Neurosurgery at Providence Medical Group

Our innovative surgical interventions are recognized throughout Coastal Northern California as some of the most advanced in the region. These cutting-edge treatments allow us to provide care for a wide range of spine disorders and problems for adults of all ages.

The spine involves muscles, bones, and ligaments and is the most complex bone/joint system in the body. Because of this complexity, our expert team of neurosurgeons and mid-level practitioners all work together to create a personalized treatment and rehabilitation program uniquely designed to meet your needs.

As part of your treatment plan, our neurosurgery team will also involve physical therapists, pain management specialists, and rehabilitation experts to provide you the best, most advanced care possible.

Procedures Performed

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion

A surgical procedure performed on the upper spine to relieve pressure on one or more nerve roots, or the spinal cord. This procedure removes a diseased disc (discectomy) through the front (anterior) of the neck (cervical). After the disc is removed, the spine must be stabilized. This is accomplished using a cervical plate and screws (instrumentation) and fusion (bone graft). Fusion is similar to glue that hardens over time to create a solid construct, which stabilizes the spine.

Anterior Cervical Corpectomy

This surgery is done through a small incision in the front of the neck. The purpose of this surgery is to remove damaged and/or diseased bone and discs from the cervical spine. When the bone and discs are removed, the pressure on the spinal cord and spinal nerves is relieved. A bone graft is then placed in the space and it is held in place by a small metal plate and screws.

Cervical Laminectomy

A surgical procedure which is designed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root that is being caused by a slipped or herniated disk in the cervical spine. This procedure includes removal of a portion of the bone comprising a vertebra. A Posterior Cervical Laminotomy is a surgical procedure that is done on the back of the neck in order to relieve the pressure on a nerve in the neck. During this procedure, bone spurs or disc herniations are removed to take the pressure off the painful nerves Surgical instruments are also used to remove a small portion of the back of the spine (lamina).

Cervical Laminoplasty

When symptoms are severe or progressive, cervical laminoplasty surgery may be required to enlarge the spinal canal to relieve compression of the spinal cord. Surgical techniques used to perform laminoplasty surgery can vary and will depend on many factors, including the source of the spinal cord compression, the number of vertebral segments involved in the disease process, and the cervical alignment.

Cervical Foraminotomy

This surgery relieves neck and arm pain caused by compressed nerve roots from diseased discs. The surgery is done through a tiny incision in the back of the neck. The surgery removes bone and/or portions of the diseased disc.

Cervical Disc Replacement

Instead of fusing and eliminating movement in the joint space of the spine, the joint is replaced with an artificial disc, which allows for continued movement

Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)

Spinal fusion procedures, such as transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), are designed to help provide stability to the spinal bones. By utilizing lumbar fusion surgery, surgeons are able to create a solid bone between vertebrae to stop any painful movement that may be occurring. These surgical techniques are effective at reducing pain, as well as nerve irritation.

Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

In lumbar interbody fusion with cages, the disk is removed and titanium cages filled with bone are inserted between the vertebral bodies. This maintains disk space height and fuses the joint, thereby eliminating abnormal movement.

Lumbar Disc Replacement

When conservative measures have failed, fusion of the joint has been the treatment of choice for relief of pain. Fusion, however, limits flexibility of the spine. With artificial disk replacement, a patient maintains flexibility. Disk replacement also eliminates the need to obtain bone from the hip associated with fusion procedures.

Thoracic Laminectomy and Instrumentation

A surgical procedure similar to the cervical laminectomy. This surgical procedure is designed to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root in the thorasic (chest) area of the spine. Surgical instruments are used to remove the spinous processes and lamina in the back (posterior). This relieves the compression on the spinal cord.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)

These spine fusion procedures allow the surgeon to fuse the front and back of the spine through one incision on the back. When performing these fusions in the lumbar spine, two or more vertebral segments are joined together, eliminating movement in the joints. These procedures are performed to reduce the pain caused by movement and the associated compression of the nerve roots. The TLIF and PLIF procedures can be minimally invasive (should be emphasized), resulting in a reduction in the amount of muscle and skin that is damaged during surgery.

Lumbar Laminectomy, Fusion

The lamina is the part of the vertebra located in the back of the vertebral body. A lumbar laminectomy is a surgical procedure that removes a part or all of the lamina. This is a bone in the back of the spine and sometimes, it can cause compression of the spinal nerves in the lower back (spinal stenosis). Removal of this bone can relieve pressure on the spinal cord. Sometimes the spine segments also need to be fused together in order to stabilize the spine. This can be done with instrumentation and without surgical instrumentation (uninstumentation).

Lumbar and Cervical Micro-Discectomy

The disc is a combination of strong connective tissues holding one vertebra to the next. This connective tissue acts as a cushion between the vertebrae. When the disc loses its effectiveness as a cushion, a displacement of the disc's center (called a herniated or ruptured disc) may result, which can press on and irritate nerves. A surgical procedure called a discectomy or partial discectomy is performed and part of the herniated disc is removed.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally invasive spine surgery uses small instruments and sometimes a thin, telescope-like instrument known as an endoscope. These instruments are inserted through small incisions. Small surgical instruments may then be passed through one or more additional half-inch incisions. Typically, minimally invasive spinal surgery allows for the same outcomes as conventional spine surgery but the incision is smaller which allows for a shorter recovery time and reduced postoperative pain.

Thoracic and Lumbar Vertebral Body Replacement (Anterior)

This procedure is used to reduce the pressure on the spinal cord from either a tumor or a fracture. Surgical instruments are used to remove the broken or diseased bone. Then a metal cage is placed between the remaining bones to act as a support for the spine. Screws are placed in the adjoining healthy bones (vertebrae). The screws are connected together with metal rods.

Dynamic Stabilizations

Dynamic stabilization in the lumbar spine is performed in an attempt to reduce pressure across the intervertebral disc in order to relieve pain and limit degeneration, while preserving motion. Dynamic stabilization combines the surgical approach of traditional fusion with flexible materials that stabilize the spine and preserve anatomical structures.

Vertebralplasty/Kyphoplasty

A vertebral compression fracture (VCF) occurs when the vertebral body fractures and collapses. Balloon Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive treatment in which special balloons are used to gently elevate the bone fragments in an attempt to return them to the correct position. Compared to the standard vertebroplasty procedure, kyphoplasty adds the introduction and inflation of the balloon. This provides the advantage of allowing the cement to be injected into the space created by the balloon under a lower pressure than would otherwise be required. Kyphoplasty also provides, in some cases, the ability to raise the collapsed vertebra and return it to its normal position.

Our Providers

Our Providers

Humboldt Providers

Our Humboldt Provider

John Aryanpur, MD
John Aryanpur, MD
Neurosurgery, Hospital Medicine
P: (707) 445-8121
City:  Eureka
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Sonoma and Napa Providers

Our Sonoma and Napa Provider

Rasha S. Germain, MD
Rasha S. Germain, MD
Neurosurgery
P: (707) 387-3922
City:  Santa Rosa
5 out of 5
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Our Locations

Eureka - Neurosurgery

Eureka - Neurosurgery

Address
2675 Harris St.

Eureka, CA 95501
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Hours

Mon - Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

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Santa Rosa - Neurosurgery

Santa Rosa - Neurosurgery

Address
525 Doyle Park Dr.
Suite 102
Santa Rosa, CA 95405
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