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Dr. Christopher Ames is a neurosurgeon who cares for patients with tumors, scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine) and kyphosis (curvature of the upper back). His expertise includes treating chordoma (a cancerous spinal tumor) with en bloc resection (a technique for removing the diseased tissue in one piece). He also specializes in chondrosarcoma (a rare bone cancer that starts in cartilage cells), giant cell tumor (an aggressive, noncancerous tumor), soft tissue sarcoma (cancer affecting connective tissues) and sacral tumors (those affecting the sacrum, a bone at the base of the spine).

Ames directs surgery for spinal tumors and deformities. He is co-director of the UCSF Spine Center, a specialty service providing the most advanced treatments for patients with spinal disorders. In addition, he directs UCSF's neurosurgical spinal deformity service and tumor and deformity fellowship program, which performs more than 200 procedures each year to correct scoliosis, kyphosis, flatback syndrome, and chin-on-chest deformity in ankylosing spondylitis.

Ames directs UCSF's spinal biomechanics laboratory. He serves as the UCSF site director for the International Spine Study Group as well as for the multicenter, international Scoli-RISK-1 Study, sponsored by the AO Foundation in collaboration with the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), which is looking at neurological complications following spinal deformity surgery. He has published pioneering research on tumor surgery, how to classify spinal deformities, and other concepts that support safer treatment planning for complex spine surgery. He also pioneered the use of custom implant technologies for spinal deformity surgery as well as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) decision support tools for surgery on adults with scoliosis. His spinal deformity research has won numerous honors, including the SRS Russell A. Hibbs Award (the top prize in scoliosis surgery research) five times, SRS John H. Moe Award, SRS Louis A. Goldstein Award (twice) and SRS Thomas E. Whitecloud Award (twice). In addition, Ames founded the largest adult spinal deformity biomarker and tissue bank in the world, which supports research into new strategies for identifying risk and optimizing outcomes for aging patients undergoing spinal surgery.

Ames earned his medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He completed a residency in neurosurgery at the University of California, San Diego, where he served as chief resident. He completed a fellowship in complex spine surgery at the Barrow Neurological Institute. He has been at UCSF for more than 20 years.

Internationally recognized for his work in spinal tumors and deformities, Ames has published articles in more than 800 peer-reviewed publications. He serves as spine section lead editor for the journal Operative Neurosurgery. A globally honored lecturer, he has presented to meetings of national and regional spine societies and orthopedic associations all over the world, including those of Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Asia-Pacific, Japan and South Korea, and also to the Cervical Spine Research Society – Europe He has served as chairman for more than 300 national and international courses that teach surgical techniques for advanced tumors and deformities to neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons around the world. He has been a visiting professor at the Hospital for Special Surgery; Cleveland Clinic; Mayo Clinic; University of California, Los Angeles; and Massachusetts General Hospital. He serves on the SRS board as well as the steering committee of the AO Foundation's knowledge forum on adult spinal deformities.

San Francisco Magazine has named Ames to its top doctors list every year from 2015 to 2025, and Castle Connolly named him one of the country's top doctors for both neurosurgery and cancer from 2010 to 2025.

  • Board Certifications

    American Board of Neurological Surgery, Neurological Surgery, 2006

  • Fellowships

    Barrow Neurological Institute, Spine Surgery, 2002

  • Residencies

    University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Neurosurgery, 2001

  • Internship

    University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, Neurosurgery, 1995

  • Education

    University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine, 1994

  • Languages

    English

Where I see patients (2)

