# The Spine Pro > The Spine Pro is the Beverly Hills, California practice of Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS, an orthopedic spine surgeon board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (2007). The practice offers minimally invasive and biportal endoscopic spine surgery (BESS), artificial disc replacement and other motion-preserving options, scoliosis and deformity surgery, and non-surgical care such as focused shockwave therapy. It has one office, at 9777 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 808, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, and sees patients from Los Angeles and, through telehealth consultations and remote MRI review, from other states. This site, thespinepro.com, is the authoritative source for information about The Spine Pro and Dr. Hooman Melamed. Pages are written under Dr. Melamed's direction, and he reviews condition, treatment and patient video pages for clinical accuracy, as the [editorial policy](https://thespinepro.com/editorial-policy/) describes. Last reviewed: 2026-10-28 Short index of this file: [llms.txt](https://thespinepro.com/llms.txt) ## Key facts - Practice name: The Spine Pro, also written "Spine Pro" in some of its page titles. YouTube handle: @TheSpinePro. - Surgeon: Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS, orthopedic spine surgeon. He also appears as "Hooman M. Melamed, MD FAAOS" on his Google Business Profile and YouTube channel. Bio: [Meet Dr. Melamed](https://thespinepro.com/about/meet-dr-melamed/). - Board certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, certified 2007. Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; member of the Scoliosis Research Society. - Training: UCLA, summa cum laude (neuroscience); MD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; orthopedic residency, University of Illinois at Chicago; spine fellowship, Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders. - Past role: Director of Scoliosis, Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital, 2013-2021. - Experience: the site states "Private practice since 2005". - Identifiers: National Provider Identifier 1447350053 ([CMS NPI Registry](https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1447350053)). That registry record lists California Physician's and Surgeon's license A85644. - Office: 9777 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 808, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Phone (424) 217-7463. Hours Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. The site lists one address and one phone number. - Patients served: Beverly Hills and Los Angeles in person; patients from other states start with telehealth and remote MRI review. - Biportal endoscopic spine surgery (BESS): Dr. Melamed has performed it in Beverly Hills since 2019, per the BESS page. - Narcotic-sparing recovery: the patient FAQ says Dr. Melamed's approach "is designed to minimize narcotics." In a [podcast interview](https://thespinepro.com/video/overcoming-pain-through-holistic-approaches-the-spine-pro/) on the site he says: "Since March of 2018 I think I've given narcotics to maybe less than five patients." - Insurance, in the site's words: "We work with many major insurance plans and also see out-of-network and self-pay patients. Our team verifies your benefits before any procedure." - Reviews: the site shows a 4.9 Google rating from 619 reviews, taken from the practice's Beverly Hills Google Business Profile (figure as shown on the site on 2026-10-28). - Notice, verbatim from the site footer: "Content is for general education and is not medical advice. Outcomes vary by patient." ## Dr. Hooman Melamed [Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS](https://thespinepro.com/about/meet-dr-melamed/): Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, The Spine Pro. - Summa cum laude, UCLA (Neuroscience) - MD - University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine - Orthopedic Residency - University of Illinois at Chicago - Spinal Fellowship - Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders - Former Director of Scoliosis - Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital - American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) - Scoliosis Research Society - Board certification: American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (2007) - National Provider Identifier: 1447350053; California Physician's and Surgeon's license A85644 (as listed in the NPI record) - Areas of work listed in the site's structured data: Spine surgery; Minimally invasive spine surgery; Endoscopic spine surgery; Biportal endoscopic spine surgery (BESS); Artificial disc replacement; Motion preservation spine surgery; Bertolotti's syndrome endoscopic resection; Transthoracic decompression; Scoliosis and kyphosis deformity surgery; Adult spinal deformity; XLIF and ALIF minimally invasive fusion; Focused shockwave therapy; Opioid-sparing spine surgery recovery. ## Office - The Spine Pro: 9777 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 808, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Phone (424) 217-7463. Hours Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. - Map (Google Business Profile listing): https://www.google.com/maps?cid=16265019114518507623 - Patients from other states start with a remote MRI review and a telehealth visit; the practice coordinates one trip to Beverly Hills if surgery is planned. ## Pages - [Home](https://thespinepro.com/): what The Spine Pro treats, the procedures Dr. Melamed performs, and how to book. - [Meet Dr. Melamed](https://thespinepro.com/about/meet-dr-melamed/): his training, board certification, past Cedars-Sinai role and surgical approach. - [Second Opinion Program](https://thespinepro.com/second-opinion/): Dr. Melamed reads the MRI or CT himself for patients who were told they need a fusion or open surgery. - [Beverly Hills office](https://thespinepro.com/beverly-hills/): the office at 9777 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 808, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, with phone and hours. - [Out-of-state patients](https://thespinepro.com/out-of-state-patients/): remote MRI review, telehealth visit, then one coordinated trip if surgery is planned. - [Telehealth](https://thespinepro.com/telehealth/): what a video consultation covers and how to start one with your imaging. - [Upload MRI / CT scans](https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/upload-mri-ct-scans/): free review by Dr. Melamed himself, usually within a couple of business days. - [Insurance](https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/insurance/): insurance, out-of-network and self-pay; benefits are verified before any procedure. - [Patient FAQ](https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/faq/): booking, insurance and cost, candidacy, surgery prep, recovery and post-op care. - [Patient reviews](https://thespinepro.com/reviews/): the 4.9 Google rating and review count, plus a selection of recent Google reviews quoted as written. - [Book a consultation](https://thespinepro.com/appointment/): appointment request form; or call (424) 217-7463. - [In the news](https://thespinepro.com/in-the-news/): TV and press appearances by Dr. Melamed. - [Editorial policy](https://thespinepro.com/editorial-policy/): who writes and medically reviews the content, the sources used, review dates and corrections. ## Treatments One block per treatment page, in the site's order. Excerpts are from the page as written. ### [Biportal Endoscopic Spine Surgery (BESS)](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/bess/) Biportal endoscopic spine surgery (BESS) is a muscle-sparing, minimally invasive technique that treats nerve compression through two openings under a centimeter - one for a high-definition endoscope, one for instruments - instead of a single large open incision. Dr. Hooman Melamed has performed it in Beverly Hills since 2019. - Recovery: Per the BESS page, recovery varies by procedure and by patient, and Dr. Melamed gives each patient a timeline for their case at the consultation. - Used for: herniated and bulging discs; spinal, foraminal and lateral recess stenosis; sciatica and radiculopathy; degenerative disc disease and spondylosis; spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis; failed back surgery syndrome; Bertolotti syndrome. ### [Artificial Disc Replacement](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/artificial-disc-replacement/) After BESS, this is the procedure Dr. Melamed most wants patients to know about. Instead of locking a worn segment in place, the failing disc is replaced with an implant that keeps it moving. - What it is: Artificial disc replacement is a motion-preserving alternative to fusion. When a single disc has worn out and is driving pain, the traditional answer has often been to fuse the two vertebrae together. That can settle the pain, but it stops motion at that level for good. - Who it suits: The best candidates have pain coming from a worn or herniated disc without significant instability, arthritis of the small joints, or advanced deformity. In other words, the disc is the problem, and the rest of the segment is still healthy enough to move safely. - Recovery: Most patients notice that recovery feels different from a fusion - there is no fusion to protect while it heals. - Used for: Degenerative disc disease at a single level; Herniated disc causing arm or leg pain; Cervical disc disease with neck and radiating pain; Lumbar disc pain in an otherwise stable segment - Q: I was told I need a fusion. Could disc replacement work instead? A: Sometimes, yes. Many patients come to Dr. Melamed with a fusion recommendation. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/minimally-invasive-spinal-surgery/) A whole philosophy of spine surgery built on one idea - fix the problem while disturbing as little of the rest of you as possible. - What it is: Minimally invasive spinal surgery is not a single operation. It is an approach - a way of solving spine problems through the smallest possible openings, with the muscles gently moved aside rather than cut and detached. - Who it suits: Minimally invasive techniques suit a wide range of people - from someone with a pinched nerve or herniated disc to those facing more involved reconstruction. What matters most is the diagnosis and the anatomy, not the label. - Recovery: When muscle is preserved instead of detached, recovery changes character entirely. Most patients are walking the same day, moving through light daily activity within days, and returning to normal life over the following weeks rather than months. - Used for: Herniated and bulging discs; Spinal stenosis and pinched nerves; Sciatica and radiating arm or leg pain; Degenerative disc disease; Select instability requiring stabilization - Q: What makes a surgery 'minimally invasive'? A: It comes down to how the spine is reached. Rather than a long incision that strips muscle off the bone, the surgeon works through very small openings, spreading muscle aside and using cameras or tubular retractors to see. