Spine Center
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Why choose UCSF Health for spine care?
We are the largest spine center in California, caring for thousands of patients every year. Our spine specialists treat the full range of spine conditions, including those affecting the back, neck and nervous system.
Our team uses advanced imaging technologies to give you a precise diagnosis and guide your personalized treatment plan. We use nonsurgical and surgical therapies to help you get relief from:
Back and neck pain
Nerve pain
Spinal conditions and injuries
Spinal tumors
Why choose UCSF Health for spine care?
We are the largest spine center in California, caring for thousands of patients every year. Our spine specialists treat the full range of spine conditions, including those affecting the back, neck and nervous system.
Our team uses advanced imaging technologies to give you a precise diagnosis and guide your personalized treatment plan. We use nonsurgical and surgical therapies to help you get relief from:
Back and neck pain
Nerve pain
Spinal conditions and injuries
Spinal tumors
Get care
High-volume center
We see nearly 10,000 patients per year, giving us extensive experience treating a range of spine and nervous system concerns.Comprehensive, advanced care
Our spine care team uses the latest imaging techniques and computerized approaches to tailor procedures to your needs.Specialized expertise
Our skilled, experienced team treats rare and complex spinal conditions, such as spinal tumors and compression fractures.Pioneering treatments
UCSF Health's spinal surgeons have helped develop advanced techniques that enable the removal of previously inoperable spinal tumors.Proven experience
We use evidence-based procedures to diagnose and treat spine conditions with decades of successful outcomes.
Our spine care services
At UCSF Health, you receive comprehensive, expert spine care. Providers from several specialties work together to address your spinal concerns using nonsurgical and surgical treatments.
Our team includes:
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Orthopedic surgeons
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Neurosurgeons and neurologists
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Physiatrists and pain medicine specialists (non-operative physicians)
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Neuroradiologists
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Oncologists and radiation oncologists
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Rheumatologists
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Physical therapists
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Physician assistants and nurse practitioners
Our services include:
Advanced imaging
We are one of the only centers in Northern California consistently advancing our novel MRI and CT scan technologies to more precisely diagnose spine and peripheral nerve problems.
The detailed images also enhance the effectiveness of spinal injections, improve surgical outcomes and reduce your time in the operating room.
Sometimes, we use detailed images of your bones and joints to make a 3D model. The 3D printing technology allows us to plan and practice complex procedures.
Nonsurgical treatments
We help you get back on your feet with advanced treatments for back injuries, nerve pain and spinal cord conditions. Our providers may recommend pain management injections and medications to relieve pain and stiffness.
Our physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors also help you find relief from pain caused by lumbar stenosis and other spinal conditions. We work with you to restore spinal function, correct posture and strengthen your back and neck using proven techniques.
Spine surgery
Our experienced surgeons use evidence-based approaches to give you the best possible outcomes. We may recommend:
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Minimally invasive surgery. We use minimally invasive and robot-assisted procedures – such as vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty and sacroplasty – to treat spinal conditions caused by compression fractures. These techniques cause less disruption to muscles and tissues, reduce the risk of complications and support a quicker recovery.
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Complex spine surgery. Our experienced surgeons perform revisional spine procedures, including artificial disk replacement and revision surgery to correct failed spine surgeries.
Spinal tumor care
Our specialists take a team approach to spinal tumors, meeting regularly to discuss complex cases and combining our expertise to make treatment recommendations:
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Spine tumor board. A team of UCSF Health experts meets monthly to develop tailored treatment plans for patients with spinal tumors.
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Spine rapid case review. Our rapid case review service is available for urgent spinal tumor cases that require immediate attention. A team of world-renowned specialists reviews your case within 48 hours of submission.
Radiosurgery
For spinal tumor surgery, we use an advanced robotic system – CyberKnife – to treat some spinal tumors without incisions or anesthesia.
Clinical trials
Our spine specialists lead innovative research to better understand spinal conditions and improve therapies. You may have the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial, gaining access to effective treatments that may not be widely available.
Locations
Providers
Recognized excellence
10,000+
patients treated each year
Best in Northern California and No. 6 in the nation for orthopedic care
Best in the West and No. 2 in the nation for neurology & neurosurgery
Rated high-performing hospital for spinal fusion surgery
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Arthritis
- Back Pain
- Chronic Pain
- Compression Fracture
- Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Neck Pain
- Pelvic Fracture
- Spine Injury
Treatments
- Acetabular Surgery
- Artificial Disc Replacement Surgery in the Lumbar Spine
- Clinical Trials
- CyberKnife
- Kyphoplasty
- Vertebroplasty
Clinical trials
Prospective Evaluation of Complex Adult Spinal Deformity (CAD) Treated With Minimally Invasive SurgeryOpens in a new window
Scoliosis specific patient reported outcome.Radiographic and Clinical Evaluation of Surgical Treatment for Cervical Deformity: A Multi-Center Study 2.0Opens in a new window
Self-reported pain in Head where 0=no pain/10=severe pain.Complex Adult Deformity Surgery (CADS)Opens in a new window
Scoliosis specific patient reported outcome.The Ailliance Post-Market Clinical StudyOpens in a new window
Defined by amount of: 1) blood loss (mL) during surgery and/or 2) total operation time and/or 3) length of stay in the hospital (measured from surgery completion to discharge), and/or 4) investigator opinion on whether the device...Optic Nerve Stimulation To Prevent Visual Deficits After Endoscopic Cranial ApproachesOpens in a new window
Patients that received our intervention will be evaluated post operatively for regular standard of care six weeks post-operatively. During visual evaluation, the PI of this study will determine post-operative visual field and visu...Tranexamic Acid to Reduce Blood Loss in Spine SurgeryOpens in a new window
This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of topical tranexamic acid to reduce perioperative blood loss, reduction in postoperative drain output and allogenic transfusion requirements.Open-label Placebo (COLP) for Pain in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) Surgery+Surgical Treatment of Idiopathic ScoliosisOpens in a new window
Oral morphine equivalents (OMEs) are values that represent the potency of an opioid dose relative to morphine. Using OMEs provides a standardized method for converting between various opiate medications. Each oral opioid dose is a...ICG Angiogram as a Predictor of Postoperative Visual Function After EEA SurgeryOpens in a new window
The investigators will evaluate the percentage of participants that present with decreased of visual acuity and any modality of visual field defect after the surgery. Postoperative visual acuity and visual field testing will be pe...
Special programs
Spine Rapid Case Review
The Spine Center at UCSF Health provides a rapid case review, within 48 hours of submission, to evaluate complex, challenging spine tumor cases.
Spine Tumor Board
The UCSF Spine Center holds a monthly Spine Tumor Board to review challenging cases involving primary tumors of the spine and that have spread to the spine.
Support services
Case Management and Social Work
Connect with a team that can help you find resources, solve problems and advocate for you during treatment at UCSF.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Class
This eight-week class teaches mindfulness practices that can reduce stress and improve your overall health, such as meditation and body awareness.
Patient Relations
We welcome feedback about your experience at UCSF Health. Find out how to contact us with comments, questions or concerns.
Spiritual Care at UCSF
Chaplains representing many faiths are available around the clock to provide support, comfort and counsel to patients, families and caregivers.