Spine surgeons diagnose and treat conditions that affect the neck, back, and spine—from herniated discs and scoliosis to spinal arthritis and fractures. At Mass General Brigham, our experts offer both surgical and non-surgical care to relieve pain, restore movement, and protect spinal health.
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Advanced spine care for every patient
At Mass General Brigham, our spine surgeons combine advanced orthopedic expertise with the latest surgical techniques to reduce pain, restore movement, and help you return to the activities you love.
We provide comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment for the full spectrum of spine and neck conditions, from common back pain to debilitating spinal disorders. With all the resources you need under one roof, our team of surgeons will work with a broad multidisciplinary team that can support every aspect of your care, no matter how routine or complex.
What spine conditions do we treat?
Our orthopedic spine surgeons provide personalized care that is tailored to your surgical plan. Most patients have already completed physical therapy and physiatry care. When symptoms continue, they are referred to our team for a surgical evaluation or for guidance on the next steps in their care.
We treat a wide range of conditions in patients of all ages, including:
- Herniated and bulging discs
- Kyphosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Sciatica and nerve compression
- Scoliosis (adult and pediatric)
- Spinal fractures
- Spinal stenosis
- Traumatic spine injuries
- Work-related back injuries
- Chronic neck or back pain
- Degenerative disc disease
Our neck and spine care team
Our spine team includes adult and pediatric spine surgeons who work with physiatrists, physical therapists, nurses, pain management specialists, and rehabilitation experts across Mass General Brigham. Together, they deliver coordinated, whole-person care from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.
With deep expertise and a collaborative approach, our spine care team is dedicated to helping you achieve lasting relief, improved mobility, and a better quality of life.
What are my treatment options?
Nonsurgical treatments for spine conditions
Not all spine problems require surgery. Many effective treatments are led by our spine physiatrists. These are physicians who specialize in non-surgical care for the spine, muscles, and nerves.
Depending on your diagnosis and lifestyle, your personalized care plan may include:
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation to strengthen muscles and improve posture
- Image-guided injections or nerve blocks to reduce inflammation and pain
- Biologics treatments to stimulate healing in injured tissues
- Bracing or assistive devices for alignment and support
- Medications to relieve symptoms
- Activity modifications and ergonomic guidance to prevent re-injury
Many of these treatments are led by our spine physiatrists. These are physicians who specialize in non-surgical care for the spine, muscles, and nerves.
Our goal is to reduce pain, improve function, and help you maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.
Orthopedic surgery for spine conditions
When surgery is the best option, our spine surgeons perform advanced procedures such as:
- Spinal fusion and decompression surgery
- Disc replacement
- Corrective surgery for scoliosis and spinal conditions or deformities
- Fracture repair and stabilization
Our team uses minimally invasive, robot-assisted, and image-guided techniques to enhance precision, minimize recovery time, and preserve motion whenever possible.
Coordinated care before, during, and after surgery
From your first consultation through recovery, we provide seamless, multidisciplinary care. Surgeons, physiatrists, anesthesiologists, and rehabilitation specialists work together to prepare you for surgery, manage pain effectively, and guide your rehabilitation.
Because all of your care happens within Mass General Brigham, your providers share information seamlessly, helping you recover faster and easier.
Why choose Mass General Brigham for spine care?
As a leading healthcare system, Mass General Brigham unites nationally and internationally recognized spine experts from some of the best orthopedic hospitals in the area—including Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Spaulding Rehabilitation, and our community hospitals. With locations throughout New England, we make it easy to access advanced care close to home.
When you choose Mass General Brigham for spine care, you benefit from:
- A collaborative team of surgeons, physiatrists, nurses and physical therapists with expertise in spine conditions
- All spine care services in one integrated system with no need for outside referrals, even for the most complex cases
- Access to advanced treatments such as proton beam therapy for spinal tumors
- Minimally invasive options and the latest surgical technology and robot-assisted spinal procedures
- Comprehensive, multidisciplinary care from diagnosis through rehabilitation
- A proven record of excellent outcomes and high patient satisfaction
- Convenient access to routine spine surgery and nonsurgical care at our community hospitals, with complex procedures performed at our academic medical centers
Frequently asked questions
You should see a spine surgeon if your pain or symptoms (numbness, tingling or weakness) has not improved after a thorough course of non-operative treatment. Our surgeons evaluate your symptoms and imaging to find the cause of your pain and recommend the most effective treatment.
Spine physiatrists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and treating spine, muscle, and nerve conditions using nonsurgical approaches. They focus on reducing pain, improving mobility, and helping patients avoid or delay surgery when possible.
At Mass General Brigham, our physiatrists collaborate closely with orthopedic and neurosurgical spine specialists. They may recommend therapies such as:
- Targeted physical rehabilitation
- Image-guided spinal injections
- Nerve blocks
- Other minimally invasive procedures to relieve pain and restore function
Recovery varies depending on the procedure and your overall health. Some minimally invasive surgeries allow patients to return home the same day, while more complex operations may require longer recovery and rehabilitation. Our team provides detailed recovery plans and ongoing support to help you safely return to normal activity.