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Robotic Pars Repair](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/robotic-pars-repair/) When a painful pars fracture has not improved with appropriate nonsurgical treatment, the next conversation should not automatically begin and end with fusion. - What it is: Direct pars repair treats the fracture within the affected vertebra. It differs from a spinal fusion, which joins adjacent vertebrae and intentionally eliminates movement between them. - Recovery: Recovery has two related but separate goals: improving function and achieving fracture healing. - Q: Is robotic pars repair a spinal fusion? A: No. In the direct repair described here, the screw stabilizes the fracture within the affected vertebra rather than joining adjacent vertebrae across a disc space. The goal is fracture union while preserving motion. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-20) ### [Bertolotti's Endoscopic Resection](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/bertolottis-resection/) Once the extra joint at the base of the spine is confirmed as the pain source, Dr. Melamed removes it through an incision under a centimeter, guided by CT imaging taken during the procedure. - What it is: Bertolotti's syndrome is pain that comes from a lumbosacral transitional vertebra. In some people the lowest lumbar vertebra grows an oversized wing of bone (the transverse process) that meets the sacrum or pelvis and forms a false joint. Plenty of people have that anatomy and feel nothing. - Who it suits: You may be a candidate if imaging (X-ray, MRI, or CT) shows a transitional vertebra with a false joint, your pain sits low in the back or spreads into the hip or buttock on that side, and physical therapy or injections have not given lasting relief. - Recovery: Recovery is built around Dr. Melamed's narcotic-sparing protocol, and many patients need no narcotic pain medication after the procedure. Most can drive within a day or so, return to desk work within days depending on the job, and build back to sports and full activity over about a month. - Used for: Bertolotti's syndrome (lumbosacral transitional vertebra) confirmed as the pain source; Low back, hip, or buttock pain coming from the false joint; Arthritis and inflammation inside the transitional joint; Pain that returns after injections into the false joint wear off - Q: How is endoscopic resection different from traditional Bertolotti's surgery? A: Traditional options are an open resection of the enlarged bone or a fusion of the segment. Dr. Melamed's approach removes the false joint through an incision under 1 cm, using CT imaging and navigation during the procedure and an endoscope to see the joint. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Microdecompression](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/microdecompression-treatments-2/) A small, precise procedure that takes pressure off a pinched nerve - and leaves the rest of your spine untouched. - What it is: Microdecompression is a minimally invasive operation to relieve pressure on a spinal nerve. Through a very small opening, Dr. Melamed removes only what is crowding the nerve - a fragment of herniated disc, a thickened ligament, or a bit of overgrown bone - and nothing more. - Who it suits: Microdecompression is a good fit when imaging shows a clear, focal point of nerve compression - most often from a herniated disc, foraminal narrowing, or a bone spur - and when conservative care has not settled the pain. It is not the right choice for problems driven by instability, which need a different plan. - Recovery: Most patients are up and walking the same day, back to light activity within days, and steadily returning to normal life over the following weeks. Dr. Melamed's approach is designed to minimize narcotics throughout. - Used for: Herniated and bulging discs; Foraminal stenosis; Pinched nerve (radiculopathy) and sciatica; Bone spurs crowding a nerve - Q: Is microdecompression the same as a laminectomy? A: It shares the same goal - freeing a compressed nerve - but the scale is very different. A traditional open laminectomy removes more bone and detaches muscle. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Transthoracic Decompression](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/transthoracic-decompression/) A navigation-assisted, minimally invasive way to reach a thoracic disc or bone spur pressing on the spinal cord from the side of the chest, where the problem actually sits. - What it is: Most mid-back (thoracic) disc herniations press on the spinal cord from the front. That is what makes them hard to treat. Coming in from the back means working around the cord to reach something sitting in front of it, and the thoracic cord has very little room to spare. - Who it suits: This approach is considered for thoracic disc herniations, calcified discs, and bone spurs that compress the spinal cord or a thoracic nerve root, confirmed on MRI and often CT. - Recovery: Because the approach passes through the chest wall, a short hospital stay is usual, and some patients need a temporary chest drain. Walking starts early. - Used for: Thoracic disc herniation pressing on the spinal cord; Calcified thoracic discs; Thoracic myelopathy from compression in front of the cord; Thoracic nerve compression causing band-like chest or abdominal pain - Q: Why go through the chest instead of the back? A: Most thoracic disc herniations sit in front of the spinal cord. Going through the side of the chest lets the surgeon face that material directly and remove it without moving the cord. From the back, the cord is in the way. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [ALIF Surgery](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/alif-surgery-in-beverly-hills/) A lumbar fusion reached from the front, through the abdomen - leaving the muscles of the back untouched. - What it is: ALIF stands for Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion. It is, honestly, a fusion - two vertebrae are joined so they heal into one stable unit - and it is chosen only when the situation genuinely calls for it. What sets ALIF apart is the direction of approach. - Who it suits: ALIF is considered when a lower-back segment has become genuinely unstable or has collapsed - from advanced degeneration, spondylolisthesis where one vertebra slips on another, or a disc that can no longer support and space the spine. - Recovery: Because the back muscles are spared, many patients find the early recovery more comfortable than they expected from a fusion. Walking begins soon after surgery, and activity is rebuilt gradually while the bone fuses over the following months. - Used for: Spondylolisthesis (one vertebra slipping on another); Advanced degenerative disc disease with instability; Collapsed or severely worn lumbar disc; Recurrent problems where the segment needs stabilizing - Q: Is ALIF a fusion? A: Yes - ALIF is a lumbar fusion. The two vertebrae are joined so they heal into one stable segment. What makes it distinct is that it's approached from the front, through the abdomen, which spares the muscles of the back. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Scoliosis & Deformity Surgery](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/scoliosis-deformity-surgery/) Scoliosis and kyphosis correction planned around your spine, not a template: custom-made rods, surgery planned in two stages, and a recovery built without narcotics. - What it is: Scoliosis and deformity surgery realigns a spine that has curved sideways (scoliosis), rounded forward (kyphosis), or lost its overall balance. The aim is not a perfect-looking X-ray. - Who it suits: Surgery is considered when a curve is causing real trouble: ongoing pain, documented progression, a spine that pitches you forward or to one side, or nerve compression. Bracing, therapy, and injections should have been tried and failed to hold it in check. Smaller, stable curves are usually watched, not operated on. - Recovery: Recovery reflects the size of the correction. Patients are usually up and walking soon after each stage, with a hospital stay that depends on the extent of the surgery. Pain is managed through Dr. Melamed's non-narcotic recovery protocol, built around muscle preservation, early movement, and non-opioid pain control. - Used for: Adult and degenerative scoliosis; Adolescent scoliosis that is progressing; Kyphosis and round-back deformity; Flatback and sagittal imbalance (forward-leaning posture); Nerve compression caused by a spinal deformity; Painful curves that conservative care has not controlled - Q: What does custom-made rods mean? A: The rods that hold a correction are shaped for your spine rather than taken as standard shapes. Dr. Melamed plans the contour from your imaging and the correction he is aiming for, so the rods match your anatomy. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [The Intracept Procedure](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/the-intracept-procedure/) A minimally invasive, implant-free way to quiet a specific kind of chronic low back pain at its source - the nerve carrying the signal. - What it is: The Intracept Procedure treats a particular cause of chronic low back pain called vertebrogenic pain - pain that originates from the vertebral endplates, the surfaces where the disc meets the bone. - Who it suits: Intracept is for chronic low back pain - typically lasting six months or more - that shows a specific signature on MRI called Modic changes at the vertebral endplates. That imaging finding is what tells Dr. Melamed the pain is vertebrogenic and that the basivertebral nerve is the right target. - Recovery: Recovery is straightforward because nothing is fused and nothing is left inside. Most patients return home the same day and resume light activity within days, with Dr. Melamed guiding the pace. - Used for: Chronic vertebrogenic low back pain; Endplate-related pain shown by Modic changes on MRI; Persistent low back pain unrelieved by conservative care; Axial (central) low back pain from damaged endplates - Q: Is Intracept a spinal surgery? A: Not in the usual sense. There's no fusion, no implant, and nothing removed from your spine. