Martin Herman, MD, neurosurgeon and spine expert, with patient in clinic

Schedule an Appointment Call Us: 773-207-6963

Expert Back and Spine Care: Appointments Within 48 Hours

Identifying back and spine conditions early is important. At the UChicago Medicine Spine Center, our expert team of neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, physiatrists, pain specialists and therapists work together to provide our patients with complete care. We’re also proud to be designated a Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Distinction® Center for Spine Care. A designation that recognizes our commitment to evidence-based care, patient safety, and strong outcomes. Schedule with one of our experts today and be seen within 48 hours.

Start Your Back and Spine Care with UChicago Medicine

UChicago Medicine Spine Center is a place where a multidisciplinary team of experts share ideas and work together to provide you with the best possible back and spine care. If you are struggling with symptoms of spine, back and/or neck conditions that:

Last several weeks after home treatment without improving
Limit your mobility
Cause weakness, tingling or numbing sensations in arms and/or legs
Develop new bladder/bowel control issues

You can schedule online or call 773-207-6963 to make an appointment. Find a spine expert at a convenient location near you.

Common and Complex Spine Conditions

Spinal cord tumors
Spinal osteoporosis
Spine fractures
Herniated discs
Degenerative disc disorders
Spondylolisthesis
Scoliosis
Spinal stenosis
Spinal deformities
Spinal tumors
Neurofibromatosis
Failed back surgery syndrome

Targeted Treatments for Back and Spine Disorders

Our team performs nonoperative treatments, minimally invasive surgery and traditional surgery for spine patients. We personalize care based on your diagnosis, symptoms and goals, focusing on pain relief, improved mobility, and restoring the activities that matter most to you.

Nonsurgical Spine Care

Our nonoperative team will assess your condition and provide nonsurgical treatments:

Comprehensive physical therapy (PT): Daily exercises at home and with a physical therapist to strengthen back muscles, increase flexibility and relieve chronic back pain
Pain medication management: Oral painkillers or anti-inflammatory medication for back or spine arthritis and pain
Steroid injection therapy: A lumbar epidural steroid injection (ESI) to relieve back pain from a herniated disk and spinal stenosis
Joint injections: Medication administered directly to the joints to target spine pain and inflammation
Nerve blocks: An injection of nerve-numbing medication

Spine Surgery

Our nationally recognized spine surgeons will work with you to develop a surgical plan that best suits your spine problem(s). Our spine surgeons perform:

Robotic surgery with computer-assisted navigation: Using special software and imaging, surgeons can create a detailed 3D model of the patient's spine and perform surgery with enhanced precision and safety.
Cervical disk replacement: When one or more of the vertebrae located at the top of the spine that forms the neck has damage or the cervical disk is diseased, it can be replaced with an artificial one. This is also known as cervical arthroplasty.
Microdiscectomy or laminectomy: A minimally invasive surgical procedure to alleviate pain and symptoms caused by a herniated disk, injury, tumor or spinal stenosis. Our surgeons use special tubes and a microscope to examine the disk and nerves. This allows our surgeons to make a smaller cut.
Traditional spine surgery: Open spine surgery is used for some complex back or neck problems that may not be suitable for minimally invasive techniques.
Spinal fusion: A procedure to join two or more vertebrae. This creates a solid bone structure to eliminate motion in that area and can alleviate pain and prevent further movement or shifting of the spine.
Vertebroplasty: A minimally invasive procedure used to stabilize vertebral fractures caused by osteoporosis, spinal tumors or trauma.