyst — A fluid-filled sac in the spine caused by degenerative changes, leading to pain and nerve compression.
Syringomyelia — Formation of a fluid-filled cyst, called a syrinx, within the spinal cord.
Vascular malformation — Usually inborn abnormal development of blood vessels that can occur in arteries, veins, capillaries, or lymphatic vessels.

What Spine and Back Orthopaedic Surgery Services Do You Offer at UPMC?

Our spinal surgery experts offer many diagnostic tests and advanced treatments, including:

Cervical discectomy — Removes a damaged or herniated disc in the neck region of the spine.
Cervical dorsal root rhizotomy — Surgical pain relief procedure using radiofrequency pulses to inactivate some of the sensory nerve fibers in the neck.
CT-guided surgery — Uses CT scanning to guide the surgeon’s path.
Disc replacement — Replaces a damaged, swollen disc with an artificial disc to cushion the spine.
Dynamic lumbar spine stabilization — Surgical technique to stabilize the lower spine while allowing for more mobility than traditional spinal fusion surgery.
Electromyography— Diagnostic test that measures the electrical activity of muscles in response to nerve stimulation. It helps evaluate the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them (motor neurons).
Endoscopic spinal tumor resection — Minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove a spinal tumor.
Endoscopic sympathectomy — Minimally invasive surgical procedure that targets the sympathetic nerves along the spinal cord.
Kyphoplasty — Procedure to treat compression fractures through the rebuilding of the vertebrae.
Lumbar laminectomy — Surgery to remove part or all of the lamina (back part of a vertebra in the lower spine) to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
Microdiscectomy — Minimally invasive surgical removal of small pieces of disc, ligament, or bone that presses on the nerve in the spine.
Microforaminotomy — Minimally invasive procedure to widen the opening of the spinal canal and relieve nerve pressure.
Microlaminectomy — Minimally invasive procedure to remove the back portion of the vertebrae (lamina).
Myelogram — Diagnostic imaging test using contrast dye and x-rays or CT scanning to examine the spinal canal, spinal cord, and nerve roots.
Nerve conduction study — Diagnostic test using electrical impulses to evaluate the function and health of your peripheral nerve.
Spinal cord stimulation implant — Medical device used to manage chronic pain.
Spinal discectomy and fusion — Surgery to remove a damaged part of the disc and fuse the vertebrae, treating pain and nerve problems from spinal compression.
Spinal reconstruction — Complex surgery to correct deformities and stabilize the spine, often involving multiple areas of the spine.
Spine stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) — Noninvasive procedure that uses precisely focused radiation beams to treat tumors and other abnormalities in the brain and spine.
Tumor resection — Surgical removal of tumors of the nervous system.
Vertebroplasty — Treatment for compression fractures.

Why Choose UPMC for Spine and Back Surgery?

Chronic back and neck pain can be difficult to treat, and the same care plan does not work for everyone. At UPMC, our team of world-class experts provides comprehensive spine care and treatment.

Whether you are dealing with a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or scoliosis, our goal is to help you get back to a pain-free life.

With advanced diagnostics, wide-ranging nonsurgical treatments, advanced surgical approaches, including minimally invasive procedures, and a focus on patient-centered care, you can trust UPMC for all your spine care needs.

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-05-16.