Who is a spine and lumbar disc surgeon and specialist?

Typically, after completing a neurosurgery or orthopedic residency, some surgeons who are particularly interested in spinal surgery pursue specialized training exclusively in this field and often dedicate their entire careers to it. The main focus of spine surgeons and specialists in lumbar disc and spinal conditions is performing surgeries on the disc, spinal canal stenosis, and vertebral slippage, commonly referred to as degenerative diseases or disc rupture. Another significant aspect of their work is conducting surgeries on congenital abnormalities such as kyphosis, scoliosis, and meningomyelocele. Spinal and lumbar specialists also perform surgeries on spinal tumors, including tumors within the spinal cord and bone metastases to the vertebrae.

In addition, these surgeons treat spinal infections, including infections caused by tuberculosis, brucellosis (Malta fever), or common bacterial infections like staphylococcal infections. Aside from these procedures, spinal specialists also engage in minimally invasive treatments, such as endoscopic disc surgery, laser-assisted disc surgery, epidural injections in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar regions, as well as injections into the vertebral joints. One of the most challenging tasks for a spinal specialist is correcting patients who have become significantly bent forward, a condition referred to as sagittal imbalance in medical terms.

Moreover, spine surgeons face difficulties in performing surgeries to remove tumors in the pelvis, including those affecting the sacrum and pelvic bones. Some professionals in this field also implant spinal stimulators for intractable pain and metastasis-related pain in the vertebrae, as well as morphine pumps for unbearable pain and baclofen pumps to relieve severe muscle spasms and stiffness in the legs. Furthermore, spinal specialists now utilize advanced technology such as artificial, mobile discs.

Dr. Ghasem Es'haghi obtained his subspecialty in spinal surgery from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed his training under renowned professors such as Rothman and Simeone, who authored the first textbook on spinal surgery. Dr. Es'haghi contributed to the section on spinal tumors in the previous edition of this textbook. Thomas Jefferson University in Pennsylvania is one of the most advanced centers for spinal surgery in the world.