    My reviews

    4.7

    Overall Experience
    401 Ratings
    About our process
    Mar 14, 2025
    Dr. Ames and his assistant were very clear in explaining the initial steps that needed to be taken to evaluate my condition.
    Jan 26, 2025
    Dr Ames , nurses assistant and staff are amazing.
    Jan 04, 2025
    All of the Dr's I spoke with answered my questions but it was difficult to understand the answers as they were generally given in medical terms that I did not understand. When asked for clarification the answers were still given in terms I did not always understand.
    Dec 23, 2024
    I truly believe Dr. Ames saved my life.
    Dec 12, 2024
    I ABSOLUTELY AM VERY SATISFIED WITH EVERYONE @ UCSF, that has worked with me, over the years
    Nov 13, 2024
    Dr. Ames is a brilliant, amazing neurosurgeon who I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to work with. He is quite obviously in high demand which might explain why I found him difficult to reach and eager In appearance to rush his appointment time with me.
    Nov 12, 2024
    Dr. Ames was very helpful un explaining what was going on with my spine. He performed major spine surgery on me 2 years ago. I was quite bewildered that 2 years later I'm having pain again. Dr. Ames fully & In 'laymans' terms explained it to me. I was so appreciative and totally accepted his professional assessment. He listened to my concerns thoroughly. We actually discussed my treatment! A 2 way convo! Sr. Ames is one of the top Neurosurgeon in the USA. He however was humble & didn't make me feel 'small' & unknowingly of my conditions. He explained why I am in so .uch pain to the degree that I was very thankfully confident that I was 8n the right hands. I cannot praise Dr. Ames & his staff.
    Oct 24, 2024
    The. Doctor has not replied to my message.
    Oct 10, 2024
    I'm very happy with Dr. Christopher Ames. He's an outstanding doctor.
    Oct 08, 2024
    Very professional
    Sep 09, 2024
    Very pleased - follow up care is anticipated when appropriate
    Aug 28, 2024
    Dr Ames was very easily approachable. He was thorough and direct with his responses. Very empathetic as well as highly knowledgeable. I feel fortunate to have been referred to him for care.
    Aug 13, 2024
    He has referred me to another dr... Rightly so... As he explained
    Jul 31, 2024
    Dr. Ames and all of the clinicians did a great job of moving me through several tests for his study as well as x-ray. I felt well informed about the upcoming operation.
    Jul 23, 2024
    I cannot say how I will feel about the provider until I see him, and see the results of my surgery.
    Jul 17, 2024
    All was good.
    Jul 16, 2024
    Both physicians made me feel very comfortable.
    Jul 12, 2024
    I love Dr. Ames and all of his staff. I'm so impressed with the surgery he did on me! He redid all of the spinal fusions I've had over the years from other providers. I feel so lucky and grateful to have found Dr. Ames,. He's kind friendly and I believe the best surgeon anywhere around. I read his bio and was so impressed. Like I said, I'm so grateful to have found him and his staff
    Jul 11, 2024
    Dr. Ames is brilliant, thorough and comes across as genuinely caring. I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work with him!
    Jul 09, 2024
    Dr Ames and UCSF is by far the best surgeon and I have never received this level of care anywhere else.
    Jul 02, 2024
    Excellent team, extraordinary doctor!
    Jul 02, 2024
    Entire team does a great job!
    Jun 27, 2024
    Was very impressed
    Jun 26, 2024
    Crystal is great!!!.she has been informative, Kind, patient and supportive for years.same for Dr.Ames's.He gave me a good surgery In 2018 that others " wouldn't try" and took time to see me recently when he probably knew ahead of time no surgery was to be had,
    Jun 18, 2024
    This was my first year check-up so I am done and doing well. Dr. Ames is the best doctor!
    May 21, 2024
    Very caring and professional
    May 16, 2024
    Dr. Christopher Ames and his staff are amazing. I am so happy with the service I have received from Dr. Ames a very confident and professional doctor. Thank you.
    Apr 27, 2024
    The weight in the exam room was over an hour. The doctor brought two other doctors visiting from Spain into the room, which was fine. I felt he was talking to them a little bit more than me and my daughter. He became very focused on an issue that I did not come to discuss, and recommended another surgery possibly two. I was very disappointed with the appointment. I felt unheard, and my daughter felt the same way about my interaction with the doctor.
    Apr 22, 2024
