"As your Neurosurgeon, I am committed to providing you a personalized approach using highly skilled training, experience and advanced technology."
John D. Lipani, MD, PhD, FAANS, FACS
Complex and Minimally-Invasive
Spinal Surgery
Image-Guided
Brain Surgery
Non-Invasive
Brain and Spine
Radiosurgery
Cutting-Edge
Neurosurgery with
• Experience
• Compassion
• Excellence
Often, people who are struggling with chronic or recurring back or neck pain do not schedule a consultation with a spinal surgeon. The reason why is that they assume a surgeon will want to perform surgery. We understand why this misconception exists and continue to change it one patient at a time. If you have… Read More »
We understand that undergoing a spinal procedure is a big decision and one that is not made lightly. Patients who are considering surgery are typically experiencing chronic or debilitating pain. The decision to have surgery rides on the hope of resolving a substantial degree of that pain. So, the prospect of needing another surgery in… Read More »
Back pain is one of the most common complaints reported by adults today. It is the leading reason why people call off work and have difficulty performing daily tasks. It is a problem that, according to surveys, people experience more often than not in a six-month period. What is interesting about back pain is that,… Read More »
Chronic back pain affects millions of Americans. It is reportedly the leading reason that people miss work. When a person has pain that continues for several months, or years even, they may have a nagging question in the back of their minds: “do I need to have back surgery?” We see patients face this dilemma… Read More »
Spinal fusion surgery is commonly performed to reduce compression on a group of nerve roots and prevent excessive motion between two or more vertebrae. The fusion is achieved by placing bone graft material between the affected vertebrae. Surgery may be necessary when pressure caused by a herniated disc or other abnormality is causing severe, debilitating… Read More »
The low back consists of the spinal segment that begins at the pelvis and ends at the ribcage, or the thoracic cage. We refer to the low back as the lumbar spine, the area that consists of five vertebrae, or bones, which are separated by discs. Intervertebral discs have a fibrous outer shell that secures… Read More »
When conventional therapies fail to achieve the desired outcome for back or neck pain, it becomes necessary to consider specialized spinal care. Your primary doctor may advise you to consult with a spinal surgeon or a neurologist. In one instance – the spinal surgeon – the reason for consult may be clear. Here, we discuss… Read More »
Historically, spinal surgeries were performed using “open” techniques. Open surgery describes a process that involves larger incisions that may be several centimeters long. The incisions provide access to the internal structures on which surgery is performed. Over time, this manner of surgical performance has evolved into protocols that are less invasive. Now, minimally invasive techniques… Read More »
There are three primary segments to the spine: the cervical spine (neck), the thoracic spine (mid back) and the lumbar spine (lower back). In every segment, there is a specific number of bones, called vertebrae. In between vertebrae or discs, which absorb the shock of movement, are discs. Discs keep the bones from rubbing against… Read More »
All surgical procedures carry some degree of risk. Due to the complex nature of spinal surgery, associated risks may be compounded compared to surgical procedures performed on other parts of the body. Because spinal surgeries generally have an effectiveness rate of approximately 95%, communication between doctor and patient is paramount. Most spinal surgeries achieve the… Read More »
