Spine Service
What Sets Us Apart?
Every patient who walks through our doors benefits from a personalized education regarding their own back or neck condition and the treatment options available. Our experts are trained in the latest techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders, conditions and injuries of the spine. Together, we determine the source of your pain and treat it as effectively as possible.
Our collaborative team includes spinal surgeons, non-operative spine specialists, physical therapists, radiologists and pain management experts. We treat disc ruptures, arthritis of the spine, scoliosis, spinal fractures and tumors, and infections that affect the back and neck. Acute and chronic pain solutions can include lifestyle changes, medications, therapy, injections, implanted devices and surgery.
We were the first hospital in Maryland to earn Advanced Certification from The Joint Commission for Spine Surgery. In addition, MedStar Union Memorial is a Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Distinction Center+ for Spine Surgery.
Our Specialists
Related Conditions
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Spinal Infection (Vertebral Osteomyelitis)
Spine Infections are also referred to as Vertebral Osteomyelitis and are fairly rare as cause of back pain in young healthy people. The elderly and immunocompromised are at risk for this type of spinal condition.
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Sciatica
Sciatica occurs when a herniated disk puts pressure on or damages the sciatic nerve, which supports the muscles and controls sensation in the leg and foot. Those with sciatica often feel leg cramping, burning, weakness, numbness, and tingling as well…
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Pinched Nerve
The nerves running along the thoracic and lumbar areas of your spine may become irritated due to disc material bulging out from between the vertebrae. The associated pain may or may not radiate out to other parts of the body.
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Kyphosis
Kyphosis causes your spine to curve so much that your body is hunched and rounded. Postural kyphosis results from bad posture and slouching and is often less severe. Other types of kyphosis can cause deformities to individual vertebrae and more…
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Back Fracture (break)
The spinal vertebrae are spongier and less dense than the other bones in your body in order to accommodate movements like bending and twisting. This also means they are more vulnerable to fracture. A spinal fracture in the thoracic or…
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Spinal Tumor
Tumors that grow on or near the bones of the spine or around the spinal cord can disrupt the line of communication between the spinal cord and the brain. Spinal tumors can originate in the spine, or spread to the…
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Scoliosis
Idiopathic Scoliosis- A sideways curvature of the thoracic and or lumbar spine. Typically in an “S” shape. Adult Scoliosis- This condition can occur when scoliosis in adolescence is untreated or not properly treated it can continue into adulthood causing back…
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Adolescent Scoliosis
If the spine grows unnaturally, this curvature can affect a person’s posture for life. If your pediatrician has recommended you see an orthopaedist who specializes in scoliosis, contact a MedStar Health fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon with expertise in this area to…
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Spondylolisthesis (stress fracture causing vertebrae to slip out of position)
Lumbar Spondylolisthesis In spondylolisthesis, one of the vertebra in the spine slips forward and out of place. This may occur anywhere along the spine, but is most common in the lower back. In some people, this causes no symptoms at…
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Back Pain
At MedStar Union Memorial Orthopaedics, our goal is to relieve your back pain and restore your ability to enjoy your favorite activities. One of the best ways to ensure you get an accurate and complete diagnosis is to describe your…
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Herniated Disc (Back)
Lumbar Herniated Disc Many patients with back pain, leg pain, or weakness of the lower extremity muscles are diagnosed with a herniated disc. When a disc herniation occurs, the cushion that sits between the spinal vertebrae is pushed outside its…
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Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis A common cause of lower back and leg pain is lumbar spinal stenosis. As we age, our spines change. The normal effects of aging can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal. This condition is called spinal…
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Neck Fracture (break)
The spinal vertebrae are spongier and less dense than the other bones in your body in order to accommodate movements like bending and twisting. This also means they are more vulnerable to fracture. A spinal fracture occurs when one of…
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Cervical Stenosis
Cervical stenosis is a common cause of neck pain, especially in older patients. It is caused by the narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck area or upper part of the spine. This narrowing places pressure on the spinal…
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Herniated Disc (Neck)
Between the spinal bones (vertebrae) in your neck are pads of cartilage called discs. Natural use or strain can cause a disc to rupture (leak) or slip out of place (herniate). When a disc weakens, parts of it can shift…
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Related Treatments
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Spinal Deformity Surgery
Spine Deformity Surgery If you or your child suffers from a spinal deformity, the orthopaedic spine surgeons at MedStar Union Memorial will work to correct the problem with braces and other non-surgical approaches. In most cases, we try not to…
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Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty
Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty are minimally invasive spine surgery procedures used to relieve the pain from a vertebral fracture, especially if it does not improve over a number of weeks with pain medication and treatment with a brace. Both vertebroplasty and…
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Minimally-Invasive Techniques
During minimally invasive techniques, MedStar Union Memorial orthopaedic surgeons make a small incision and use advanced computer technology and specialized instruments to repair back and spine conditions. In microscopic surgery, we combine minimally invasive techniques with highly sensitive, cutting-edge surgical…
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Lumbar Total Disc Replacement
The discs in your neck and back are located between each vertebra (bone) of the spine. They act as a cushion between the vertebrae, allowing flexibility and full range of movement of the spinal column. Due to disease or degeneration…
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Lumbar Posterior Discectomy
Lumbar Posterior Discectomy Posterior lumbar discectomy is a minimally invasive procedure performed to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the lower spine. The surgeon approaches the spine from the posterior, through the back muscles. The disc is accessed by…
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Spinal Fusion
Spinal Fusion is a procedure that is used treat back pain by fusing two or more vertebrae together so there is no longer any motion between them, increasing the stability of the spine. It can be performed on the cervical,…
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Lumbar Laminectomy and Discectomy
The traditional way of treating a herniated disc is to perform a laminotomy and discectomy. This minimally invasive procedure is performed through an incision down the center of the back over the area of the herniated disc. The muscles are…
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Lumbar Laminectomy
A lumbar laminectomy reduces the pressure on the spinal nerves and the irritation and inflammation of the spinal nerves. To perform a lumbar spine laminectomy, an incision is made down the center of the lower back and the muscles are…
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Posterior Lumbar Fusion
Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure used to correct problems with the small bones in vertebrae. The basic idea is to fuse together the painful vertebrae so that they heal into a single, solid bone. In a posterior approach to…
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Anterior Cervical Fusion
Anterior cervical fusion is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease found in the neck. The procedure is performed through a small incision in the front of the neck. The surgeon makes a…
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