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SPINE including back and neck

Spine Surgeons in Western Montana

At Missoula Bone & Joint in Western Montana, spine surgeons Dr. Michael Woods and Dr. Zack Witte specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of spine-related conditions that may be causing your back or neck pain. They understand how this pain can limit your activities and decrease your quality of life, and their goal is to relieve your pain and restore your mobility so you can enjoy life again.

Understanding the Spine

The spine is an intricate and fragile structure. It is comprised of 25 joints that connect to 33 individual bones called vertebrae. There are 7 cervical (neck) vertebrae, 12 thoracic (mid-back) vertebrae, and 5 lumbar (low back) vertebrae. The rest of the lower vertebrae in the spine are fused together: 5 of them form the sacrum within the pelvis, while the last 4 form the tailbone (coccyx).

You also have two sacroiliac (SI) joints, one on each side of the sacrum. Reinforced by strong surrounding ligaments, these weight-bearing joints connect the sacrum and pelvis. Dr. Woods has a special interest and expertise in treating the SI joint. Learn more about SI joint pain.

In between each vertebra is a disc made of cartilage. These intervertebral discs are shock-absorbing cushions that prevent the vertebrae from wearing against each other. A network of muscles and ligaments surround and support the spine.

In a healthy back, the joints work together and permit multiple degrees of motion. If any part of the spine is compromised by damage or disease, abnormal or excessive motion of the back may result in pain. Some of the many conditions that can affect the vertebrae, discs, or joints include:

Spine Treatments - Cervical (Neck), Thoracic (Mid-Back), Lumbar (Lower Back)

Cervical (Neck):

  • Anterior Cervical Discectomy
  • Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion
  • Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion
  • Cervical Total Disc Replacement
  • Cervical Foraminotomy
  • Cervical Laminectomy
  • Cervical Laminoplasty
  • Multilevel Posterior Cervical Laminectomy and Fusion
  • Posterior Cervical Microforaminotomy and Discectomy
  • Pseudarthrosis/ Non-Union Failed/ Previous Cervical Surgery

Thoracic (Mid Back):

  • Spinal Cord Stimulator Placement
  • Adult Scoliosis Correction
  • Thoracic Spinal Fusion
  • Thoracic Laminectomy and Decompression
  • Pseudarthrosis/ Non-Union Failed/ Previous Thoracic Surgery

Lumbar (Lower Back):

  • Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
  • Anterior Lumbar Corpectomy and Fusion
  • Lumbar Laminectomy/ Neural Decompression
  • Minimally Invasive Lumbar Microdiscectomy
  • Instrumented Posterolateral Lumbar Fusion
  • Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (PLIF)
  • Spinal Decompression
  • Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF)
  • Spondylolisthesis Reduction and Fusion
  • X-LIF Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion
  • Pseudarthrosis/ Non-Union Failed/ Previous Lumbar Surgery

General Conditions of the Spine:

After a thorough examination and review of your medical history, Dr. Woods or Dr. Witte, will discuss your diagnosis and treatment options. Back or neck pain can often be treated without surgery. If your doctor feels that surgery is necessary to relieve your pain, you can be confident that our spine surgeons have experience and enhanced training in performing spine surgery. Many procedures can now be performed using a minimally invasive approach, and can be performed in an Outpatient Surgery Center.

Common Back Pain Treatments (not an inclusive list):

Is back pain interfering with your life? Contact Missoula Bone & Joint at (406) 721-4436 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Woods or Dr. Witte or use our online form to request an appointment.

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TESTIMONIALS

"Everyone was very professional and friendly and caring!"

Ralph Nov. 2018

"Clean, professional, and attentive MRI experience."

John, Oct 2018

"Superb in all respects. I have been in all specialties; broken foot, bakers cyst on knee, shoulder injury and now a hip replacement. Even the Walk-in clinic is efficient. All the staff are professional and friendly. It is actually a happy place to visit. Dr. LaPorte fixed my shoulder after a fall on the ice, and Dr. Puckett has worked on both my hands. Thank you for such great care!"

Jim O, Nov. 2018

"My husband was treated with such care at the Urgent Care. It was a stressful time and everything went so smoothly. They worked hard to get the paper work needed for the appointment. The PA was so nice and understanding. Thank You!"

Anna Becker, August 2018

"I just wanted to thank Dr. Willstein for the outstanding job he did in replacing my knees in January 2017. I have had no problems and I am so happy the pain is gone. Everyone at Missoula Bone & Joint is to be commended for it's first class service. Thank you all!" 

Bruce, Feb 2018

"Awesome experience at Missoula Bone & Joint. Unfortunate basketball injury caused us to be here. Complete ruptured achilles surgery. We were diagnosed in the morning by the doctor and in surgery in the afternoon. Surgical staff is first class .... explained the entire process and we were comforted in a difficult situation. Grateful for wonderful, exceptional healthcare in Missoula, MT." 

Judy D. June 2018

"Joan Bond-Deschamps is extremely thorough, she covered everything, even questions I didn't think to ask. She was eager to solve my problems. I highly recommend MBJ for anyone needing orthopedic care." 

Bill W. June 2018

"MBJ is the best Ortho Clinic in Montana! I live in Helena and drive the 238 miles round trip because I love this office." 

Paula D, May 2018

 "I was in for an MRI last week and always notice how happy folks are at MSO Bone and Joint, I have a chair in each department ... foot, knee, hand, shoulder. We are so fortunate to have such great health care in MSO."

A Frenchtown Family, Feb 2018

"I would like to say that I had a most excellent experience as a PT patient of Bob Botkin over the past few months. His dynamic, receptive, and intuitive approach to therapy was impressive and effective. I appreciate how I would admit to some pain that I was trying to power through, and he could explain why that was hurting me and adapt the therapy to avoid the pain. He has changed my perspective on exercise through said process of being in tune with pain and the biomechanics of my body." 

Bradley Applegate, Feb 2018

"Out of 15 surgeries, this was my best experience with physical therapy ever! The whole staff is very friendly and courteous. Kailey and the rest listen to your concerns and are very knowledgable regarding your type of injury and make your rehab fun. I would highly recommend Missoula Bone & Joint P.T. for all your PT. needs."

Dan Abraham

NEWS & EVENTS

Copyright © ·Missoula Bone & Joint · All Rights Reserved

Missoula Bone & Joint provides comprehensive orthopedic care in Western Montana. Our highly experienced orthopedic surgeons specialize in the following surgical procedures: general orthopedics, sports medicine, joint replacement, foot & ankle surgery, elbow surgery, hand surgery, wrist surgery, hip surgery, knee surgery, shoulder surgery, spine surgery and SI joint surgery. Missoula Bone and Joint Surgery Center offers the following services and programs: Physical Therapy, Urgent Care, Surgery Center, Wellness Program, Bone Health Clinic,  Athletic Training Outreach Program, and a Sports Performance Group.