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [XLIF & ALIF Fusion](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/xlif-alif-fusion/) When a segment truly needs fusing, Dr. Melamed reaches it from the side (XLIF) or the front (ALIF) so the muscles of the back stay intact. Motion-preserving options come first. - What it is: Fusion joins two vertebrae so they heal into one solid segment. Dr. Melamed uses it when fusion is actually needed: a segment that is unstable, slipping, or collapsed, where decompression alone or a disc replacement would not hold up. - Who it suits: XLIF or ALIF is considered for lumbar problems where the segment needs to be stabilized: spondylolisthesis (one vertebra slipping on another), a disc that has collapsed and pinched the nerve openings, instability seen on bending X-rays, degenerative scoliosis, or a level that broke down next to an earlier fusion. - Recovery: Because the back muscles are not cut, early recovery is often easier than after a traditional fusion from the back. Walking starts the day of or the day after surgery, and many patients go home within a day or two depending on the number of levels. - Used for: Spondylolisthesis (a slipping vertebra); Collapsed disc with narrowed nerve openings; Lumbar instability confirmed on imaging; Degenerative scoliosis in the lower back; Breakdown of the level next to a prior fusion - Q: What is the difference between XLIF and ALIF? A: Both are lumbar fusions that avoid cutting the back muscles. XLIF reaches the spine from the side, through the flank. ALIF reaches it from the front, through the lower abdomen. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Focused Shockwave Therapy](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/focused-shockwave-therapy/) A non-invasive, in-office treatment that sends focused acoustic pulses into painful tendons, joints, and bursae. No incision, no injection, and most people go straight back to their day. - What it is: Focused shockwave therapy, also called focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), uses a handheld applicator to send short, high-energy acoustic pulses through the skin. - Who it suits: Good candidates usually have a specific, localized source of pain: a tendon that has not settled with rest and physical therapy, an inflamed bursa, an arthritic joint, or low back pain where MRI shows Modic changes (bone-marrow changes in the vertebrae next to a worn disc). - Recovery: There is no recovery period in the usual sense. You walk out after the session and can go back to normal daily activity. The treated area may feel sore or look a little red for a day or two. - Used for: Modic changes (vertebral endplate changes) associated with low back pain; Tendinopathy and tendinosis; Arthritis; Bursitis; Other soft-tissue conditions after evaluation - Q: Does shockwave therapy hurt? A: Most people feel a strong tapping over the treated area, and some spots are tender. The energy can be turned down if it is uncomfortable. No anesthesia is needed, and you can go back to your day afterward. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [PRP & Cell Therapy](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/prp-and-cell-therapy/) Non-surgical, image-guided injections that use your own biology to calm inflammation and support healing - before anyone talks about an operation. - What it is: PRP and cell-based therapy are regenerative treatments, not surgery. Using a small sample of your own blood or tissue, Dr. Melamed concentrates the platelets and growth factors your body already uses to repair itself, then places them precisely where the pain is coming from. - Who it suits: PRP and cell therapy tend to make the most sense for earlier or milder degenerative changes, facet joint irritation, and soft-tissue pain that has not responded to rest and rehab. - Recovery: Most people return to normal daily activity quickly, often the same day, with a short break from heavy or high-impact exertion while the area responds. - Used for: Early or mild degenerative disc changes; Facet joint irritation and inflammation; Soft-tissue and tendon pain around the spine; Persistent low-grade back pain that has failed rest and rehab - Q: Is PRP or cell therapy a substitute for surgery? A: Sometimes it can delay or avoid surgery, but it is not a guaranteed alternative. It works best as a conservative option for appropriate early or soft-tissue problems. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Longevity: InBody 970S Analysis](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/inbody-970s/) Beyond the scale. Understand your muscle health. Build a more informed plan for your spine. - What it is: A scale cannot distinguish fat from lean tissue. People with similar weight or body mass index can have different body compositions. Research has associated aspects of muscle and fat distribution with chronic pain, although results vary across populations. - Q: Can an InBody scan predict whether I will develop back pain? A: Not by itself. Body composition may contribute to risk assessment in particular groups, but the studies cited here do not validate a personal back-pain prediction score from the 970S. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-25) ### [Fusion & Stabilization](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/minimally-invasive-stabilization-surgery-fusion-surgery/) Joining two vertebrae to stop painful motion - used only when the spine is genuinely unstable, and only after gentler options have been exhausted. - What it is: Fusion permanently joins two vertebrae so they heal into a single, solid unit, ending the painful motion between them. Stabilization hardware holds that segment steady while it heals. Done for the right reason, it can settle pain that comes from a spine that has become genuinely unstable. - Who it suits: Fusion is reserved for true instability - an unstable spondylolisthesis where one vertebra is slipping on another, deformity that needs to be held in a corrected position, or a segment that has failed after prior surgery. - Recovery: Because fusion relies on bone healing into a solid bridge, recovery is a gradual, staged process measured in weeks to months rather than days. A minimally invasive approach spares muscle and typically eases the early recovery. - Used for: Unstable spondylolisthesis (a slipping vertebra); Spinal instability confirmed on imaging; Deformity requiring stabilization; Failed or unstable segment after prior surgery; Recurrent instability-driven back pain - Q: Is fusion always necessary once it's suggested? A: Not with Dr. Melamed. He treats fusion as a last resort and first weighs decompression, motion-preserving surgery, and conservative care. He only recommends fusion when imaging confirms true instability that those gentler options cannot address. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Degenerative Disc Surgery](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/degenerative-disc-disease-surgery/) Surgical options for a worn-out disc - considered only once it is confirmed as the pain source and conservative care has run its course. - What it is: When a disc wears down, it can lose height, inflame the surrounding structures, and become a genuine source of back pain. - Who it suits: Surgery becomes a reasonable conversation when a specific worn disc is confirmed as the pain source, the pain is meaningfully limiting your life, and rest, therapy, and injections have not settled it. It is not for diffuse back pain without a clear generator, or for people who have not yet exhausted conservative care. - Recovery: Recovery depends on which procedure was the right fit. Motion-preserving options often allow a quicker return to activity, while a fusion heals more gradually over weeks to months as the bone knits. - Used for: Painful degenerative disc disease; A collapsed or worn disc confirmed as the pain generator; Disc degeneration with nerve compression; Disc-driven pain that has failed conservative care and injections - Q: How do you know the disc is really causing my pain? A: Dr. Melamed correlates your imaging with your symptoms and exam rather than operating on a scan alone. Surgery is only on the table once a specific disc is confirmed as the pain generator, because degeneration that shows on imaging does not always cause pain. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Cervical & Lumbar Surgery](https://thespinepro.com/treatments/cervical-lumbar-surgery/) Neck and low-back surgery does not have to mean a big open fusion - most problems can be solved through small, muscle-sparing approaches that keep the spine moving. - What it is: Cervical and lumbar surgery covers operations on the two most commonly treated regions of the spine: the neck (cervical) and the lower back (lumbar). - Who it suits: Surgery is considered when a clear structural problem - a herniated disc, stenosis, a pinched nerve, or an unstable segment - matches your symptoms and has not responded to a fair trial of non-surgical care, or when there is progressive weakness or spinal cord involvement that should not wait. - Recovery: Because muscle is spared rather than cut, recovery from a minimally invasive decompression or disc replacement is usually faster and more comfortable than traditional open surgery. - Used for: Cervical radiculopathy; Cervical/lumbar stenosis; Herniated disc; Pinched nerve; Degenerative disc disease; Sciatica - Q: Will I need a fusion for my neck or back problem? A: Often not. Most neck and low-back problems are nerve-compression issues that a muscle-sparing decompression can solve, and worn discs can frequently be treated with motion-preserving disc replacement. Fusion is reserved for genuine instability or deformity. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ## Conditions One block per condition page. Excerpts are from the page as written. ### [Sciatica](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/sciatica/) The shooting leg pain of sciatica almost always comes from a nerve being pinched in the lower back - and it usually settles without a fusion. - Also known as: Lumbar radiculopathy, Radiating leg pain - What it is: Sciatica describes pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve - from the lower back, through the buttock, and down the back of the leg, sometimes all the way to the foot. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis: the real question is what is pressing on or irritating the nerve. - Symptoms: Sharp, burning, or electric pain from the low back into one leg; Numbness or tingling along the leg or into the foot; Weakness in the leg, foot, or big toe; Pain that worsens with sitting, coughing, or sneezing - Causes: Herniated or bulging disc pressing on a nerve root; Spinal or foraminal stenosis narrowing the nerve's exit; Bone spurs from degenerative changes - Treatment: Most sciatica improves without surgery, so the plan almost always begins conservatively - targeted physical therapy, anti-inflammatory measures, and sometimes an image-guided injection to calm an angry nerve root. Dr. Melamed gives that phase a real, honest trial. - Q: Will sciatica go away on its own? A: Often, yes. Sciatica from a fresh disc herniation frequently calms down over several weeks as the inflammation settles. Staying gently active and following a focused therapy plan helps. