Spine care

Spine specialists, who can be orthopedists or neurosurgeons, diagnose and treat injuries, trauma and diseases related to the spine. Spine care doctors also offer care for herniated discs, nerve damage, sciatica, neck pain or chronic back pain.

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Spine specialists in Western North Carolina

Our spine doctors help diagnose and treat common and complex conditions through personalized treatments.

At Mission Health Physicians, we know the importance of restoring function to your spine. Our teams work to understand the complexities of your condition so they can implement a care plan that maximizes function, independence and daily living.

Spine conditions we treat

As a major part of your body, your spine needs detailed care to ensure it remains vital. Our experienced specialists offer that care, treating conditions such as:

Cerebral aneurysms
Cervical fractures
Cervical stenosis
Cervical tumors
Cervical radiculopathy
Degenerative disc disease
Failed back syndrome
Fragility fractures
Herniated discs
Lumbar radiculopathy
Osteoarthritis
Sacroiliac joint pain

Sciatica
Scoliosis
Spinal arteriovenous malformation
Spinal compression fractures
Spinal infections
Spinal instability
Spinal tumors
Spinal stenosis
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolysis
Vertebral compression fractures

Spine care treatments we offer

A healthy spine makes a major difference in everyday life. We offer individualized services to benefit your spine health, so that your daily routine can remain yours.

Diagnosing your spine condition

We take a hands-on approach to assessing your symptoms, starting with a consultation. Our physiatrists use the latest advanced diagnostic procedures, including:

Computerized tomography (CT) scans
Diagnostic carotid and vertebral angiographies
Electromyography
Fluoroscopic epidural injections
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Nerve conduction studies
Nerve root block injections
Nerve stimulation
Spinal biopsies
Ultrasound guided muscle injections
Ultrasound imaging

Our team oversees your care and works with physical therapists, neurologists, spine surgeons and other specialists. We also bring in a team of Registered Nurse Navigators to help with continuity of care and guidance throughout your specialized treatment plan.

Noninvasive and minimally invasive spine care

Our team of physiatrists, imaging specialists, orthopedic spine surgeons, physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists always opts for the least invasive spine care options to treat your back or neck pain.

We offer a variety of nonsurgical and minimally invasive procedures, including:

Botulinum toxin injections (often referred to as “Botox,” the most common brand of this type of treatment)
Braces for osteoarthritis
Holistic approaches and treatments
Large and small joint spine injections
Non-opioid pain medication management
Physical therapy exercises and goal specific care plans
Spinal nerve stimulators, blocks and ablation procedures
Trigger point injections
Ultrasound and fluoroscope-guided spine injections
Vertebral augmentation

Neurointerventional spine services

Our neurointerventionalists specialize in vertebral compression fractures, which occur when the bones in your spine collapse. You might be at an increased risk for this if you have osteoporosis, a bone disease that results in weakened bones. Vertebral fractures might cause severe pain and limited mobility, so it’s important to treat them quickly.

Vertebral augmentation, also known as a verebroplasty, is a minimally invasive procedure that allows you to go home on the same day as your surgery. During the procedure, a needle is used to inject a cement-like substance into a fractured vertebrae to help stabilize the fracture.

Treatments for complex disorders

Our neurointerventional radiologists perform minimally invasive procedures to evaluate and treat diseases of the brain, neck and spine. These techniques have had a major, positive impact on disorders, such as:

Acute strokes
Arteriovenous malformations
Carotid artery stenosis
Cerebral aneurysms
Chronic subdural hematomas
Spinal vertebral tumors

Physical therapy

Your spinal issue may require physical therapy. To get your core strength and motion back, our physical therapists work with you to incorporate the most effective and up-to-date treatment techniques. Your plan will be customized for you, depending on the type or severity of your condition, including pain relief or circulation improvement.

Our physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists may use a combination of: