Spine Program

If back or neck pain is interfering with your ability to enjoy life, it may be time to visit MaineHealth Neurosurgery and Spine Scarborough. We are Maine’s largest and most complete resource for diagnosing and treating spinal problems. Our expert team of neurology specialists, physiatrists, physical therapists, physician assistants and nurses works together to:

Evaluate and diagnose the cause of your spine problem
Design a treatment plan that’s tailored to your individual needs and lifestyle
Connect you to the right health care professionals to provide treatment
Help you take care of your spine so you can live as actively and pain-free as possible

Expert spine evaluation and treatment

Through MaineHealth, we are affiliated with northern New England’s largest and most experienced team of neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons so when surgery is necessary, you can see a surgeon quickly and easily. And while spinal surgery can be an effective treatment, it's not right for every person with back pain.

Unless the spine problem is so severe that surgery is the only option, we always try the most conservative (nonsurgical) treatment options first. Our spine specialists can help determine whether you are a candidate for surgery. Or, if a doctor has recommended neurosurgery for your spine problem we can provide a second opinion.

Provider referrals are required for service. Please ask your primary care physician for a referral to our practice.

Program Highlights

Our spinal surgery program has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval^® by demonstrating compliance with their national standards for health care quality and safety in disease-specific care.

Maine’s largest and most complete resource for diagnosing and managing spinal problems
An emphasis on conservative (non-surgical) treatments whenever possible
Treatment plans that are personalized to your individual needs and lifestyle
A comprehensive network of trusted community-based providers so you are matched with the most appropriate provider and can receive ongoing care close to home
Northern New England’s largest and most experienced team of neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons so when surgery is necessary, you can see a surgeon quickly and easily
A focus on patient education to empower you to get and keep your spine healthy
Open, honest communication with you and your entire care team
Access to innovative new treatments through our active participation in multiple research studies and clinical trials

Conditions Treated

These are the spinal problems we see most often:

Radiculopathy
Sciatica
Ruptured (or herniated) disc
Spinal AVM and Fistula
Spinal stenosis
Spine tumor: primary and metastatic
Spondylolysis
Spondylolisthesis
Osteoarthritis of the spine
Osteoporosis.
Kyphosis
Degenerative disc disease
Scoliosis
Sports-related spinal injury
Trauma

Diagnosis & Treatment

Back pain occurs for many reasons. The first step in treating back or neck pain is to identify exactly what is causing it. Before we can diagnose your condition and design a treatment plan, a complete medical history and physical examination are necessary. This gives us a clearer picture of what’s causing your back or neck problem, and whether additional diagnostic tests are needed. If further tests are needed, we have access to the most advanced diagnostic technology available.

Patient Resources

View our educational information and resources for before and after your spine surgery.

View Patient Resources

Stephanie's Story

Stephanie's back pain eventually left her unable to walk, let alone teach yoga classes. Our team recommend a safe, effective surgical solution and got her back on her feet.