Alexander Taghva, MD
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Alexander Taghva, MD

949-388-7190

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  • Home
  • Services
    • Neurosurgical Conditions
      • Treatment Options for Neurosurgical Conditions
    • Neurosurgical Procedures
      • Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
      • Cervical Disc Replacement
      • Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
      • Microdiscectomy
      • Minimally Invasive Laminotomy
      • Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
      • Revision Spine Surgery
      • Spinal Cord Stimulation
      • Spine Surgery
  • Meet Dr. Taghva
  • Reviews
  • For Patients
    • Education
    • Forms
    • Blog
  • Office Location

Spine Surgery Mission Viejo, CA

Patients in Orange County who suffer from chronic pain or other back and spine issues may need to eventually seek relief through spine surgery in Mission Viejo, CA. Dr. Alexander Taghva, M.D., F.A.A.N.S., a board-certified neurosurgeon, offers a wide range of options for back surgery to address several different spinal health concerns.

Table of Contents
  • About The Procedure
  • Benefits of Back Surgery in Mission Viejo, CA
  • The Ideal Candidate for Spine Surgery
  • Consultation with Dr. Taghva
  • Preparing for Back Surgery in Mission Viejo, CA
  • Types of Back Surgery
  • The Recovery
  • Possible Risks and Potential Complications
  • FAQS

About The Procedure

The spinal column, which runs from the skull down to the pelvis, is made up of a series of bones and cushioning discs, which support the body in an upright position, allowing for easy movement, and protect the spinal cord, which delivers information from the brain to the body. These bones and discs may develop improperly during normal growth, develop many problems over time, or become injured, causing pain and other issues.

Spine surgery is typically performed to correct a structural issue or injury in the back that will not resolve with other therapies. When less invasive treatment options do not correct a patient’s health concerns, surgical treatment is an effective tool for treating a wide range of spinal issues.

There are many different types of spine surgery, depending on the patient’s specific needs. Back problems like a herniated or ruptured disc, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column), scoliosis, fractures caused by osteoporosis, bulging discs, and chronic pain are just a few of the conditions that can be addressed with back surgery in Mission Viejo with Dr. Taghva.

Back surgery - Orange county.
Spine surgery is performed to correct a structural issue or injury in the back that will not resolve with other therapies.

Benefits of Back Surgery in Mission Viejo, CA

Patients are, understandably, often nervous about undergoing spinal surgery. While any surgical procedure can be scary, the benefits of back surgery typically far outweigh the risks. Most patients who undergo spine surgery in Orange County experience significant improvement in their overall quality of life.

Some benefits of back surgery, depending on the procedure, include reduced pain, better mobility, and improved spinal stability. Patients often find spinal surgery to be life-changing, as it can empower them to once again enjoy activities pain-free and allow them to achieve long-term pain management while reducing or eliminating the need for prescription pain medications.

Dr. Taghva offers his patients cutting-edge techniques, such as minimally-invasive spine surgery, to create excellent results while reducing blood loss and encouraging a faster recovery process. He is the only spine surgery expert in Mission Viejo offering endoscopic spine surgery, a technique that uses a small camera for visibility during surgery and requires only a small incision. Patients can gain all the benefits of back surgery with a less invasive procedure and typically go home soon after surgery.

The Ideal Candidate for Spine Surgery

Good candidates for Spine surgery in Mission Viejo, CA, are men, women, and children suffering from certain spine conditions that have not responded to non-surgical treatments. Many candidates for spine surgery suffer from chronic back and neck pain. Patients should consult with their primary care physician and speak with a board-certified neurosurgeon about the different treatment options available. Each surgical procedure has its specific requirements.

Consultation with Dr. Taghva

If you think you might be able to benefit from spine surgery at Dr. Taghva’s South Orange County practice, your first step should be to talk to your healthcare providers and to set up a consultation at our office.

During your back surgery consultation in Mission Viejo with Dr. Taghva, you will discuss the pros and cons of surgery. Dr. Taghva will go over your medical history, ask about your symptoms and past treatments, and perform an exam.

