Desert Institute for Spine Care

Business Details

28 Years

experience

Expert Spine Surgeons in Phoenix, AZ

Founded in 1998, Desert Institute for Spine Care (DISC) is a globally recognized leader in minimally invasive spine surgery, serving patients across Phoenix, Arizona. Our mission is to provide compassionate, personalized care that prioritizes long-term pain relief and improved physical function. With five board-certified spine surgeons and over 50 years of combined experience, we specialize in advanced treatments such as endoscopic spine surgery, artificial disc replacement, and minimally invasive techniques.

Our proprietary Personalized Pain Mapping methodology ensures accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment, while our commitment to innovation has positioned us at the forefront of FDA clinical trials and surgical advancements. We treat the whole patient, not just symptoms, and have helped thousands regain active lifestyles through cutting-edge, least-invasive solutions.

Services

Artificial Disc Replacement Endoscopic Spine Surgery Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Personalized Pain Mapping Ultra Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Kyphoplasty/Vertebroplasty Spinal Fusion Alternatives Selective Endoscopic Discectomy Intracept Procedure Surgical Pain Management

Details

Year established: 1998

Highlights and features

We offer compassionate and customized patient care focused on long-term pain relief.
Our surgeons are board-certified with over 50 years of combined experience.
We pioneered endoscopic spine surgery and Personalized Pain Mapping techniques.
Recognized as Americas Leading Doctors and Top Docs by Phoenix Magazine.
We specialize in minimally invasive and ultra-minimally invasive spine procedures.

What people say

Compassionate care Expert surgeons Effective treatments Improved quality of life Highly recommend

Website

Update Listing

Services

Artificial Disc Replacement

Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) is a surgical procedure replacing damaged spinal discs with prosthetic devices to preserve motion and alleviate pain. Ideal for herniated discs or degenerative disc disease, ADR avoids fusion, reduces adjacent disc stress, and enables faster return to work. Clinical studies show ADR patients recover 20.9 days sooner than fusion patients, with long-term benefits for neck and back pain.

Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Endoscopic Spine Surgery uses a 1/4-inch incision and specialized instruments to treat herniated discs, sciatica, and spinal stenosis. This ultra-minimally invasive technique minimizes tissue damage, reduces recovery time, and avoids general anesthesia risks. Pioneered by DISC founder Dr. Anthony Yeung, it offers long-term pain relief and is sought by patients globally for its effectiveness in avoiding fusion surgery.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MIS) employs small incisions and advanced imaging to treat spinal conditions like stenosis and spondylolisthesis. Techniques such as TLIF and ALIF reduce muscle disruption, lower infection risks, and accelerate recovery. DISC surgeons are innovators in MIS, offering alternatives to traditional open surgery with superior outcomes for chronic back pain and nerve compression.

Personalized Pain Mapping

Personalized Pain Mapping (PPM) is a proprietary DISC method correlating patient history, imaging, and diagnostic injections to identify pain generators. This precision approach ensures accurate diagnosis of complex spine conditions, guiding targeted treatments like endoscopic surgery. PPM eliminates guesswork, reducing the need for repeated procedures and enhancing long-term pain relief success rates.

Ultra Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Ultra Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (UMIS) utilizes advanced tools like Kyphoplasty and Vertebroplasty to stabilize fractures and relieve pain with minimal incisions. These procedures restore vertebral height, reduce pain, and enable rapid recovery. UMIS is ideal for osteoporotic fractures or tumor-related instability, offering safer alternatives to open surgery with lower complication risks.

People

Christopher A. Yeung, M.D.

Spine Surgeon

Dr. Christopher Yeung specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery and has received Phoenix Magazine's Top Doc Award for over a decade. He focuses on endoscopic techniques and clinical research, advancing treatments for herniated discs and spinal stenosis.

Justin S. Field, M.D.

Spine Surgeon

Dr. Justin Field is a board-certified spine surgeon recognized as a Castle Connolly National Top Doctor. He has performed over 25 Barricaid procedures and specializes in endoscopic and minimally invasive techniques for sciatica and disc herniations.

Nima Salari, M.D.

Spine Surgeon

Dr. Nima Salari is an award-winning spine surgeon with expertise in endoscopic surgery and clinical trials. He has been named a Top Doctor by Phoenix Magazine and Arizonas Leading Doctor, focusing on innovative treatments for spinal conditions.

Joshua H. Abrams, D.O.

Spine Surgeon

Dr. Joshua Abrams is a nationally recognized spine surgeon and recipient of the Castle Connolly Top Doctor Award. He specializes in minimally invasive and endoscopic procedures, with a focus on restoring mobility for patients with chronic back pain.

Mark J. Wang, M.D.

Spine Surgeon

Dr. Mark Wang is a board-certified spine surgeon honored with Phoenix Magazines Top Doc Award. His expertise includes complex spinal reconstructions and minimally invasive techniques, with a commitment to personalized patient care and long-term outcomes.

Questions

What spine conditions does DISC treat?

DISC treats herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, neck and back pain, and complex conditions like spondylolisthesis and osteoporotic fractures using advanced techniques.

What makes DISC different from other spine centers?

DISC combines compassionate care with proprietary methods like Personalized Pain Mapping and pioneering endoscopic surgery, offering minimally invasive solutions developed by globally recognized experts.

Do DISC surgeons accept insurance?

DISC works with most major medical plans. Patients should verify coverage details, including deductibles and co-pays, directly with their insurance provider.

Can I get a second opinion at DISC?

Yes, DISC encourages second opinions and has refined diagnoses for 88% of patients, with 33% receiving revised surgical recommendations after consultation.

What locations does DISC serve?

DISC has five locations across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, and Gilbert, Arizona, providing accessible care for local and international patients.

Are DISC surgeons involved in research?

Yes, DISC surgeons lead FDA clinical trials, publish peer-reviewed research, and teach advanced techniques globally, maintaining leadership in spinal innovation.

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