Spinal pain is one of the most frequent reasons people visit their doctor. Fortunately, the most common reason for spinal pain arises from the muscles and can be treated conservatively. However, the source of your pain may be more complex from pressure or pinching of a spinal nerve. The Spine + Interventional Medicine experts at Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists will help you determine what alternatives exist for your pain.
At Orthopedic + Fracture Specialists, we understand the frustration that comes with these challenges. For 90+ years, our team of highly specialized providers has been helping individuals in Portland and the surrounding community get back to living fully, without being weighed down by neck or spine issues.
If you’re navigating discomfort or dealing with mobility concerns, our expert neck and spine specialists are here to put your life in motion.
Neck and spine issues don't wait for adulthood, and neither do we.
Dr. Jeana Summers completed a pediatric orthopedic fellowship at Phoenix Children's Hospital and has a special interest in pediatric spinal deformities, including scoliosis, along with hip preservation and sports injuries in growing bodies. Her training as an osteopathic physician adds a whole-body approach to how she evaluates a child's spine, beyond the curve an X-ray shows. If your child was flagged for scoliosis at a school screening or is dealing with back pain from year-round club sports, she's the provider on this team built for exactly that conversation.
On the other end of the age range, degenerative conditions such as spinal stenosis and facet arthritis become more common as the spine settles with age. These changes can affect whether you can keep up with grandchildren, finish a full shift at work, or spend a weekend in the garden without your back stopping you. Our team adjusts treatment to fit an active senior's goals with the same care we bring to a teenage athlete's recovery.
Whether your child just left a pediatrician's office with a scoliosis referral or you're managing decades of wear and tear, you'll find a provider on this team who treats patients exactly like you.
Most people picture surgery the moment they hear "spine problem," but that's rarely where care starts.
Your first stop is often a physiatrist, a doctor who specializes in nonsurgical rehabilitation, or a physical therapist working alongside one. Dr. Edward Lairson, MD and Dr. Ryan Thompson, DO are both board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and focus on exactly this kind of interventional, nonsurgical spine care. A typical path looks like this:
If those steps don't resolve your symptoms, or your imaging shows a structural problem they can't fix, surgery becomes part of the conversation. Dr. Mark Manoso, MD completed a fellowship in spine surgery at Harborview Medical Center and the University of Washington and performs procedures ranging from multi-level cervical disc replacement to minimally invasive spine surgery. Dr. George Oji, MD brings the same approach to complex spine and neck cases. Even then, we walk you through exactly what surgery would involve before we schedule anything. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), many episodes of neck pain improve over time without surgical treatment, and our job is to help you get there as directly as possible.
Herniated discs occur when the cushioning discs between your vertebrae slip out of place or rupture. These discs act as shock absorbers, and when they press on nearby nerves, they can cause significant pain, numbness, or weakness. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), herniation often follows lifting, pulling, bending, or twisting movements, and the risk rises as discs naturally wear down with age. Treatment ranges from physical therapy and pain management to, in severe cases, surgery.
Degenerative disc disease develops from the natural wear and tear your spinal discs go through as you age. Over time, discs lose flexibility, hydration, and their ability to cushion the spine, which can lead to chronic discomfort, stiffness, and nerve-related pain. AAOS notes that age is the single biggest risk factor for this kind of degeneration, and it becomes especially common in middle-aged and older adults. It's a natural part of aging, but lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and pain management techniques can help improve symptoms and maintain mobility.
Spinal stenosis occurs when the spaces within your spine gradually narrow, putting pressure on the spinal cord or nearby nerves. AAOS points to arthritis as the most common cause, developing as spinal discs dry out and lose height with age and shift extra pressure onto the joints behind them. Symptoms can include pain, numbness, or weakness in the back, legs, or arms. Mild cases often respond to exercise and medication, while more advanced cases may need surgical intervention to relieve pressure.
Cervical radiculopathy, commonly known as a pinched nerve, happens when a nerve root in the neck becomes irritated or compressed, often by a herniated disc, a bone spur, or general wear and tear. This can cause pain that radiates down the arms or shoulders, along with numbness, tingling, or weakness. AAOS notes that nearly half of middle-aged and older adults have worn discs or pinched nerves that never cause any pain at all, so changes showing up on an image don't automatically mean they're the source of your symptoms. Treatment typically involves rest, physical therapy, and medications to reduce inflammation.
Spine facet arthritis develops when the cartilage in the small facet joints connecting your vertebrae wears down, leading to pain, stiffness, and inflammation. These joints let your spine bend and rotate, and AAOS notes that, like any joint, they can develop arthritis and become a source of neck or back pain. This is often caused by aging, repetitive stress, or old injuries that place extra strain on the spine. Treatment typically combines physical therapy, medications, lifestyle modifications, and in some cases, injections to manage pain and improve mobility.
If you've been dealing with persistent pain, stiffness, or numbness for more than a few weeks, or if your pain radiates to your arms, shoulders, or legs, it's time to consult a specialist. Early intervention can help prevent symptoms from worsening.
We may recommend imaging tests like X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to pinpoint the cause of your pain. We'll walk you through what to expect before any of it happens.
Yes! Most patients improve with physical therapy, medication management, or a physiatrist-guided treatment plan before surgery is ever on the table. If those options don't fully resolve your symptoms, interventional treatments like targeted injections are often the next step, and our team, including Dr. Edward Lairson and Dr. Ryan Thompson, focuses on exactly this kind of nonsurgical spine care. Surgery, including robotic-assisted options, is something we discuss only after conservative care has been fully explored.
Yes. Nerve compression and other neurological factors overlap with spine care all the time, and we treat those here rather than sending you elsewhere.
If your child has been flagged for scoliosis or another spinal curve at a school screening or pediatric visit, yes, it's worth a specialist's evaluation. Dr. Jeana Summers, who completed additional fellowship training in pediatric orthopedics, evaluates spinal deformities in children and can tell you whether watching, bracing, or treatment is the right next step. Most curves caught early don't require surgery.
You can schedule an appointment by using our online tool or giving us a call. We're ready to help you find relief and get back to living your life!