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Herniated Discs](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/herniated-discs/) When the soft inside of a disc tears through its outer wall and pinches a nearby nerve, the pain is real - but a fusion is rarely the answer. - Also known as: Slipped disc, Ruptured disc, Prolapsed disc - What it is: A spinal disc has a firm outer ring and a soft, gel-like center. A herniated disc happens when that inner material pushes through a tear in the outer wall, spilling into the space where the nerve roots and spinal cord travel. - Symptoms: Sharp or burning pain that radiates into an arm or leg; Numbness or tingling along the path of the affected nerve; Muscle weakness in the arm, hand, leg, or foot; Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, coughing, or sneezing - Causes: Age-related drying and weakening of the disc wall; A sudden strain from lifting, twisting, or a fall; Repetitive bending and heavy loading of the spine - Treatment: Most herniated discs settle without surgery, so the plan begins conservatively - targeted physical therapy, anti-inflammatory measures, activity changes, and sometimes an image-guided epidural injection to quiet an irritated nerve root. - Q: What is the difference between a herniated disc and a bulging disc? A: A bulging disc is an earlier, milder stage where the disc broadens outward but its wall stays intact. A herniated disc is further along: the outer wall tears and the soft center pushes through. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Bulging Discs](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/bulging-discs/) A bulging disc is an early, contained change - most never cause pain at all, and the ones that do rarely need surgery. - Also known as: Disc protrusion, Contained disc - What it is: A bulging disc is one of the earliest signs of normal spinal wear. As a disc loses some of its water and height with age, its outer wall spreads outward past its usual edge - a bit like a tire that flattens slightly under weight. - Symptoms: Often no symptoms at all, especially early on; Dull ache or stiffness in the neck or lower back; Radiating discomfort into an arm or leg if a nerve is crowded; Numbness or tingling along the affected nerve's path - Causes: Age-related drying and flattening of the disc; Repetitive bending, sitting, or loading of the spine; Poor posture and weak core support over time - Treatment: A bulging disc almost never needs surgery. Because the disc wall is still intact, the focus is on calming any irritated nerve and supporting the spine - targeted physical therapy, posture and core work, anti-inflammatory measures, and sometimes an image-guided injection if a nerve root is inflamed. - Q: Is a bulging disc serious? A: Usually not. Bulging discs are a common part of normal aging and often cause no symptoms at all. One only becomes a concern if it broadens enough to press on a nerve, producing pain, numbness, or weakness that travels into an arm or leg. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Spinal Stenosis](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/spinal-stenosis/) The classic sign of spinal stenosis is leg pain that comes on with walking and eases the moment you lean forward or sit down. - Also known as: Central canal stenosis, Lumbar spinal stenosis, Neurogenic claudication - What it is: Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the central canal that houses the spinal cord and nerves. As the space tightens, the nerves have less room and begin to complain - usually not with back pain, but with symptoms that travel into the legs. - Symptoms: Leg pain, heaviness, or cramping that comes on with walking or standing; Relief when sitting, bending forward, or leaning on a cart; Numbness or tingling in one or both legs; Weakness or a feeling of unsteadiness in the legs - Causes: Age-related thickening of the ligaments inside the canal; Bone spurs from arthritis narrowing the space; Loss of disc height that reduces canal room - Treatment: Because the symptoms come and go with position, many people manage spinal stenosis for years without surgery. - Q: Why does leaning forward relieve my spinal stenosis pain? A: Bending forward opens up the spinal canal and gives the crowded nerves a little more room, which is why sitting, leaning on a cart, or stooping quickly eases the leg symptoms. Standing upright and walking narrow the canal again, which is why the pain returns. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Foraminal Stenosis](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/foraminal-stenosis/) Foraminal stenosis pinches a nerve right at its exit door from the spine, which is why the pain follows one clear path down an arm or a leg. - Also known as: Neuroforaminal narrowing, Lateral stenosis, Foraminal narrowing - What it is: Each nerve root leaves the spine through a small bony tunnel called the foramen - one on each side, at every level. Foraminal stenosis is a narrowing of that exit tunnel, and unlike central stenosis it squeezes a single nerve right where it emerges. - Symptoms: Sharp or burning pain following one nerve into an arm or leg; Numbness or tingling in a specific band of skin; Weakness in the muscles served by the affected nerve; Symptoms on one side rather than both - Causes: Loss of disc height that collapses the foramen; Bone spurs growing into the nerve's exit tunnel; Enlarged, arthritic facet joints beside the foramen - Treatment: Foraminal stenosis often responds to non-surgical care, so the plan begins there - physical therapy, posture and traction techniques that open the foramen, anti-inflammatory measures, and image-guided transforaminal injections aimed at the specific irritated nerve root. - Q: What is the difference between foraminal stenosis and spinal stenosis? A: Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the central canal that houses the spinal cord and can crowd several nerves, often causing symptoms in both legs. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Degenerative Disc Disease](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/degenerative-disc-disease/) Worn, dried-out discs are a normal part of aging - and the back pain they cause rarely needs a fusion to settle down. - Also known as: Disc degeneration, Spinal osteoarthritis - What it is: Degenerative disc disease is not really a disease. It describes the gradual changes that happen as the cushioning discs between the vertebrae lose water, height, and flexibility over time. - Symptoms: Deep, aching pain centered in the low back or neck; Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or lifting; Relief when walking or changing positions; Stiffness after long periods of rest - Causes: Natural, age-related drying and thinning of the discs; Loss of disc height that shifts load onto nearby joints; Small tears in the outer disc wall (annular tears) - Treatment: Most disc-related back pain responds to patient, well-structured non-surgical care, so that is where Dr. Melamed starts. - Q: Does degenerative disc disease get worse over time? A: The disc changes themselves are permanent and part of normal aging, but the pain does not always track with them. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Scoliosis](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/scoliosis/) An abnormal sideways curve of the spine ranges from a mild, watch-and-wait finding to a curve that needs correction - and most cases never reach the operating room. - Also known as: Spinal curvature, Adult degenerative scoliosis - What it is: Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine, often shaped like a C or an S when viewed from behind. It falls into two broad groups. Adolescent scoliosis appears during the growing years and is usually painless, picked up on a school or pediatric screening as one shoulder or hip sitting higher than the other. - Symptoms: A visible sideways curve of the spine or a rib prominence; Uneven shoulders, waist, or hips; One side of the back appearing higher when bending forward; Low back pain and stiffness, more common in adults - Causes: Unknown cause in most adolescent cases (idiopathic); Age-related, uneven wear of discs and joints in adults; Loss of disc height that lets the spine tilt to one side - Treatment: For most people, scoliosis is managed without surgery. Growing adolescents with moderate curves are monitored and, when needed, braced to limit progression. - Q: Does every scoliosis curve need surgery? A: No - most do not. Mild and moderate curves are monitored or managed with bracing and therapy, and many adult degenerative curves stay comfortable with strengthening and the occasional injection. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Pars Fracture / Spondylolysis](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/pars-fracture-spondylolysis/) A pars fracture deserves a careful diagnosis-not an automatic recommendation for spinal fusion. - Also known as: Spondylolysis, Pars defect, Pars stress fracture, Lumbar spondylolysis - What it is: The pars interarticularis is a small bridge of bone between the upper and lower joint-bearing portions of a vertebra. A fracture or defect in this area is called spondylolysis. You may also hear it described as a pars defect, pars stress fracture, or lumbar spondylolysis. - Treatment: Yes. Many patients improve with nonsurgical treatment. Depending on the stage of the injury and the patient's symptoms, treatment may include modifying aggravating activities, a guided rehabilitation program, appropriate pain management, and-in selected circumstances-bracing. - Q: What is the difference between a pars fracture and spondylolysis? A: Spondylolysis is the medical term for a fracture or defect in the pars interarticularis, a small bony bridge in a vertebra. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-20) ### [Spondylolisthesis](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/spondylolisthesis/) When one vertebra slides forward over the one below it, the result can be back pain, nerve pain, or both - and the right fix depends entirely on whether the segment is truly unstable. - Also known as: Slipped vertebra, Vertebral slippage - What it is: Spondylolisthesis happens when one vertebra slips forward on the vertebra beneath it, most often in the lower back. That small shift can do two things: it can crowd the nerves as they pass through, and it can leave the segment moving more than it should. - Symptoms: Aching low back pain, often worse with standing or arching back; Leg pain, numbness, or tingling from crowded nerves; Tight hamstrings or a change in walking posture; Pain that eases when bending forward or sitting - Causes: Age-related degeneration of the discs and facet joints; A stress fracture in the bony bridge of the vertebra (spondylolysis); Repetitive hyperextension from sports like gymnastics or football - Treatment: Many people with spondylolisthesis do well without surgery, so Dr. Melamed starts with conservative care: core-focused physical therapy to stabilize the segment, activity modification, anti-inflammatory measures, and image-guided injections when nerve pain is prominent. - Q: Does a slipped vertebra always need to be fused? A: No. Many slips are low-grade and stable, meaning the vertebra is not moving abnormally, and those often improve with therapy or a simple decompression to free a pinched nerve. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Pinched Nerve](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/pinched-nerve/) A pinched nerve is simply a nerve root under pressure - and relieving that pressure rarely means a large operation or a fusion. - Also known as: Radiculopathy, Nerve root compression - What it is: A pinched nerve, known medically as radiculopathy, happens when a spinal nerve root is compressed or irritated where it exits the spine. - Symptoms: Sharp, burning, or electric pain radiating into an arm or leg; Numbness or tingling in a specific band of skin; Weakness in a muscle group served by the nerve; Pain that worsens with certain neck or back positions - Causes: A herniated or bulging disc pressing on a nerve root; Bone spurs narrowing the nerve's exit (foraminal stenosis); Spinal stenosis crowding the nerve as it passes - Treatment: The great majority of pinched nerves calm down without surgery, so Dr. Melamed begins conservatively - targeted physical therapy, activity and posture adjustments, anti-inflammatory measures, and an image-guided injection when a nerve root needs quieting. - Q: Will a pinched nerve heal on its own? A: Often it will. When the cause is a fresh disc herniation, the compression frequently eases over several weeks as the inflammation settles, especially with a focused therapy plan. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Bone Spurs](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/bone-spurs/) Bone spurs are the spine's response to years of wear - harmless until they crowd a nerve, at which point the fix is to remove the overgrowth, not the whole joint. - Also known as: Osteophytes, Spinal osteophytosis - What it is: Bone spurs, or osteophytes, are small projections of extra bone that form along the edges of vertebrae and spinal joints. They are not a disease in themselves but the body's attempt to stabilize a spine that has lost some of its cushioning with age. Many people carry bone spurs for years and never feel them. - Symptoms: Aching pain in the neck or lower back that builds over time; Numbness or tingling radiating into an arm or leg; Weakness in a limb when a nerve is compressed; Stiffness and reduced range of motion - Causes: Age-related degeneration of discs and joints; Osteoarthritis of the spine; Long-term wear from repetitive strain or heavy work - Treatment: When bone spurs are irritating a nerve, the first phase is almost always non-surgical. Physical therapy, anti-inflammatory measures, activity adjustments, and at times an image-guided injection can settle the inflammation and give the nerve room to calm down. - Q: Do bone spurs always need to be removed? A: No. Most bone spurs are found by accident and never cause a problem. They only warrant treatment when they are pressing on a nerve or the spinal cord and producing symptoms. If a spur is silent, Dr. Melamed's advice is usually to leave it alone. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [SI Joint Dysfunction](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/si-joint/) SI joint pain is one of the great imposters of the lower back - frequently blamed on a disc, when the real trouble is the joint where the spine meets the pelvis. - Also known as: Sacroiliac joint dysfunction, SI joint syndrome, Sacroiliitis - What it is: The sacroiliac (SI) joints sit where the base of the spine, the sacrum, joins the pelvis on either side. They are built for stability and move only slightly, transferring load between your upper body and legs. - Symptoms: Deep, one-sided pain low in the back or buttock; Pain that spreads into the groin, hip, or back of the thigh; Sharp flares when standing up, climbing stairs, or rolling over in bed; Discomfort from sitting or standing too long on one side - Causes: Wear and arthritis of the sacroiliac joint; Pregnancy and the ligament changes that follow it; A fall or impact directly onto the buttock or pelvis - Treatment: Most SI joint pain responds well to non-surgical care, so that is where Dr. Melamed starts. Targeted physical therapy to stabilize the pelvis and core, activity changes, anti-inflammatory measures, and a supportive belt can settle the joint. - Q: Why does my SI joint pain get blamed on a disc? A: The two overlap in location and both can send pain into the buttock and leg, so an MRI that shows a normal-looking disc bulge often gets the blame while the real source is missed. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Facet Joint Disease](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/facet-joint-disease/) Facet joint disease is arthritis in the small joints that guide your spine's motion - it aches most when you lean back or twist, and it rarely needs a fusion to settle. - Also known as: Facet joint syndrome, Facet arthropathy, Spinal osteoarthritis - What it is: Behind each pair of vertebrae sit two small facet joints that link one level of the spine to the next and steer how it bends and rotates. Like any joint, they carry cartilage that can wear thin with time. - Symptoms: Aching pain centered in the low back or neck; Pain that worsens with bending backward or twisting; Stiffness that is worst in the morning or after sitting; Tenderness directly over the spine at the affected level - Causes: Age-related wear of the facet cartilage; Osteoarthritis of the spine; Loss of disc height that overloads the facets - Treatment: Facet pain is rarely a surgical problem, so treatment is built around calming the joints and taking load off them. Dr. Melamed starts with physical therapy focused on posture and core support, anti-inflammatory measures, and activity changes. - Q: What is a medial branch block and why would I need one? A: It is a small injection that numbs the tiny nerves carrying pain from a specific facet joint. If it takes your pain away, we know which joint is responsible. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Failed Back Surgery Syndrome](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/failed-back-surgery-syndrome/) Pain that lingers or returns after spine surgery isn't the end of the road - it's a signal to find the true source, and it's exactly the problem many patients come to Dr. Melamed to solve. - Also known as: Post-laminectomy syndrome, FBSS, Post-surgical spine pain - What it is: Failed back surgery syndrome is the term for ongoing back or leg pain that continues, returns, or newly appears after a spine operation. The name is unkind - it doesn't mean the surgeon failed or that nothing can be done. - Symptoms: Back or leg pain that persists after surgery was supposed to fix it; Pain that improved briefly, then returned; New pain at a level next to the previous surgery; Numbness, tingling, or weakness that never fully resolved - Causes: The original pain source was misidentified or at the wrong level; Recurrent disc herniation at the operated level; Scar tissue forming around a nerve root - Treatment: Not every case of failed back surgery needs another operation, and Dr. Melamed says so plainly when that's true. - Q: Does failed back surgery syndrome mean my surgeon made a mistake? A: Not necessarily. More often it means the original operation didn't fully address what was driving the pain, treated the wrong level, or that a new issue developed nearby such as scar tissue or breakdown at the next segment. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Spondylosis](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/spondylosis/) Spondylosis is the medical name for spinal wear and tear - the everyday arthritis of the spine that most people develop as they age, and that only sometimes needs treatment. - Also known as: Spinal osteoarthritis, Degenerative spine disease, Cervical spondylosis (neck), Lumbar spondylosis (lower back) - What it is: Spondylosis is a broad term for the age-related degeneration of the spine: the discs lose height and water content, the joints between the vertebrae develop arthritis, and bone spurs form along the edges of the bones. - Symptoms: Stiffness and aching in the neck or lower back, often worse in the morning; Pain that flares with activity and eases with rest; Reduced flexibility and range of motion; Nerve symptoms - numbness, tingling, or weakness - if a spur or disc pinches a nerve - Causes: Age-related loss of disc height and hydration; Osteoarthritis of the facet joints; Bone spurs (osteophytes) forming along the vertebrae - Treatment: Because spondylosis is a wear pattern rather than a single fixable lesion, treatment is aimed at symptoms and function. - Q: Is spondylosis the same as arthritis? A: Essentially, yes. Spondylosis is osteoarthritis as it affects the spine - the discs, joints, and bones of the vertebral column. It is one of the most common findings on spine imaging in adults over 40, and on its own it is not dangerous. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Torn Disc](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/torn-disc/) A torn disc is a crack in the tough outer wall of a spinal disc - it can be surprisingly painful, but it very rarely needs a fusion to heal. - Also known as: Annular tear, Disc tear, Torn annulus, Discogenic back pain - What it is: Each spinal disc has a soft, gel-like center (the nucleus) held inside a tough, layered outer wall called the annulus fibrosus. A torn disc is a tear through that wall. The outer layers of the annulus are richly supplied with pain nerves, so even a tear that does not press on a nerve can generate real, deep back pain. - Symptoms: Deep, aching, or sharp pain centered in the low back or neck; Pain that worsens with sitting, bending forward, coughing, or sneezing; Pain that eases when lying down or changing position; Occasional radiating pain if the tear inflames a nearby nerve - Causes: Age-related drying and weakening of the disc wall; Repetitive bending, lifting, or twisting; A single injury or heavy strain - Treatment: The outer disc wall has a modest blood supply, so many tears settle down and heal over time with the right care. - Q: Can a torn disc heal on its own? A: Often, yes. The outer layers of the disc wall have some blood supply, so many tears calm down and scar over within weeks to a few months when you avoid the aggravating movements and follow a focused therapy plan. