Spine and Nerve Procedures

Advanced Care for Spine and Peripheral Nerve Conditions

At Spine Care Specialists of Alaska, we provide advanced surgical treatments for both spinal and peripheral nerve conditions. Led by board-certified neurosurgeon Dr. John Lopez, our team delivers precise, minimally invasive procedures that relieve pain, restore function, and improve quality of life for our patients across Alaska.

Arthroplasty (Artificial Disc Replacement)

Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) is a motion-preserving alternative to spinal fusion. During ADR, the damaged disc is replaced with an artificial implant designed to maintain natural movement and alignment in the spine.

Benefits:

  • Maintains natural spine mobility

  • Effective pain relief and improved function

  • Faster recovery compared to traditional fusion procedures

Thoracic Decompression

Thoracic decompression surgery relieves pressure on the spinal cord or nerves in the mid-back region. This procedure is often used to treat herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or trauma-related compression in the thoracic spine.

Benefits:

  • Significant reduction of nerve pain

  • Restoration of mobility and function

  • Precise, targeted decompression for safer results

Ulnar Nerve Decompression

Ulnar Nerve Decompression addresses nerve entrapment at the elbow, commonly known as cubital tunnel syndrome. This minimally invasive procedure relieves compression on the ulnar nerve, reducing pain, tingling, and numbness in the arm and hand.

Benefits:

  • Relieves pressure on the ulnar nerve

  • Improves sensation and strength in the hand and fingers

  • Minimally invasive with shorter recovery times

Carpal Tunnel Release

Carpal tunnel syndrome can cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hands due to pressure on the median nerve. At our clinic, we perform endoscopic carpal tunnel release — a minimally invasive approach that uses a small incision to free the nerve.

Benefits:

  • Minimally invasive with smaller incision

  • Faster recovery and less post-operative discomfort

  • Significant improvement in hand strength and function

Neurosurgery

BrainLab Surgical Suite

BrainLab Curve, Cirq, X-Loop, and Virtual Sight: Advanced robotic and imaging technology for precise surgical planning and execution, enhancing surgical outcomes and patient recovery.

Advanced Surgical Techniques

Robotic Assistance: Utilizing robotic technology to perform complex spinal surgeries with increased accuracy and reduced recovery times.

Minimally Invasive Techniques: Focused on reducing patient recovery times and improving surgical outcomes with the latest in minimally invasive surgical technology.

Virtual Planning for Precision

3D Virtual Planning: Dr. Lopez uses 3D imaging to plan surgeries, guiding patients through the process and ensuring the highest precision during operations.