He may order imaging and other tests before recommending a treatment plan. If you are a good candidate for spinal surgery, Dr. Taghva will provide you with specific information about the procedure he recommends, the necessary preparation steps, and the recovery.

You are encouraged to ask questions during your consultation. Choosing spine surgery is a major decision, and it’s important to have everything you need to make an informed treatment decision.

Preparing for Back Surgery in Mission Viejo, CA

When you schedule your back surgery, Dr. Taghva’s office will give you a detailed list of preparation instructions. You may need to get certain tests and talk to your doctor about changing some of your medications in preparation for surgery. Some over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs and prescription medications can increase risks during surgery and must be put on hold for several weeks before and after spinal surgery.

Patients preparing for spine surgery at our Mission Viejo facility will need to stop smoking well in advance of the procedure. Depending on the treatment option you choose, you may need general anesthesia and will need to avoid eating or drinking anything after midnight on the day of the surgery. You should arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment, even if your procedure is on an outpatient basis.

Types of Back Surgery

The type of surgery a patient will need depends on the type and severity of their spinal health concerns. Dr. Taghva offers several spinal surgery types to help each patient find relief. He uses minimally-invasive techniques whenever possible. Some of the surgical treatments he offers include:

  • Minimally-invasive laminotomy—a lumbar decompression procedure that addresses lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal, often caused by the formation of bone spurs, thickened spinal ligaments, or arthritis) and providing relief for patients with back pain and sciatica caused by nerve root compression.
  • Minimally-invasive discectomy – removal of a portion of a damaged disc to reduce pressure on the spinal cord.
  • Minimally-invasive foraminotomy—relieving pressure on compressed spinal nerves by removing blockages and enlarging openings around affected bones in the spine.
  • Minimally-invasive lateral fusion (XLIF)—a spinal fusion surgery performed through the side of the body that can treat spinal column problems such as recurring herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and degenerative scoliosis.
  • Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)—a spinal fusion surgery addressing the lumbar spine (lower spine) that involves fusing the bones of the spine using bone grafts to treat issues like degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis (disc slipping).
  • Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)—a surgery performed to relieve pain caused by pinched nerves, ACDF involves damaged disc removal in the neck area of the spinal column and fusing the bones with a bone graft for improved stability.
  • Posterior lumbar fusion (PLIF)—also known as transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), this procedure fuses lumbar spine bones to increase stability. It is often performed alongside lumbar decompression.
  • Total disc replacement—surgically replaces a damaged disc with an artificial disc.
  • Revision spinal surgery—correction of issues left by a prior surgical procedure.

Call today to schedule your consultation

949-388-7190

The Recovery

After spine surgery in Mission Viejo, patients will need to follow Dr. Alexander Taghva’s recovery instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and to reduce the risk of spinal surgery complications occurring.

Back surgery recovery time varies considerably. Many patients’ incisions heal quickly, but the final healing of the spinal column may take several months. Dr. Taghva will provide you with information on activity restrictions, what to expect, and how to set yourself up for optimal results. He also educates patients on proper spine care to help prevent problems in the future.

Possible Risks and Potential Complications

All surgical procedures involve some risk, including spine surgery in Orange County. Risks and potential complications vary from procedure to procedure and will be discussed during your consultation. Choosing a respected, board-certified spine surgeon who offers minimally-invasive spine surgery is one of the best ways to reduce the risks associated with back surgery.

Back Surgery Related Articles

  • Pain In The Back
  • How Do I Know If I Need Back Surgery?
  • 4 of the Most Common Spine Disorders and Their Treatments
  • Bulging Discs: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments
  • What To Know About Lumbar Spinal Fusion Surgery

FAQS

Are there any good back surgery alternatives?

Surgical treatment for spine conditions is typically a last resort. Physical therapy at an orthopedic institute, pain management with neuromodulation, and other less-invasive treatments are preferred initially. If the patient’s symptoms do not respond to these treatments, surgery may be the best option.

How much does spine surgery cost?

Different surgical procedures have different associated costs. The total back surgery cost will include surgical fees, anesthesia, facility fees, and other miscellaneous costs. Patients should check with their health insurance providers to determine possible coverage.

