At The Orthopedic Partners, our spine care services are dedicated to addressing a broad spectrum of spinal conditions, utilizing both advanced surgical techniques and conservative treatments tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Our spine specialists offer personalized and evidence-based care, aiming to enhance the quality of life for individuals dealing with spinal issues.

About the Spine

The spine is a complex and vital part of your body, consisting of 33 vertebrae, intervertebral discs, nerves, and muscles. It supports your body, allows for movement, and protects your spinal cord, which is the communication highway between your brain and the rest of your body. Given its complexity and importance, the spine is susceptible to a range of conditions that require specialized care.

Leading-edge Spine Technology

At The Orthopedic Partners, we use some of the most advanced tools in spine surgery to improve precision, safety, and long-term outcomes, especially during complex or minimally invasive procedures. Our investment in technology allows us to tailor care even more precisely to each patient’s anatomy and condition.

Robotic-assisted Spine Surgery

This technology provides real-time guidance during surgery, helping our surgeons plan and place implants with exceptional accuracy. Robotic assistance is especially useful in spinal fusion and deformity correction, where millimeter-level precision matters.

Computer-assisted Navigation

Like a GPS for the spine, computer-assisted navigation gives our team a real-time view of your anatomy throughout surgery. It improves visualization, reduces the need for repeated imaging, and supports safer, more efficient procedures, particularly in minimally invasive and complex spine cases.

Spine Conditions We Treat

At The Orthopedic Partners, we specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide array of spinal conditions.

Neck Conditions
(Cervical Spine)

  • Cervical Disc Herniation: A bulging or ruptured disc in the neck that can press on nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the shoulders, arms, or hands.
  • Cervical Radiculopathy: A “pinched nerve” in the neck that leads to radiating pain, tingling, or weakness in the arms or upper back.
  • Cervical Spondylosis: Age-related wear and tear (neck arthritis) in the cervical spine that can cause stiffness, reduced mobility, and nerve irritation.
  • Cervical Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck, which can cause compression of the spinal cord or nerves.
  • Degenerative Disc Disease in the Neck: Breakdown of spinal discs over time, leading to chronic neck pain, stiffness, or instability.
  • Cervical Myelopathy: Pressure on the spinal cord in the neck that can cause balance problems, hand clumsiness, or even weakness in the limbs.
  • Neck Fractures: Breaks in the cervical vertebrae, often due to trauma, requiring careful stabilization or surgery.

Back Conditions
(Thoracic & Lumbar Spine)

  • Lumbar or Thoracic Disc Herniation: A damaged disc in the mid or lower spine presses on nearby nerves, causing back pain, leg pain, or weakness.
  • Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica): A “pinched nerve” in the low back that leads to radiating pain, tingling, or weakness in the legs or buttocks.
  • Spinal Stenosis: A narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve root canals that can cause pain, numbness, or difficulty walking.
  • Degenerative Disc Disease in the Low Back: Gradual disc wear that can lead to low back pain, instability, or nerve irritation.
  • Spondylolisthesis: A vertebra that slips out of place, often causing back pain or nerve compression.
  • Scoliosis (Adult and Adolescent): An abnormal sideways curvature of the spine that may worsen over time and cause discomfort or posture changes.
  • Kyphosis: A forward rounding of the upper back that can lead to pain, stiffness, or visible deformity.
  • Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction: Inflammation, degenerative wear-and-tear (arthritis), or misalignment of the joint between the spine and pelvis, often causing low back or buttock pain.
  • Spinal Fractures: Breaks in the vertebrae that may result from trauma, osteoporosis, or tumors.
  • Back Pain After Surgery: Persistent or recurring back pain after a previous spine procedure, often requiring specialized evaluation.

Spine Trauma, Deformity & Other Conditions

  • Spine Trauma and Fractures: Injuries to the spine from accidents or falls that can result in fractures, instability, or nerve damage.
  • Spinal Tumors: Abnormal growths in or around the spinal cord that can compress nerves or cause spine instability.
  • Complex Spinal Deformity: Severe misalignments of the spine, such as scoliosis or kyphosis, that may impact posture, movement, or organ function.
  • Spine Infections: Infections that affect the vertebrae or discs, leading to severe pain, fever, and potential neurological symptoms.
  • Ankylosing Spondylitis and Other Inflammatory Spine Diseases: Chronic inflammatory conditions that affect spinal joints, causing stiffness, fusion, and decreased mobility.
  • Congenital Spine Disorders: Spine abnormalities present at birth that may lead to pain, deformity, or neurological issues over time.
  • Recurrent Disc Herniations: Repeat herniations at the same spinal level after previous treatment, often requiring revision surgery.

Advanced Treatment Options

We tailor every treatment plan to your individual goals and lifestyle. Whether you need conservative care or surgery, we offer a range of modern spine treatments founded on precision and innovation.

Cervical Procedures
(Neck)

  • Cervical Disc Replacement: A motion-preserving alternative to fusion for treating disc degeneration.
  • Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF): A powerful tool for removing herniated discs, correcting deformity, and stabilizing the spine through a small incision in the front of the neck.
  • Posterior Cervical Fusion (PCDF): Relieves spinal cord compression and stabilizes the spine through the back of the neck.
  • Cervical Laminoplasty: Expands the spinal canal to relieve spinal cord compression while maintaining motion.

Lumbar Procedures
(Low Back)

  • Minimally Invasive Lumbar Microdiscectomy: Removes herniated disc material through a small incision to relieve nerve pressure.
  • Lumbar Decompression and Fusion: Removes the bone spurs, overgrown ligaments, and herniated discs compressing the spinal nerves and stabilizes the spine through an incision on the low back.
  • Minimally Invasive TLIF (MIS TLIF): A less invasive method to decompress the spinal nerves and stabilize the spine with quicker recovery.
  • Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion (LLIF): A minimally invasive method to relieve nerve compression and stabilize the spine.
  • Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF): A powerful approach to fusion performed through the abdomen to treat disc degeneration, spinal deformity, and spondylolisthesis.
  • Lumbar Facet Joint Replacement: An alternative to fusion for relief of spinal stenosis and stabilization of slipped vertebrae while preserving mobility. 

Sacroiliac Joint Procedures

  • Minimally Invasive SI Joint Fusion: Fuses the sacroiliac joint through a small incision to relieve chronic SI joint pain.

Complex Spine and Deformity Surgery

  • Adult Complex Spinal Deformity Correction: Combines advanced surgical techniques to correct scoliosis, kyphosis, slipped vertebrae (spondylolisthesis) and other spinal alignment problems.
  • Adolescent Scoliosis Surgery: Specialized care for teens and young adults with abnormal spinal curvature.
  • Reconstructive Spine Surgery for failed back surgery, advanced degeneration, or spinal imbalance

New Patient Consultation - 801-507-9555

Dr. Rich sees patients in Park City at The Orthopedic Partners and in Salt Lake at Neurosurgical Associates.

To request a consultation with Dr. Rich, please fill out the new patient form and call Neurosurgical Associates directly at 801-507-9555.

Why Choose The Orthopedic Partners?

At The Orthopedic Partners, we combine cutting-edge technology with compassionate care to deliver the highest standard of treatment for spinal conditions. Our specialists are dedicated to staying at the forefront of spine care, ensuring that you receive the most advanced and effective treatments available. Whether you’re dealing with a spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, or any other spine condition, our goal is to help you achieve a pain-free, active life.