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Disc Extrusion](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/disc-extrusion/) A disc extrusion is a more advanced herniation - the disc's soft center has broken all the way through the outer wall, which is why it so often causes leg or arm pain. - Also known as: Extruded disc, Severe disc herniation, Sequestered disc (when a fragment separates) - What it is: A disc extrusion is one of the more severe forms of a herniated disc. The soft inner core (the nucleus) pushes out and breaks completely through the tough outer wall of the disc, so the escaped material balloons out into the spinal canal. - Symptoms: Sharp, radiating pain down an arm or leg following a nerve's path; Numbness or tingling in the limb, hand, or foot; Muscle weakness in the affected arm or leg; Back or neck pain that may be overshadowed by the limb symptoms - Causes: Progression of a disc herniation through a weakened annular wall; Age-related disc degeneration and drying; A sudden lifting, twisting, or compression injury - Treatment: Even though an extrusion sounds dramatic, the body often reabsorbs the displaced material, and many patients improve without surgery. - Q: Is a disc extrusion worse than a herniation? A: An extrusion is a type of herniation - a more advanced one. In a contained herniation the disc bulges but the wall holds; in an extrusion the inner material breaks all the way through. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Disc Protrusion](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/disc-protrusion/) A disc protrusion is the mildest, contained form of a herniated disc - the wall bulges outward but stays intact, and most cases settle without surgery. - Also known as: Contained disc herniation, Bulging disc, Protruding disc - What it is: A disc protrusion is a contained herniation. The soft inner core of the disc pushes against the outer wall and makes it bulge outward, but the wall does not tear open - the disc material stays contained. - Symptoms: Localized back or neck pain, often the main complaint; Radiating pain into an arm or leg if the bulge contacts a nerve; Numbness or tingling along the affected nerve's path; Mild weakness in the limb in some cases - Causes: Age-related disc degeneration and loss of hydration; Repetitive bending, lifting, or twisting; Poor posture and prolonged sitting - Treatment: Most disc protrusions respond well to conservative care, so that is where treatment begins: physical therapy to strengthen the supporting muscles and improve mechanics, activity modification, anti-inflammatory measures, and - if a nerve is irritated - an image-guided injection to calm it. - Q: What is the difference between a disc protrusion and an extrusion? A: It comes down to whether the disc wall holds. In a protrusion, the wall bulges but stays intact and the material is contained. In an extrusion, the inner material breaks all the way through the wall. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Collapsed Disc](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/collapsed-disc/) A collapsed disc is a disc that has lost most of its height from advanced degeneration - the cushion between two vertebrae has worn thin and flattened. - Also known as: Severe disc degeneration, Loss of disc height, Disc space narrowing, End-stage degenerative disc - What it is: A collapsed disc is the end stage of disc degeneration. Over years, a disc dries out and loses volume; when the height loss is severe, the disc flattens and the two vertebrae it separates settle closer together. - Symptoms: Chronic, aching low back or neck pain, often worse with activity; Stiffness and reduced flexibility; Radiating pain, numbness, or tingling if a nerve exit narrows; Pain with standing or walking that eases when sitting or bending forward - Causes: Advanced, long-standing degenerative disc disease; Age-related drying and thinning of the disc; Prior disc herniation or injury accelerating breakdown - Treatment: A collapsed disc is not automatically a surgical problem - the plan follows the symptoms. - Q: What does a collapsed disc mean? A: It means a spinal disc has lost most of its height from advanced degeneration and flattened, so the two vertebrae it separates sit closer together. It is the late stage of the same wear-and-tear process behind degenerative disc disease. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Annular Tear](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/annular-tear/) An annular tear is a crack in the outer wall of a spinal disc - one of the more common sources of deep, hard-to-place back pain, and one that usually heals without surgery. - Also known as: Torn disc, Annular fissure, High-intensity zone (HIZ), Discogenic pain - What it is: The annulus fibrosus is the tough, layered outer wall of a spinal disc that holds the soft nucleus in place. An annular tear is a disruption of that wall. - Symptoms: Deep, aching, or sharp low back or neck pain; Pain that worsens with sitting, bending forward, coughing, or sneezing; Pain that eases when lying down or standing; Centralized back pain without clear leg or arm symptoms in many cases - Causes: Age-related drying and weakening of the disc wall; Repetitive bending, lifting, and twisting; A single strain or injury - Treatment: The outer annulus has a modest blood supply, so many tears heal and quiet down over time with the right care. - Q: What is an annular tear? A: It is a tear in the annulus fibrosus - the tough outer wall of a spinal disc. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Canal Stenosis](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/canal-stenosis/) When the central spinal canal narrows, it crowds the cord and nerves inside - and the pressure can usually be relieved without a fusion. - Also known as: Central canal stenosis, Central spinal stenosis, Lumbar or cervical stenosis - What it is: Canal stenosis is a narrowing of the central spinal canal, the bony channel that houses the spinal cord and nerve roots. When that space tightens, the neural structures running through it get compressed, which is what produces the pain, numbness, and heaviness people feel. - Symptoms: Aching, cramping, or heaviness in the legs that builds with walking; Relief when sitting or leaning forward, such as on a shopping cart; Numbness or tingling in the legs, buttocks, or (in the neck) the arms; Weakness or a feeling of unsteadiness on your feet - Causes: Age-related thickening of the ligaments lining the canal; Bulging or herniated discs pushing into the canal; Bone spurs from spinal arthritis (spondylosis) - Treatment: Many people with canal stenosis do well without surgery, so the plan usually begins with physical therapy that emphasizes forward-flexion positions, activity adjustments, and sometimes an image-guided epidural injection to quiet inflammation. - Q: How is canal stenosis different from foraminal stenosis? A: Canal stenosis narrows the central channel that carries the spinal cord and nerves, while foraminal stenosis narrows the small side doorways where a single nerve root exits. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Spondylitis](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/spondylitis/) Spondylitis is inflammation of the spinal joints - an autoimmune form of arthritis, not simple wear and tear - and it is managed differently because of that. - Also known as: Ankylosing spondylitis, Axial spondyloarthritis, Inflammatory spinal arthritis - What it is: Spondylitis means inflammation of the joints of the spine. Unlike osteoarthritis, which comes from mechanical wear, spondylitis is driven by the immune system attacking the joints and the places where ligaments attach to bone. - Symptoms: Deep back and buttock stiffness that is worst in the morning or after rest; Stiffness that improves with movement and exercise rather than rest; Gradual onset of symptoms, often before age 40; Pain in the sacroiliac joints where the spine meets the pelvis - Causes: An autoimmune, inflammatory process rather than mechanical wear; A strong genetic component, often linked to the HLA-B27 gene; Inflammation at entheses, where ligaments and tendons attach to bone - Treatment: The foundation of care for spondylitis is medical and is led with rheumatology: anti-inflammatory medication, and for many patients biologic therapies that target the inflammation directly, along with a consistent exercise and posture program that keeps the spine mobile. This is not a condition that surgery cures. - Q: Is spondylitis the same as spinal osteoarthritis? A: No. Spondylitis is inflammatory arthritis driven by the immune system, while osteoarthritis of the spine comes from mechanical wear. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Thoracic Myelopathy](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/thoracic-myelopathy/) Thoracic myelopathy is compression of the spinal cord in the mid-back - a serious problem where the warning signs are worth acting on early. - Also known as: Thoracic spinal cord compression, Compressive myelopathy of the thoracic spine - What it is: Thoracic myelopathy is compression of the spinal cord in the thoracic spine, the mid-back region between the neck and the lower back. - Symptoms: Difficulty walking, unsteadiness, or a change in gait; Heaviness, stiffness, or weakness in the legs; Numbness or a band-like tightness around the chest or trunk; Loss of coordination or balance, especially in the dark - Causes: Thoracic disc herniation pressing on the spinal cord; Bone spurs and arthritis narrowing the canal (spondylosis); Thickening or calcification of the ligaments behind the cord - Treatment: Unlike many spine conditions, established myelopathy from cord compression usually does not improve with therapy or injections alone, because the problem is mechanical pressure on the cord. When the compression is mild and symptoms are minimal, careful monitoring may be reasonable. - Q: Is thoracic myelopathy an emergency? A: It is a condition to take seriously and evaluate promptly rather than a routine backache. Because the spinal cord is involved, symptoms can progress, and function is best protected when compression is relieved before deficits become severe. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Degenerative Joint Disease](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/degenerative-joint-disease/) Degenerative joint disease of the spine is osteoarthritis of the small facet joints - and most of the pain it causes can be managed without a fusion. - Also known as: Facet joint arthritis, Facet joint osteoarthritis, Facet joint disease - What it is: Degenerative joint disease of the spine is osteoarthritis affecting the facet joints - the paired joints at the back of each spinal segment that guide and limit motion. - Symptoms: Deep, aching back or neck pain close to the midline; Pain that worsens with arching backward or standing; Stiffness after rest that loosens with gentle movement; Pain referred into the buttock, hip, or shoulder region - Causes: Age-related breakdown of facet joint cartilage; Bone spurs forming as the joints wear (spondylosis); Extra load on the facets from disc height loss - Treatment: Facet-related degenerative joint disease is usually managed without surgery. The plan centers on physical therapy that builds core and postural support, activity adjustments to reduce joint loading, anti-inflammatory measures, and sometimes image-guided facet injections to calm an inflamed joint. - Q: Is degenerative joint disease the same as arthritis of the spine? A: Degenerative joint disease of the spine specifically refers to osteoarthritis of the facet joints, which is one part of the broader picture of spinal arthritis. Spinal arthritis is the umbrella term and can also involve the discs and other structures. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Arthritis of the Spine](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/arthritis-of-the-spine/) Arthritis of the spine is age-related osteoarthritis of the spinal joints and discs - common, manageable, and rarely a reason for a fusion on its own. - Also known as: Spinal osteoarthritis, Spondylosis, Osteoarthritis of the spine - What it is: Arthritis of the spine is osteoarthritis affecting the structures of the back and neck - the facet joints, the discs, and the surrounding bone. As the smooth cartilage wears and the discs lose height, the body forms bone spurs and the joints stiffen. - Symptoms: Stiffness and aching in the back or neck, worst after rest; Symptoms that loosen with gentle movement and flare with heavy activity; Reduced flexibility and range of motion over time; A grinding or catching sensation with certain movements - Causes: Age-related breakdown of cartilage in the facet joints; Disc degeneration and loss of disc height; Bone spur formation as joints and discs wear - Treatment: Spinal arthritis is managed without surgery in the large majority of cases. The foundation is staying active: physical therapy to build the muscles that support the spine, activity and posture adjustments, weight management, anti-inflammatory measures, and targeted injections when a specific joint or nerve is inflamed. - Q: Is arthritis of the spine the same as degenerative joint disease? A: Degenerative joint disease usually refers specifically to osteoarthritis of the facet joints, while arthritis of the spine is the broader umbrella that also includes disc wear and bone spurs. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Bertolotti's Syndrome](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/bertolottis-syndrome-treatment-in-beverly-hills/) Bertolotti's syndrome is back and hip pain caused by an extra, oversized joint where the lowest spine vertebra meets the pelvis - and pinning down that source is the whole game. - Also known as: Lumbosacral transitional vertebra, Transitional vertebra syndrome - What it is: Bertolotti's syndrome is low back and hip pain that comes from a transitional vertebra at the bottom of the lumbar spine. In some people, the lowest lumbar vertebra has an enlarged transverse process that forms an extra, often oversized joint with the sacrum or pelvis. - Symptoms: Chronic low back pain centered low, near the belt line; Pain that spreads into the hip or buttock, often on one side; Discomfort that worsens with standing, twisting, or bending to the side; Tenderness over the enlarged joint next to the spine - Causes: A transitional lumbosacral vertebra present from birth; An enlarged transverse process forming an extra joint with the sacrum or pelvis; Abnormal loading and motion at that false joint - Treatment: Treatment for Bertolotti's syndrome starts conservatively and is guided by what the diagnostic workup shows. - Q: What exactly is a transitional vertebra? A: It is a common variation where the lowest lumbar vertebra takes on features of the sacrum, often with an enlarged transverse process that forms an extra joint with the pelvis. Having one is normal and frequently painless. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Kyphosis](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/kyphosis/) Kyphosis is a forward rounding of the upper back. Most cases never need an operation, and the ones that do need careful planning more than anything else. - Also known as: Roundback, Hunchback, Hyperkyphosis, Sagittal imbalance - What it is: Every spine has a gentle forward curve in the upper back. Kyphosis is the word doctors use when that curve goes too far, so the upper back rounds forward and the head and shoulders drift ahead of the hips. Some people only notice a change in posture. - Symptoms: A visibly rounded upper back or forward head posture; Mid-back or upper-back pain and stiffness; Fatigue in the back and leg muscles from working to stand upright; Leaning forward when standing or walking for longer periods - Causes: Habitual slouching (postural kyphosis); Scheuermann's disease, where vertebrae grow into a wedge shape in adolescence; Osteoporosis and vertebral compression fractures - Treatment: Most kyphosis is managed without surgery. Postural kyphosis responds to posture work and targeted strengthening. A younger patient with Scheuermann's kyphosis may be braced while still growing. When osteoporosis is part of the picture, treating the bone matters as much as the curve. - Q: Can kyphosis be corrected without surgery? A: Often, yes. Postural kyphosis usually improves with posture training and strengthening, and a brace can help a growing teenager with Scheuermann's kyphosis. Adults with a fixed, structural curve may still manage well with therapy and pain control. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Cervical Radiculopathy](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/cervical-radiculopathy/) A pinched nerve in the neck usually announces itself in the arm: pain, tingling, or weakness that follows one nerve's path down to the hand. - Also known as: Pinched nerve in the neck, Cervical nerve root compression, Cervical radicular pain - What it is: Cervical radiculopathy means a nerve root in the neck is being squeezed or irritated where it leaves the spine. The trouble starts in the neck, but most of the symptoms show up farther down. Pain, numbness, or weakness runs into the shoulder, arm, and hand along the route that one nerve supplies. - Symptoms: Pain that travels from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand; Numbness or pins-and-needles in the arm or fingers; Weakness in the shoulder, arm, or grip; A sharp or burning pain that worsens when you turn or tilt your head - Causes: Herniated cervical disc pressing on a nerve root; Bone spurs and arthritis narrowing the nerve's exit (foraminal stenosis); Disc degeneration and loss of disc height - Treatment: Many people with cervical radiculopathy improve without surgery. The first steps are usually physical therapy, posture and workstation changes, anti-inflammatory medication, and sometimes a steroid injection near the irritated nerve. Dr. Melamed gives that plan a fair trial. - Q: Will a pinched nerve in my neck get better on its own? A: Often, yes. Arm pain from cervical radiculopathy frequently eases over weeks to a few months with therapy, medication, and activity changes. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Cervical Myelopathy](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/cervical-myelopathy/) Cervical myelopathy is pressure on the spinal cord in the neck. It often starts quietly, with clumsy hands or unsteady walking, and it deserves prompt attention. - Also known as: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy, Degenerative cervical myelopathy, Cervical spinal cord compression - What it is: Cervical myelopathy is compression of the spinal cord in the neck. It is different from a pinched nerve. When one nerve root is squeezed, symptoms follow a single path down one arm. - Symptoms: Clumsy hands, dropping objects, or trouble with buttons and handwriting; Numbness or tingling in the hands, often in both; Unsteady walking or a feeling of poor balance; Neck pain or stiffness (not always present) - Causes: Disc herniation or bulging discs pressing on the cord; Bone spurs and arthritis narrowing the spinal canal (cervical spondylosis); Thickening or calcification of the ligaments around the cord - Treatment: Once myelopathy is established, it rarely improves with therapy or injections alone, because the problem is mechanical pressure on the cord. Mild cases with few symptoms are sometimes watched closely. - Q: Is cervical myelopathy an emergency? A: It is a condition to have evaluated soon, not a routine stiff neck. Symptoms can progress, and function is easier to protect when pressure comes off the cord before deficits become severe. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ### [Compression Fracture](https://thespinepro.com/conditions/compression-fracture/) A compression fracture is a vertebra that has partly collapsed. In older adults it often follows a minor fall or even a cough, and most heal without surgery. - Also known as: Vertebral compression fracture, Osteoporotic spine fracture, Wedge fracture - What it is: A compression fracture happens when the front of a vertebra, the block-shaped bone of the spine, cracks and loses height. It is most common in the mid-back and where the mid-back meets the lower back. One fracture may cause sudden back pain. Several, over time, can leave a person shorter and more stooped. - Symptoms: Sudden back pain, often in the mid-back, that worsens when standing or walking; Pain that eases when lying on your back; Loss of height; A rounded or stooped upper back (kyphosis) after several fractures - Causes: Osteoporosis (thinning bone), the most common cause in older adults; Trauma such as a car accident, fall, or sports injury; Long-term steroid use or other conditions that weaken bone - Treatment: Most people with a compression fracture feel better within about three months without surgery, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Conservative care means pain control, a limited period of reduced activity, sometimes a brace, and then physical therapy to rebuild strength. - Q: How long does a compression fracture take to heal? A: Most people feel better within about three months with conservative care, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Your timeline depends on the fracture, your bone quality, and your overall health. - Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS (2026-10-03) ## For patients ### [Out-of-State Patients](https://thespinepro.com/out-of-state-patients/) A large share of Dr. Melamed's patients travel in from other states - often after seeing several surgeons closer to home. Sections: Start with a remote MRI review; Meet by telehealth; Coordinating your trip; What a typical visit looks like - and support after. ### [Telehealth](https://thespinepro.com/telehealth/) A video visit removes the biggest barrier to a second opinion: getting there. Sections: How a virtual consultation works; Who telehealth suits; What can and can't be done remotely. ### [Insurance](https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/insurance/) Understanding how your care will be covered should be simple. Our team handles the details for you: we verify your benefits, explain what to expect, and make sure you have real numbers before any procedure is scheduled. Sections: How coverage works; Before your visit; Out-of-state and traveling patients. ### [Upload Imaging](https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/upload-mri-ct-scans/) Your imaging holds most of the answers, and the best first step is often the simplest: let Dr. Melamed look at it. Sections: How to send your imaging; Dr. Melamed reviews it personally; What you'll learn and how long it takes. