Advanced Spine Care for You
If nagging back or neck pain are making your life less enjoyable, we can help. At Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital, nationally recognized WashU Medicine spine specialists can see you quickly, find the source of your pain, and offer personalized care as unique as you.
From leading-edge spine care solutions, including ultra-minimally invasive surgery not made available by anyone else in the St. Louis region, we can relieve pain, restore movement, and get you back your life quicker.
There's no need to wait. Our specialists are ready to help you.
Why choose WashU Medicine spine specialists at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital?
WashU Medicine is home to one of the nation’s most experienced spine practices, giving you access to specialists who’ve treated a broad range of conditions, from routine to highly complex. Our collaborative care team includes orthopedic spine surgeons, neurosurgeons, physiatrists, pain management experts, and physical and occupational therapists. With deep experience in both surgical and nonsurgical techniques, we deliver the best treatment plan for you.
We offer:
- Fast, convenient access—our specialists can see you within two weeks
- The latest in advanced on-site imaging provides fast, accurate diagnosis, leading to better treatment solutions tailored to you
- Effective nonsurgical therapy options from the WashU Medicine Living Well Center, Pain Management Center, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation team
- Leading-edge surgical care designed to speed up recovery times, including ultra-minimally invasive options and robotic-assisted technology
- Personalized treatment approach shaped by a team of subspecialists recognized for their outstanding outcomes
- Nationally recognized expertise with access to the latest research and clinical trials
- Convenient community hospital setting for all of your care
Advanced surgical solutions and technology
WashU Medicine spine specialists at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital use the most advanced tools, including robotic-assisted technology, to minimize incisions and maximize precision. This results in better planning before surgery, shorter hospital stays or none at all, less pain after surgery, quicker recoveries, and improved outcomes.
Ultra minimally invasive surgery
Also known as endoscopic surgery, this approach uses a tiny, 1/4-inch incision, roughly the size of a pea, and a thin tube with a high-definition camera and specialized tools. The approach lets surgeons work precisely, resulting in less pain after surgery and faster recovery. WashU Medicine specialists are the only physicians in the St. Louis region performing this surgery.
Minimally invasive surgery
Uses smaller incisions than standard surgery, protecting muscles and tissue around the spine, decreasing pain, and allowing for a faster recovery. Surgeons can use minimally invasive surgery for lumbar or cervical discectomy, laminectomy, and spinal fusion.
Robotic-assisted surgery
Advanced technology uses images taken prior to surgery to help surgeons plan and then perform operations with enhanced precision and reduced recovery time. Our surgeons were the first to perform this type of surgery in Missouri.
Nonsurgical spine care options
Living Well Center
The WashU Medicine Living Well Center at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital offers personalized services to reduce pain, improve strength, lose weight, control diabetes, and lower blood pressure.
Pain Management Center
The hospital’s Pain Management Center offers nonsurgical, non-narcotic medication treatment options to improve your quality of life.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Our physiatrists specialize in noninvasive care to relieve back pain and restore function through personalized treatment plans.
Take a back and neck pain assessment
Back and neck pain can affect all areas of your life. Take a three-minute assessment and receive tailored recommendations, prevention strategies, and education to help you better understand the cause of your symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
What are common symptoms of back pain?
Common symptoms include:
- Consistent ache in the middle or lower part of your back, especially after standing or sitting for a long period
- Dull, burning, or sharp pain in your back in a single spot or larger area
- Leg numbness or tingling, above or below your knee
- Sharp, shooting pain that spreads from your low back to your buttocks, down the back of your thigh and into your calf and toes
- Stiffness or aching that occurs anywhere along your spine from your neck to your tailbone
What are common symptoms of neck pain?
Common symptoms include:
- Arm numbness or tingling
- Headaches
- Sharp shooting pain or a dull ache in your neck
- Shoulder pain
How are neck and back pain diagnosed?
A WashU Medicine spine specialist will ask you about your health history and perform a physical exam. Advanced imaging technology available at Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital can precisely pinpoint the cause of your pain. With this information, you and your physician work together to explore available treatment options—both surgical and nonsurgical—to achieve the best outcome. The spine care team collaborates on the best course of action, ensuring you are connected to the right subspecialists and treatments for your condition.
What range of spine conditions can be treated?
WashU Medicine spine specialists have advanced skills in treating complex conditions such as spine tumors and spine deformities, as well as common spine conditions like:
- Degenerative back and neck disorders
- Herniated, ruptured, bulging, or slipped disks
- Myelopathy
- Nerve compression associated with low back pain
- Radiculopathy
- Sciatica
- Scoliosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
Meet our patients
Ultra-Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Gives One Patient Her Life Back
Debbi Jesse, 51, is outside mowing her lawn, an activity she couldn’t do prior to her ultra-minimally invasive—also known as endoscopic—spine surgery.
For years before, Debbi had been in pain, which ranged from stabbing to sharp to shooting throughout most of the lower half of her body, including her back, hips, and glutes.
No More Neck Pain: Disk Replacement Procedure Provided One Patient Lasting Relief
Linda Horne thought she had strained a muscle at first.
But the minor twinge that started after one of her regular weight-lifting sessions soon grew into intense shoulder pain with accompanying arm and wrist weakness that threatened to sidetrack her busy life.
Get a Free Spine Journey Guide
It’s normal to have questions when considering surgery. Your care team is committed to your safety every step of the way. Specialists at WashU Medicine and Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital developed this guide to help patients prepare and know what to expect before, during, and after surgery.