Told you need a spinal fusion? There may be another option.

Dr. T is a spine surgeon in Scottsdale, Arizona whose practice is dedicated to ultra-minimally-invasive and full-endoscopic spine procedures, including non-fusion and motion-preserving options. Rather than offering general spine care, the practice is built around these specific techniques.

MicroSpine is located at 14300 N Northsight Blvd, #213, Scottsdale, AZ 85260, and performs minimally invasive and full-endoscopic spine procedures. Consultations can be requested by phone at 602-833-2141 or through the form on this page.

Dr. T evaluates and treats herniated discs for patients across the Phoenix metro, including Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa and Chandler. Treatment may involve endoscopic discectomy, other minimally invasive options, or non-surgical care — which approach applies depends on your imaging and symptoms.

Sciatica is usually a symptom of a nerve being compressed in the lower spine rather than a diagnosis on its own. Dr. T sees sciatica patients from Tempe and the surrounding Phoenix metro at the Scottsdale office, and evaluates whether the compression can be treated through a full-endoscopic approach.

MicroSpine performs full-endoscopic spine procedures at its Scottsdale office, serving patients throughout Maricopa County. Endoscopic technique means working through a single small portal with an endoscope rather than a wider open exposure.

Dr. T treats spinal stenosis patients from Mesa and across the East Valley. Stenosis is a narrowing of the space around the spinal cord or nerves; depending on the pattern, it may be addressed with an endoscopic decompression rather than a fusion.

A pinched nerve in the spine can cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness that travels into an arm or leg. Dr. T evaluates pinched-nerve patients at the Scottsdale office and, where appropriate, treats the compression through a full-endoscopic decompression.

Yes. Non-fusion and motion-preserving procedures are a focus of this practice, and patients travel from Chandler to the Scottsdale office. Whether a non-fusion approach is appropriate for you depends on your diagnosis, your imaging and your history — it is not right for every patient.

Yes. MicroSpine regularly works with patients using out-of-network benefits and with patients paying privately, including those traveling from outside Arizona. Cost is discussed directly and up front rather than routed through a referral chain.

Yes, and it is one of the most common reasons patients contact this office. Bring your imaging and the recommendation you were given. You will get a direct assessment of whether a less invasive or non-fusion option applies in your case — including an honest answer if it does not.

Sciatica is a common term for pain that starts in the low back or buttock and travels into the leg. It may feel sharp, burning, electric, shooting, or aching. Some people also have tingling, numbness, or weakness in the leg or foot. The symptoms often result from irritation or pressure on a nerve root in the lower back.

Many herniated discs improve without surgery. Initial treatment may include staying active within comfort, physical therapy, medications, and injections when appropriate. Surgery may be considered when pain remains severe or limiting, weakness progresses, or imaging shows nerve compression that matches the symptoms and examination.

Yes. Many patients with sciatica do not need lumbar fusion. Treatment may include physical therapy, medications, injections, or a decompression procedure to relieve pressure on a nerve. Fusion is considered only when there is a specific reason, such as instability, deformity, or another condition requiring stabilization.

Endoscopic lumbar spine surgery uses a small camera and specialized instruments through a small incision to treat selected causes of nerve compression. The surgeon uses the endoscope to view the affected area and remove disc material, bone, or other tissue pressing on the nerve.

Both endoscopic lumbar discectomy and microdiscectomy remove herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve. Endoscopic surgery uses a small camera through a small incision, while microdiscectomy uses a small incision with magnification from a microscope or other visualization tools. The right approach depends on the disc location, anatomy, and surgical goals.

Urgent evaluation is important for new or worsening leg weakness, foot drop, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, loss of bladder or bowel control, inability to urinate, severe pain after major trauma, fever with severe back pain, or rapidly worsening symptoms. These signs can indicate significant nerve compression or another serious condition.

Cervical radiculopathy is a pinched or irritated nerve root in the neck. It can cause pain that travels from the neck into the shoulder, arm, or hand. Some people also have numbness, tingling, weakness, or changes in reflexes. A herniated disc or age-related narrowing around a nerve can cause cervical radiculopathy.

Cervical myelopathy is spinal cord dysfunction caused by pressure on the spinal cord in the neck. Symptoms may include hand clumsiness, trouble with buttons or handwriting, balance difficulty, walking changes, arm or leg weakness, numbness, or bowel or bladder changes. Because spinal cord symptoms can worsen over time, cervical myelopathy requires timely evaluation.

Endoscopic cervical spine surgery uses a small camera and specialized instruments through a small incision to treat selected causes of cervical nerve compression. The surgeon uses the camera to view the affected area and remove tissue or bone that is pressing on a nerve. The approach and procedure depend on the location and type of compression.

Endoscopic cervical surgery is often performed from the back or side of the neck to relieve pressure on a nerve while preserving the disc and motion when appropriate. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, or ACDF, is performed through the front of the neck, removes the affected disc, relieves nerve or spinal cord compression, and joins the treated bones together. The appropriate procedure depends on the location of compression, spinal alignment, stability, and individual anatomy.

Cervical artificial disc replacement is a surgery in which a damaged disc in the neck is removed and replaced with an implant designed to preserve movement at that level. The procedure can relieve pressure on a nerve root or spinal cord in appropriately selected patients. It is also called cervical disc arthroplasty.

Both cervical artificial disc replacement and cervical fusion remove the damaged disc and relieve pressure on nerves or the spinal cord. With artificial disc replacement, the surgeon places an implant intended to preserve movement at the treated level. With fusion, the treated bones are joined together so that level no longer moves. The right choice depends on the disc problem, spinal alignment, stability, facet-joint condition, bone health, and other individual factors.