Spine Treatments

Alpine Orthopaedic & Spine, P.C. provides a broad spectrum of orthopedic spine treatments.

Our Approach

Alpine Orthopaedic and Spine in Spokane specializes in both simple and complex spine conditions, in all anatomical areas of the spine, including cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacro-coccygeal zones with optimal approaches and validated techniques. Our spine specialties include: herniated disc, spondylosis, pinched nerve, spinal deformity, spinal malignancy, spinal cancer, degenerative disc disease, spine fracture, compression fracture, osteoporosis fracture, adjacent segment disease, neck pain, back pain, failed back syndrome and spinal nonunion.

Spine Treatments & Procedures

Adult spine problems encompass five main areas: degenerative, trauma, tumors, deformity, and infections. With his training, Dr. Schmitz at Alpine Orthopedic and Spine in Spokane addresses all of these aspects of spine care. The non-operative techniques that are utilized to address patients with spine problems involve consulting pain and injection specialists, neurologists, physiatrist’s, physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, athletic trainers, and other qualified professionals in the Spokane, WA, area in an attempt to avoid surgical intervention when it is appropriate to do so. If these techniques are not successful or if the condition simply does not lend itself to non-operative management, then surgical intervention with spine surgeon, Dr. Schmitz at Alpine Orthopedic and Spine, is considered. Simple and complex spine conditions are treated by the clinic in all anatomical areas of the spine, including cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacro-coccygeal zones with optimal approaches and validated techniques.

Lumbar Spine Fusions

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure that corrects problems with the small bones of the spine. A spinal Fusion procedure fuses the painful vertebrae together so that they heal into a single, solid bone.

Back Pain Surgery

Surgery for lower back pain may be considered if severe lower back pain does not get better after a 6 to12-week course of nonsurgical treatments. Back pain surgery is usually due to damage to the intervertebral discs, compression of nerve roots, and improper movement of the spinal joints.

Posterior Cervical Fusions

Posterior Cervical Fusion (PCF) is a procedure that is performed to surgically mend and stabilize two (or more) cervical spine bones together along the sides of the bone. A bone graft, titanium plate or screws are placed along the sides the spine, which over time, fuses (mends) together to relieve neck pain.

Total Disk Replacements

In disk replacement surgery, worn-out or damaged disk material between the vertebrae is removed and replaced with a synthetic disk. Disk replacement surgery relieves back pain while maintaining more natural, normal motion.

Lumbar Disc Disease Treatments

Most degenerative disc disease can be successfully treated with non-surgical care that sometimes includes medication to control inflammation and pain, physical therapy and exercise.

Thoracic Spine Surgery

The thoracic spine is the area of the spine that is below the neck but above the lower back. There are a number of conditions that may affect the thoracic spine, and they may occur as a result of physical trauma, dysfunction, disease or fracture but one of the most common injuries is a herniated disc.

Relief Of Back Discomfort

Surgery for back pain is recommended when non-surgical treatments are not effective for alleviating back pain or helping issues with mobility and your quality of life. Alpine Orthopedic and Spine in Spokane, WA, will work conservatively when warranted in order to avoid the need for surgery, but sometimes surgical treatment is the answer when difficult issues affect the health of the spine and the patient’s overall quality of life.

Relief Of Neck Pain

Surgery for neck pain is recommended when non-surgical treatments are not effective for alleviating neck pain or helping issues with mobility and your quality of life. Alpine Orthopedic and Spine in Spokane, WA, will work conservatively when warranted in order to avoid the need for surgery, but sometimes surgical treatment is the answer when difficult issues affect the health of the neck and spine as well as the patient’s overall quality of life.