Dr. Taghva is a board-certified neurosurgeon practicing in Orange County, California. He specializes in the treatment of neck pain, low back pain, sciatica, brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, as well as other conditions requiring brain or spine surgery. He offers his patients unique nonsurgical options as well as minimally-invasive surgery and neuromodulation therapies.He received his medical degree from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, which was ranked the top hospital in the United States by U.S. News and World report for 21 straight years. Prior to that, Dr. Taghva graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Southern California with a degree in biochemistry. He completed his residency in neurological surgery at the University of Southern California, where he learned complex techiques in brain surgery and spine surgery, including minimally-invasive spine surgery. Dr. Taghva is a diplomat of the American Board of Neurological Surgery, a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, and a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
Dr. Taghva completed a prestigious fellowship in neuromodulation and functional neurosurgery at Ohio State University. During that time, Dr. Taghva treated such conditions as Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor using deep brain stimulation (DBS). In addition, Dr. Taghva has specialized training in the use of spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of chronic pain. He is considered a “key opinion leader” nationally in neuromodulation and is on the cutting-edge of these interventions. Most recently, he was a primary investigator for the St. Jude Medical Sunburst study, and one of the first in the nation (and first in Southern California) to implant the Nevro Senza device. He also has an interest in noninvasive forms of neuromodulation and was principal investigator in a trial using magnetic stimulation of the brain to treat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in conjunction with the Brain Treatment Center.
Dr. Taghva’s training has given him unique perspective on the treatment of many patients who have failed prior spine interventions, including patients with “failed back surgery syndrome,” as well as patients who are not traditionally considered candidates for surgery. Dr. Taghva tailors his approach to each patient and can offer minimally-invasive options for corrective surgery or neuromodulation options for the treatment of chronic pain. Dr. Taghva’s personal philosophy is that many patients get unnecessary spinal fusion operations, and he prefers nonsurgical, minimally-invasive, or motion-sparing alternatives for most of his patients. He also specializes in the treatment of uncommon pain syndromes including trigeminal neuralgia and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS or RSD). He also keeps an active practice of general neurosurgery, including surgery for tumors of the brain and spine, as well as epilepsy surgery, including vagal nerve stimulation.
On a personal note, Dr. Alexander Taghva was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada where he was a national champion tennis player featured in Sports Illustrated’s “Faces in the Crowd.”He now lives in Orange County, California with his wife, Goretti, and three daughters, Lara, Ella, and Adeline. He now practices as part of Orange County Neurosurgical Associates and is director of neurotrauma at Mission Hospital Regional Trauma Center.
Why Dr. Alex Taghva is considered the Best Neurosurgeon in Orange County
Watch Dr. Taghva Explain revolutionary Deep Brain Stimulation for Treating Parkinson’s Disease
Completely pain free. It is unreal! I went ahead with the operation, and I am so glad that I did. Immediately after I awakened from the operation,I felt like I could go home.
– Joseph R.
Neurosurgical Procedures Offered
Minimally-invasive and complex surgery of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine including:
- Minimally-invasive discectomy
- Minimally-invasive foraminotomy
- Minimally-invasive laminotomy
- Minimally-invasive lateral fusion (XLIF)
- Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)
- Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
- Total disc replacement
- Posterior lumbar fusion (PLIF, TLIF)
- Spinal fusion and deformity correction
- Revision spinal surgery
Brain Surgery
Minimally-invasive and complex surgery of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine including:
- Craniotomy for brain tumors
- Craniotomy for hematomas (bleeding of the brain)
- Deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease and Essential Tremor
- Transnasal surgery for pituitary tumors
Pain Disorders
- Spinal cord stimulation (trial and permanent implants, percutaneous and paddle leads)
- Microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia
Non-Surgical Treatment
Cyberknife radiosurgery for brain tumors and trigeminal neuralgia
In the News
Dr. Taghva was recently featured on PBS to discuss deep brain stimulation for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease.
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Deep Brain Stimulation to Treat Obesity?
August 20, 2012
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For a complete Curriculum Vitae of Dr. Taghva, please click below.
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