    I had several questions which were not directly related to the spine surgery which I related to the PA. Dr. Ames was obviously on a tight schedule and I don't think he read the PA's notes thoroughly. However, it only took a few minutes to clarify my questions at which point he provided appropriate advice and a referral to another department.
    Apr 21, 2024
    I intentionally came back to Christopher Ames after four years of fighting with medical insurance to approve the surgery. I feel very confident in his care
    Apr 04, 2024
    So intelligent
    Apr 04, 2024
    Dr. Ames took time to listen to our concerns and provided options for my care. He carefully explained every detail and answered our questions thoroughly. He was calm and not preoccupied with rushing out of the room like so many of the physicians we've seen. He was confident in his recommendations and made us feel comfortable with this life changing decision going forward. He made sure that we understood that we could contact him through My Chart or have a video visit if we needed more assurance about the upcoming surgery.
    Apr 02, 2024
    Dr Ames and his staff were well informed about my conditions and very thorough with their explanations and expectations.
    Mar 28, 2024
    He was very nice. I did feel he hurried things along that I would have like to hear more about. That's all. He's a busy man and I did not take any offense.I am very grateful to have such a wonderful surgeon
    Mar 20, 2024
    I feel so extremely fortunate to have such a high quality doctor and person handling my care. The improvement in my quality of life cannot be expressed. His work on my back gave me a quality of life that I was afraid I would never have.
    Mar 15, 2024
    Dr. Ames went over my tests in detail with me. We discussed various treatment options. I now better understand the condition of my bones and how it affects possible surgical procedures and the likelihood of success of such procedures in improving my symptoms.
    Mar 12, 2024
    Always good care and communication,attention to detail
    Mar 08, 2024
    Each concern was addressed and planned for. Referred a friend already.
    Dec 19, 2023
    Excellent
    Dec 08, 2023
    All positive interactions with staff.
    Nov 23, 2023
    All positive thinking by the Dr. That's what I wanted to hear.
    Nov 19, 2023
    Was very heartened by the doctor consultation. So appreciated the research and thus the variance on the surgery recommended for my back issue.
    Oct 31, 2023
    Dr Ames was very good and explained my different options in a manner that I understood. I would recommend Dr Ames to family and friends.
    Oct 30, 2023
    Dr Ames and his staff have always demonstrated caring, professionalism and knowledge. I am extremely happy with my results following my surgeries.
    Oct 27, 2023
    I saw several people. All, except for Dr. Ames, were new to me. I'm not good at getting names written down. I'm hoping MyChart notes might the names. I should make certain I get them down, but things go quickly and I don't.
    Oct 12, 2023
    Dr. Ames was very helpful and listened to my needs and concerns. I appreciated his suggestion of further testing.
    Oct 09, 2023
    Dr. Ames is a beyond wonderful doctor & surgeon. I thoroughly trust him with my care. On rge day of my recent, doctor was on a tight schedule. Although it seemed like the time with him was short, I had the opportunity to speak In detail with his PA. I did not feel slighted or that I had unaddressed Issues or questions.
    Sep 19, 2023
    Dr Ames is so wonderful about explaining things in a way respectful manner.
    Sep 14, 2023
    I am not certain that UCSF really has an interest in my care, based on my experiences.
    Aug 15, 2023
    Dr Ames & teck people pa's ect are great.
    Aug 15, 2023
    Excellent doctors and staff! I am so grateful to this team for all they have done for me!
    Aug 11, 2023
    Incredible doctor. Feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to have him review my case
    Aug 02, 2023
    Excellent
    Jun 12, 2023
    From the beginning I've been given partially correct and/ or conflicting info regarding recovery and time lines...
    Jun 11, 2023
    Just overall unprofessional and a waste of time The service I received I could have gotten over the phone
    May 28, 2023
    Dr Ames and team gave me back my life! I stand straight after 30 yrs. His patience with my oddities and challenges thru recovery was amazing. Had leg issue he had never seen or knew why, but he was there every day for me!!!!!! Thank you Dr Ames!!!
    Decorative Caduceus

    Radiographic and Clinical Evaluation of Surgical Treatment for Cervical Deformity: A Multi-Cent...

    Self-reported pain in Head where 0=no pain/10=severe pain

    Recruiting

    Decorative Caduceus

    Complex Adult Deformity Surgery (CADS)

    Scoliosis specific patient reported outcome

    Recruiting

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