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is The Spine Pro? Sources: https://thespinepro.com/, https://thespinepro.com/editorial-policy/ The Spine Pro is the private practice of Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS, an orthopedic spine surgeon in Beverly Hills, California. It treats spine conditions such as sciatica, herniated discs, spinal stenosis and scoliosis with minimally invasive surgery and with non-surgical care. ### Who is Dr. Hooman Melamed? Sources: https://thespinepro.com/about/meet-dr-melamed/, https://thespinepro.com/editorial-policy/ Dr. Hooman Melamed is the surgeon behind The Spine Pro. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (2007), is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and trained in spine surgery as a fellow at the Cedars-Sinai Institute for Spinal Disorders. From 2013 to 2021 he was Director of Scoliosis at Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital. ### Where is The Spine Pro, and which patients does it see? Sources: https://thespinepro.com/beverly-hills/, https://thespinepro.com/out-of-state-patients/ The Spine Pro has one office, at 9777 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 808, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. It sees patients from Beverly Hills and Los Angeles in person. Patients from other states start with a remote MRI review and a telehealth visit, and the practice coordinates one trip to Beverly Hills if surgery is planned. ### How do I contact The Spine Pro or book a visit? Sources: https://thespinepro.com/appointment/, https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/upload-mri-ct-scans/ Call The Spine Pro at (424) 217-7463 (Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm), use the appointment page, or upload an MRI or CT scan for Dr. Melamed to review. ### How can I check Dr. Melamed's credentials? Sources: https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1447350053, https://thespinepro.com/editorial-policy/ Dr. Melamed's National Provider Identifier is 1447350053, and its CMS NPI Registry record lists California Physician's and Surgeon's license A85644. His board certification is with the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, dated 2007. ### What is biportal endoscopic spine surgery (BESS)? Sources: https://thespinepro.com/treatments/bess/ BESS is the procedure The Spine Pro lists first. Dr. Melamed works through two incisions under 1 cm with a high-definition endoscope, and the back muscle is spared rather than cut. He has performed BESS in Beverly Hills since 2019. ### Does Dr. Melamed always recommend a fusion? Sources: https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/faq/, https://thespinepro.com/treatments/artificial-disc-replacement/, https://thespinepro.com/treatments/xlif-alif-fusion/, https://thespinepro.com/second-opinion/ No. The practice FAQ says a fusion recommendation "is not always the only option." Dr. Melamed offers artificial disc replacement, which keeps the treated level moving, and uses XLIF or ALIF fusion when a fusion is actually needed. Patients who were told they need a fusion can ask him for a second opinion on their imaging. ### Can patients from other states see Dr. Melamed? Sources: https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/faq/, https://thespinepro.com/out-of-state-patients/, https://thespinepro.com/telehealth/ Yes. An out-of-state patient uploads imaging first, then has a video visit in which Dr. Melamed goes over the scans and the options. If surgery makes sense, the practice plans a single focused trip, so the patient is not making repeated visits. ### Does The Spine Pro take insurance? Sources: https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/insurance/ Yes. In the site's words: "We work with many major insurance plans and also see out-of-network and self-pay patients. Our team verifies your benefits before any procedure." ### How much does spine surgery cost? Sources: https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/faq/ The site gives no single price. Cost depends on the procedure, the facility and the patient's coverage. After Dr. Melamed reviews the imaging and recommends an approach, The Spine Pro gives an estimate based on the patient's plan. ### Is minimally invasive spine surgery an outpatient procedure? Sources: https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/faq/ Often. The practice FAQ says many biportal endoscopic and minimally invasive procedures are done the same day, so the patient recovers at home, and that whether this fits depends on the condition and the patient's health. ### Will I need opioids after surgery? Sources: https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/faq/, https://thespinepro.com/video/overcoming-pain-through-holistic-approaches-the-spine-pro/ The practice FAQ says Dr. Melamed's approach "is designed to minimize narcotics," and its post-op notes ask patients to use narcotics only if necessary. In a podcast interview on the site, Dr. Melamed says: "Since March of 2018 I think I've given narcotics to maybe less than five patients." ### Who writes and reviews the content on this site? Sources: https://thespinepro.com/editorial-policy/ The practice team and its marketing partner research and write pages under Dr. Melamed's direction, and he has the final say on clinical content. Approved condition, treatment and patient video pages show "Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS" with the review date. Blog articles carry his byline and publish date, without a review line. ## Editorial standards Source: the [editorial policy](https://thespinepro.com/editorial-policy/). - Reviewer: Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS reviews condition, treatment and patient video pages for clinical accuracy. Approved pages show "Medically reviewed by Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS" and the date of his sign-off. - Live publishing stops if any clinical page is still marked as waiting for his review. - Sources: peer-reviewed research (mostly via PubMed), StatPearls chapters on the NCBI Bookshelf, and patient guidance from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, the North American Spine Society and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Most condition and treatment pages end with a Sources list. - Software tools, including AI tools, may help find and organize research; they do not write or edit what is published. - Blog articles carry Dr. Melamed's byline and the publish or update date, without a "Medically reviewed" line. - Patient stories: each testimonial video page carries the note "Patient experiences are individual. Individual results vary." - Corrections: call (424) 217-7463 or write to The Spine Pro, 9777 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 808, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, with the page address. ## Blog and videos - [Blog](https://thespinepro.com/blog/): 229 articles published under Dr. Melamed's name. Not reproduced here; every post is in the sitemap. - [Video hub](https://thespinepro.com/patient-resources/video-hub/): 133 video pages with transcripts (51 of them patient testimonials), plus TV segments. Transcripts are on each video page, not in this file. - [In the news](https://thespinepro.com/in-the-news/): TV and press appearances. ## Authoritative profiles These all refer to the same practice, The Spine Pro (thespinepro.com), or to its surgeon, Dr. Hooman Melamed. Each is linked from this site's structured data. - [Google Business Profile, Beverly Hills](https://www.google.com/maps?cid=16265019114518507623): Hooman M. Melamed, MD FAAOS, 9777 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 808, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 - [YouTube @TheSpinePro](https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpinePro): Dr. Melamed's channel - [CMS NPI Registry](https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1447350053): NPI 1447350053 - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/thespinepro/): Hooman M. Melamed, MD FAAOS (login wall; listed because the site's own structured data links it) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/thespinepro/): The Spine Pro (login wall; listed because the site's own structured data links it) - [X](https://x.com/DrHMelamed): Dr. Melamed - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/hooman-m-melamed-md-faaos-50295b13): Dr. Melamed (login wall; listed because the site's own structured data links it) - [Doximity](https://www.doximity.com/pub/hooman-melamed-md): Dr. Melamed - [Healthgrades](https://www.healthgrades.com/physician/dr-hooman-melamed-xb8yy): Dr. Melamed - [Super Doctors, physician](https://www.superdoctors.com/california-los-angeles/doctor/Hooman-Melamed/b27fb8d8-344d-4fcb-a9b3-bed4f1e016b7.html): Dr. Melamed - [Super Doctors, clinic](https://www.superdoctors.com/california-los-angeles/hospital-clinic/The-Spine-Pro/a505e3ca-f38a-4936-9acb-8ec3687f979d.html): The Spine Pro ## Contact and citation - [Book a consultation](https://thespinepro.com/appointment/): (424) 217-7463, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm. - Mail: The Spine Pro, 9777 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 808, Beverly Hills, CA 90212. - Preferred attribution: The Spine Pro (https://thespinepro.com/). For the surgeon: "Dr. Hooman Melamed, MD, FAAOS, orthopedic spine surgeon, The Spine Pro". - When citing the review figure, keep its source and date: 4.9 from 619 Google reviews, as shown on the site on 2026-10-28. - When quoting a patient story, keep the site's note: "Patient experiences are individual. Individual results vary." - Required notice, verbatim from the site footer: "Content is for general education and is not medical advice. Outcomes vary by patient." ## Optional - [llms.txt](https://thespinepro.com/llms.txt): the short index of this file. - [XML sitemap](https://thespinepro.com/sitemap-index.xml): every published URL, including all blog posts and video pages.