Dr. Paulson is Fellowship Trained in Complex Spine Surgery from The Swedish Neuroscience Institute Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine Fellowship Program

The Swedish Neuroscience Institute Complex and Minimally Invasive Spine Fellowship Program was developed to provide an academic environment in which an exemplary spine surgeon can gain the necessary experience to be fully capable of evaluating and treating a broad spectrum of adult spinal disorders.

Spine Fellows are exposed to all aspects of spine care. It is a high-volume tertiary spine care center that deals with trauma, tumors, infection, and degenerative conditions of all areas of the spine. There is an emphasis on complex adult spinal deformity. This includes the occipital/cervical and cervicothoracic junction. In addition, there will be exposure to all types of osteotomies, anterior and lateral approaches to the spine.

This is a unique fellowship in that it is a combined orthopedic spine and neuro-surgical spine fellowship. There is a wide array of pathology giving a large and diverse perspective on spine management.

A condition which refers to a problem with a rubbery disc between the spinal bones.

This condition occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tougher exterior casing.

Some herniated discs cause no symptoms. Others can irritate nearby nerves and result in pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg.

Not every disc needs intervention. When needed, treatment includes medication, physical therapy, and possibly surgery.

Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing (stenosis) of the spinal canal that may occur in any of the regions of the spine. This narrowing causes a restriction to the spinal canal, resulting in a neurological deficit

Syringomyelia is a generic term referring to a disorder in which a cyst or cavity forms within the spinal cord. This cyst, called a syrinx, can expand, and elongate over time, destroying the spinal cord.

Spondylolysis is defined as a defect or stress fracture in the pars interarticularis of the vertebral arch. The vast majority of cases occur in the lower lumbar vertebrae (L5), but spondylolysis may also occur in the cervical vertebrae.

Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one bone in your back (vertebra) slides forward over the bone below it

Scoliosis is a medical condition in which a person's spine has a sideways curve.

A compression fracture is a collapse of a vertebra.

Facet syndrome is a syndrome in which the facet joints (synovial diarthroses, from C2 to S1) cause back pain.

Sciatica is a medical condition of pain going down the leg from the lower back.

Myelopathy describes any neurologic deficit related to the spinal cord.When due to trauma, it is known as a spinal cord injury. When inflammatory, it is known as myelitis. Disease that is vascular in nature is known as vascular myelopathy. The most common form of myelopathy in human, cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is caused by arthritic changes (spondylosis) of the cervical spine, which result in narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) ultimately causing compression of the spinal cord.

Damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal.

A spinal tumor is a growth that develops within your spinal canal or within the bones of your spine. It may be cancerous or noncancerous.

A pars defect or spondylolysis is a stress fracture of the bones of the lower spine. These fractures typically occur due to overuse. They can be on one or both sides of the vertebrae. It is a common cause of low back pain in children and adolescents.

Artificial discs may offer benefits such as:

• Greater flexibility

• Increased functionality and range of motion

• Limited transference of stress onto remaining discs (causing the remaining discs to fail)

• Relief of debilitating pain

• Greater spinal stability