When spine pain or limited mobility begins to interfere with your daily life, you may start exploring treatment options that provide meaningful and lasting relief. At Utah Orthopaedics in Ogden, UT, you receive care from specialists who help you understand your condition and determine whether spine surgery is the right step for you. Your care plan is centered on your needs, comfort, and goals, ensuring that every decision supports your long-term health and function.
Common Conditions That May Require Spine Surgery
Spine surgery is typically considered when conservative treatments no longer ease symptoms or when neurological function is at risk. You may be evaluated for surgery if you experience one of the following conditions:
Herniated Discs
A disc that slips or ruptures can press on nerves, causing pain that travels into your arms or legs. Surgery may help when persistent pain or weakness interferes with normal activity.
Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal can compress the spinal cord or nerves. If nonsurgical therapies fail, surgical decompression may restore space and relieve symptoms.
Degenerative Disc Disease
As discs lose height and flexibility with age, you may feel chronic back or neck pain. Surgery is considered when degeneration leads to instability or nerve compression.
Spondylolisthesis
This condition occurs when a vertebra shifts out of place. If symptoms progress or nerve function declines, you may benefit from surgical stabilization.
Spinal Fractures
Traumatic injuries or osteoporosis can cause fractures that compromise spinal stability. Surgery may be recommended to protect the spinal cord and promote safe healing.
Radiculopathy and Nerve Compression
When a nerve becomes pinched, you may notice numbness, tingling, or weakness. Surgery can help free the compressed nerve and improve function.
When Spine Surgery Is Recommended
You may be advised to consider spine surgery when you continue to experience significant pain, weakness, or mobility limitations despite medication, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Surgery is also recommended if your imaging studies show structural problems that affect nerve health or spinal stability. Your surgeon helps you understand the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes so you can make an informed choice that aligns with your goals.
Preparing for Spine Surgery
Before your procedure, your surgeon reviews your medical history, imaging results, and current symptoms. You receive guidance on medications, activity restrictions, and any preoperative testing you may need. You are also encouraged to plan for a supportive recovery environment at home, including help with transportation, mobility, and daily tasks during the early healing period.
Recovery After Spine Surgery
Recovery times vary based on the type of surgery, your overall health, and the severity of your condition. You can expect gradual improvement as swelling decreases and tissues heal. Physical therapy often plays an important role in restoring strength and mobility. Your care team provides clear instructions on activity progression, incision care, and follow-up visits to help you return safely to your normal routine.
Why Choose Utah Orthopaedics
Utah Orthopaedics offers a comprehensive approach to spine care, combining advanced diagnostic technology with individualized treatment planning. You receive care from specialists who prioritize conservative options when appropriate and provide experienced surgical care when needed. The team focuses on communication, education, and support, helping you make confident decisions about your spine health. With a commitment to patient-centered care, you are guided through each stage of treatment with clarity and compassion.
About Dr. Kade Huntsman
Huntsman Spinal Clinic
Dr. Kade Huntsman specializes in complex and minimally invasive spine surgery of the neck and back, including athletic injuries of the spine. Dr. Huntsman joined the Salt Lake Orthopedic Clinic in 2002 and has served as Chief of Surgery at St. Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, leading a top spine surgery program, consistently ranked nationally for excellence. He has served as President of the Utah State Orthopedic Society and is very active in the International and National spine community, as well as the local community.
After graduating from the University of Utah, where Dr. Huntsman obtained a degree in Biology, Chemistry, and Asian Languages, he completed his MD at the Eastern Virginia Medical School of the Medical College of Hampton Roads. He went on to residency at Case Western Reserve University, training under Henry Boihlman. He completed a spine fellowship at the Rocky Mountain Spine Clinic with Dr Jack Odom. Dr. Huntsman has been at the Salt Lake Orthopedic Clinic advancing spine surgery since 2002.
The team at the Huntsman Spine Clinic is very active in research and development, advancing spine surgery through improved surgical techniques, improved implants, advancing motion preservation, and merging technology from the tech industry to the OR. He has helped advance intraoperative advanced imaging technology, spinal surgery robotics, and neuromonitoring, which when combined allows for safer minimally invasive approaches for his patients.
Dr. Huntsman has a team of specialists that care for all spine related conditions including conservative and surgical approaches to sports injuries, degenerative conditions, complex reconstructive procedures such as scoliosis, and motion preservation procedures including cervical and lumbar disk replacement. His team consists of physical therapists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, pain and injection physicians, and a world class team of nurses and staff at St Mark’s Hospital in Salt Lake City.
Dr. Huntsman is board certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and has membership in several National and International organizations where he is often speaks about his passion of advancing spinal surgery.
Schedule Your Appointment
If spine pain limits your mobility or quality of life, you can take the first step toward relief by contacting Utah Orthopaedics in Ogden, UT. Call (801) 917-8000 to schedule an evaluation and explore treatment options tailored to your needs.
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