Led by Dr. Christopher Shaffrey, our Spine Division is recognized as a leader in comprehensive therapy options and advanced surgeries to help patients lead a healthy, pain-free life. We know through experience from treating high volumes of patients that personalized treatment plans yield the best results for spine care. We take into account our patient's lifestyle and health needs and recommend a comprehensive plan for your spine care that may include the latest in medications and injections, physical therapy, and pain management. If surgery is required, we offer one of the most experienced surgical teams in the state.
We perform the full range of spine surgery options, from disc replacement to relieve pain and swelling, to complex reconstructive surgeries for scoliosis, and procedures to remove delicate spinal cancer lesions. Whenever possible, our team uses minimally invasive techniques so you recover faster and experience less pain and fewer complications. Our advanced experience comes from the high volume of patients we see; our team performs more than 1,200 spine surgeries every year.
In addition, we use the most advanced technology and techniques available today for safe, effective results that reduce complications to your crucial but delicate spine and spinal cord. Our operating rooms feature intraoperative imaging equipment that gives our surgeons real-time, 3-D pictures and video, and offer guidance as they operate. We also use minimally invasive surgical techniques whenever possible, so our patients benefit from faster recoveries, fewer complications, and less pain.
Duke Division of Spine Surgery Team
We bring together a complete team of experts with expertise in nearly every aspect of spine care treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation. Our team includes experts in neurosurgery and orthopaedic surgery, as well as radiosurgery specialists, physiatrists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and nurses. We also offer acupuncturists, pain management experts, physical therapists, and a psychologist who specializes in traumatic spinal injury patients.
Fellowship
The Duke Orthopaedic Adult Spinal Surgery Fellowship provides training in the evaluation and treatment of the full spectrum of spinal disorders including trauma, degenerative, deformity, tumor, and reconstructive. Our fellows gain experience in both non-operative and operative treatment of primarily adult spinal disorders.
Patient Care
Duke Spine Center specialists in Raleigh and Durham offer comprehensive therapy options and advanced surgeries to help you lead a healthy, pain-free life. We know through experience from treating high volumes of patients that personalized treatment plans yield the best results for spine care. We take into account your lifestyle and health needs and recommend a comprehensive plan for your spine care that may include the latest in medications and injections, physical therapy, and pain management. If you require surgery, we offer one of the most experienced surgical teams in the state.
Research
As members of prestigious organizations such as the Scoliosis Research Society, North American Spine Society, and Cervical Spine Research Society, our board-certified spine specialists are up to date on the latest technologies and advances in the treatment of conditions related to your spine, back, and neck. Our research includes spine pathology and responses to different operative treatments, studying methods to improve the safety of complex spinal procedures, including the monitoring of the spinal cord function, and also the process of clotting of blood during the procedure, and the effects of a pre-habilitation protocol (rehab prior to surgery) on clinical outcomes and perioperative morbidity.