How can I ensure that my spine surgery recovery goes smoothly?

The best way to improve your results and reduce risks for complications following spine surgery is to follow Dr. Taghva’s pre- and post-operative instructions to the letter. If you follow these instructions closely, you will set yourself up for a quick and successful recovery.

Do children ever need spine surgery?

Most spine conditions are associated with older individuals, but some children and young adults also develop problems within the spinal column due to genetics, injury and other factors. Spine surgery for scoliosis is one of the most common spine procedures in children and teens.

How long does it take to recover from spine surgery? 

How long it takes to recover from spine surgery will depend on the type of surgery you underwent and how well you adhere to pre- and post-surgery instructions. Some of the other factors that play a role in your recovery time include your age, lifestyle, and any underlying health conditions.

The average recovery time can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. If you undergo spinal fusion, it could take up to a year before the graft fuses with the surrounding bone, but you should be able to resume most of your normal activities within a month or two.

For other surgeries, including spinal laminectomies, decompression, or foraminotomies, it may only take a few weeks to recover.

You’ve suffered from pain long enough, and you should be able to get back to enjoying life as soon as possible. You will get there, but you’ll need to be patient, focused, and follow all pre- and post-surgery instructions.

Can back surgery benefit me?

If you suffer from chronic back pain and nothing seems to be helping, then you might want to consider spine surgery in Mission Viejo, CA. Call 949-388-7190 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Alexander Taghva at our Orange County facility.

Why Choose Dr. Alexander Taghva

Dr. Alexander Taghva is a leading board-certified neurosurgeon, specializing in brain surgery, endoscopic spine surgery, and spine disorders. He is the only neuro-surgeon in Orange County who offers endoscopic laminotomy surgery. Dr. Taghva:

  • Graduated from John Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed his residency at the University of California
  • Completed a prestigious fellowship at The Ohio State University in Neuromodulation and Functional Neurosurgery
  • Specializes in minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery, spinal stenosis, artificial disc replacement, spinal disorders, spinal surgery revision, and other spinal conditions.
  • Specializes in brain surgery to treat trigeminal neuralgia, brain tumors, pituitary tumors, and Parkinson’s disease.
  • A highly-respected neurosurgeon with many years of experience, including treating chronic pain via stimulation of the spinal cord and brain
  • Actively involved in medical research and the lead investigator for clinical trials on spinal cord stimulation

Last Modified August 17, 2020 by Dr. Taghva

Reviews

  • In September 2018, my ENT doctor sent me to see Dr. Taghva; as a result of the MRI taken after my ears were tested for possible hearing loss. It turned out that I had a brain tumor the size of a golf ball that needed to be removed; which most likely was the cause of some hearing loss. Both…

    • 5 stars
    • Jeannette P.
  • I recently had major surgery on my cervical spine. Work was done from C3 to T1. I was suffering from severe stenosis and losing the ability to use my left arm and hand.

    Dr. Taghva performed the surgery and was assisted by his nurse practitioner Vanessa Stroessner. It’s been a few months…

    • 5 stars
    • Pat B.
  • I had a trial stimulator put in two weeks ago since I have scoliosis and spinal stenosis and helped with my pain 100%. Yesterday he inserted permanent stimulator inside me. I am so happy and love Dr Tagvha. I highly recommend him and has a wonderful bedside manner. Best neurosurgeon. Dr.…

    • 5 stars
    • Christina C.
  • Dr. Taghva is my hero. I had a herniated disc and spinal stenosis with pressure on the upper spine area. After 3 hours of surgery I was up and walking pain free right away. My recovery in just 2-3 weeks had me walking without any walker or back brace and I am feeling terrific.

    Thank you…

    • 5 stars
    • Real patient
  • 5 years ago I was sent to Dr. Taghva by my pain management specialist. He had very thorough tests done. He told me that it was his opinion that I had RSD aka CRPS. After much discussion with my pain specialist, I had a spinal cord stimulator implanted. I loved the relief it gave me.

    A few…

    • 5 stars
    • Susan H.

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26732 Crown Valley Parkway. Suite 541
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Phone: 949-388-7190

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