How Can We Help You?

   
 

"We exist to provide our patients the best spine care available using the most current technologies to achieve the best result.  At the same time, we approach each case conservatively, exhausting all non-surgical options before considering surgery."
                                                            - Richard R.M. Francis, M.D.
 

Whether it’s a spine deformity, spine injury or degenerative disease, we are confident we can find a solution that will allow you to quickly return to your normal life.  Most spine problems can be treated with conservative measures such as physical therapy, steroid injections, bracing and weight loss.  We focus on these options before discussing surgery.  We are proud to say that fewer than 10% of our patients require surgery.

We commit to offering the latest medical advancements—applying new technologies not just because they are different, but because they bring an added benefit to our patients.  If you do need surgery, it has been proven that choosing a surgeon who routinely performs and perfects your procedure further insures your successful outcome. Because Dr. Francis specializes only in the treatment of the spine, and because we receive so many surgical referrals from around the world, we represent the highest level of technological expertise in spine surgery. We will be happy to share with you our expertise in your particular treatment and/or surgical intervention.

At Spine Associates, we provide minimally invasive procedures to combat spine and nerve conditions, often times the cause of neck and back pain. Treatment options include Foraminotomy, Percutaneous Discectomy, Facet Thermal Ablation and Fusion alternatives. These procedures are offered to treat spine conditions such as back pain, herniated discs, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, arthritis of the spine, bone spurs, pinched nerves, scar tissue, foraminal stenosis, stenosis, facet disease and sciatica.

Conditions Treated by Dr. Francis

  • Cervical Spine Disorders
  • Thoracic Spine Disorders
  • Lumbar Spine Disorders
  • Coccydynia
  • Degenerative Disc Disease
  • Herniated Disc
  • Bulging Disc
  • Ligament Strain
  • Facet Syndrome
  • Foraminal Narrowing
  • Pinched Nerve
  • Neuropathic pain
  • Bone Spurs
  • Muscle Strain
  • Myelopathy
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Sciatica (Radiculopathy)
  • Scoliosis and Deformity
  • Stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Spine Tumors
  • Failed Open Back Surgery
  • Trauma
  • Whiplash
  • Back Pain

 


Pediatrics is a large focus of our practice.
Dr. Francis takes the time to explain conditions and treatments
in terms kids understand and in a manner that helps
them navigate their treatment to a successful outcome.


Treatments for the Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Spine

  • Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement
  • Cervical Artificial Disc Replacement
  • Revision Spine Surgery
  • Microdiscectomy
  • Disectomy
  • Laminotomy
  • Corpectomy
  • Coccygectomy
  • Kyphoplasty
  • Vertebroplasty
  • Laminaplasty
  • Foramenoplasty
  • Spinal Fusion
  • Facet Debridement
  • Spinous Process Release

Leaders in Spinal Medicine

Specialized exclusively in spine care, we lead the way using minimally invasive and microscopic techniques that increase our patients’ functionality and helps them quickly return to an active, pain-free lifestyle.

Leaders in Motion-Sparing Technologies

Charite Artificial Lumbar Disc Prestige Artificial Cervical Disc
Both the Charite Artificial Lumbar Disc and the Prestige Artificial Cervical Disc function similarly to a natural disc. Always at the forefront of spine technology, Dr. Francis was one of the first surgeons in the country asked to perform the FDA-approved cervical and lumbar disc replacement surgeries—a true blessing for those patients who qualify.

If you suffer from degenerative disc disease or other related conditions that cause debilitating back pain, you have two choices:  spinal fusion and disc replacement.  Although spinal fusion has shown to provide relief from back discomfort, the fusion of vertebrae forever limit flexibility and motion.  With total disc replacement, a damaged cervical or lumbar disc is replaced by an artificial device that functions similarly to a natural disc. 

It is Spine Associates’ goal to get you back to normal.  With the artificial disc procedure, you’ll experience a shorter recovery time which will minimize your hospital stay following surgery.  You’ll also experience greater flexibility and range of motion, enabling you to return to your normal, healthy lifestyle.

Leaders in the Correction of Adult and Pediatric Deformity

Pediatric Idiopathic Scoliosis
Before Correction		 Pediatric Idiopathic Scoliosis
After Correction

Click Here to go to the Scoliosis & Spine Deformity Center