Spine care

Spine specialists and surgery in Austin and Central Texas

Orthopedic spine doctors at our hospitals use advanced tools and techniques to treat conditions affecting the spine. St. David’s Healthcare also offers special rehabilitation programs to help people who have experienced a debilitating injury or illness return to an active life, among other specialized care for the back, neck and spine.

Many of our hospitals throughout Central Texas offer spine care, including physical and occupational therapy programs. We also have a dedicated spine and sports therapy program in Austin. Find a location near you.

Advanced care for back and neck pain

Patients at our hospitals have access to board-certified spine surgeons. These medical professionals can treat chronic back and neck pain as well as serious injuries, such as trauma. However, in many cases, spine surgery is not needed.

Your spine doctor will review noninvasive treatment options, such as pain medication and physical therapy, to manage your symptoms. You may also only need to rest and refrain from certain activities, allowing your body to heal naturally. These treatment options may be combined with surgery, depending on your specific diagnosis.

Conditions we treat

St. David’s Healthcare offers orthopedic care for various conditions causing back and neck pain. Some of the many things our orthopedic hospital teams treat include:

• Cervical disc disease: The deterioration or breaking down of the discs in the cervical spine
• Degenerative disc disease: The deterioration or breaking down of the discs between the vertebrae
• Facet syndrome: Pain resulting from the facet joints
• Herniated discs: The soft center of a spinal disc pushes through the tougher exterior casing, which can press on nearby nerves
• Postural syndrome: Pain or discomfort resulting from the body's poor positioning)
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction: Improper movement of the joints at the bottom of the spine, which can cause inflammation or lower back/leg pain
• Sciatica/lumbar radiculopathy: A disease affecting the lumbar spinal nerve root, typically caused by a compression of the spinal nerve root)
• Thoracic outlet syndrome: Compression of the blood vessels and/or nerves in the space between your collarbone and first rib

Spine Surgery

While your physician will initially explore noninvasive options, surgery might be advised for various conditions and injuries. Spinal conditions, including spinal deformity, spinal trauma and some degenerative spine conditions, such as stenosis and herniated disks, often require surgical treatment. For the best outcome, it makes sense to consult one of our spine surgeons with extensive experience.

During surgery, your spine surgeon may employ advanced image guidance technology. This system and other robot-assisted technologies allow physicians to guide instruments safely. These tools enhance the efficiency and precision of spine repairs, surpassing traditional methods.

If you think you may be a candidate for spine surgery, contact your primary care physician or find the right spine surgeon for you.

Specialized expertise in spinal deformity surgery

At St. David’s, our spinal surgeons are committed to delivering exceptional care for the complete spectrum of spinal deformities. Whether it's diagnosis, treatment, or postoperative care, we provide comprehensive and expert services for those undergoing complex spinal deformity surgery for conditions such as scoliosis, kyphosis, spinal stenosis, herniated disks and other degenerative spine conditions.

Spinal deformity, including spondylolisthesis, scoliosis and kyphosis can be present in adults and children. These issues and related conditions can be very complex and require ongoing care. Our spine care specialists care for all ages and have years of experience and training in the treatment and surgery of spinal deformity.

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis

Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis are common causes of low back pain in children and adolescents.

Spondylolysis is a weakness or stress fracture in one of the vertebrae, the small bones that make up the spinal column. This condition can occur in a small percentage of children with no known injury.

Spondylolisthesis refers to the displacement of a vertebra in which the bone slides out of its proper position onto the bone below it. It is often the result of a break or fracture. If excessive movement causes the bone to press on the nerves, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis refers to a sideways curve in the backbone (or spine). It is often diagnosed in childhood or in teens.

The angle of the curve may vary, and any curve measuring more than 10 degrees on an X-ray is considered scoliosis. But anything that measures more than 10 degrees on an X-ray is considered scoliosis. Doctors may use the letters "C" and "S" to describe the curve.

Degenerative scoliosis affects adults, developing in the lower back as the disks and joints of the spine begin to wear from age.

Kyphosis

Kyphosis usually refers to an abnormally curved spine – or “hunchback”. It's most common in older women resulting from osteoporosis.

Many with kyphosis experience back pain and stiffness. Others have no symptoms other than an exaggerated forward rounding of the back.

When kyphosis is severe, it can cause extreme pain and disfiguration. When interventions such as pain medication or physician therapy are ineffective, surgery may be required.

Spine revision surgery

In some cases, a surgery may not yield the expectations of the patient or the surgeon. Revision spine surgeries are typically performed on prior surgeries of the neck or the lower back and are usually more complicated than primary spine surgery.

Most revision spine surgeries are not the result of a surgeon’s previous technical failure, but more likely to be caused by other issues such as issues with recovery, infection, or even a wrong initial diagnosis.

Our spinal surgeons specialize in both complex and routine spinal revision procedures and are here to help patients find relief from debilitating pain of a failed back or neck procedure.

Spine rehabilitation

Physical and occupational therapy is an important part of treatment following a spine injury or surgery. During physical therapy, you will learn exercises to help with strength, mobility and balance. During occupational therapy, you will regain skills needed to complete activities of daily living at work and home.