At Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance, back support means more than performing procedures.
It means giving you the full support of experts in every aspect of back and neck care. It means using conservative and minimally invasive approaches whenever possible, and corrective surgical treatments when necessary. It means providing pre-op classes to help you prepare for surgery, and the latest rehabilitation therapies to help you recover quickly and safely. And it means streamlining every step, from evaluation through treatment, to ease your way through the process.
In our Spine Program, we pair you with a spine-care coordinator who works with you to consider all of your options – because back support means more here.
Our experienced team treats a wide variety of conditions affecting the back and neck, including:
Sciatica
Sacroiliac (SI) joint pain
Osteoporosis and resultant spinal fractures
Low-back pain
Herniated disks
Degenerative disk disease
Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra)
Myelopathy (spinal cord problems caused by compression in the neck)
Spinal curvature (scoliosis, kyphosis and deformities)
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
Spinal cord compression
Radiculopathy (pinched nerves)
Flatback deformity
Failed neck surgery
We offer minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate including:
Microsurgery
Kyphoplasty
Microdecompression
Laminotomy (cervical & lumbar)
Anterior interbody fusion via lateral approach (XLIF)
Vertebroplasty
Lumbar interbody fusion (XLIF)
Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance offers the ExcelsiusGPS™ robot for spine surgery, a state-of-the-art surgical system that’s revolutionized the way spine surgeries are performed. With a focus on innovation, the ExcelsiusGPS™ robot navigates minimally invasive spine procedures by translating the surgeon's hand movements into micro-movements. This means smaller incisions, faster recoveries and enhanced accuracy.
Other surgical treatments include:
Artificial disk replacement
Laminectomy/laminoplasty
Spinal fusion
Corpectomy
Spinal cord stimulation
Interlaminar stabilization
Interspinous fusion
Micro endoscopic posterior discectomy
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PILF)
Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
Sclerosis surgery
Many of our patients get excellent pain relief from non-surgical therapies, such as:
Physical therapy
Physical and rehabilitation medicine (physiatry)
Pain-relieving injections
Non-narcotic medications
Epidural steroid injections
Radiofrequency neurotomy, facet denervation and rhizotomy (injection procedures to quiet nerve pain)
Disk biacuplasty (a treatment for damaged disks that uses heat to interrupt pain signals)
We offer pre-op spine classes on the first Tuesday of each month to help you prepare for your upcoming surgery. In the class, you’ll learn how to prepare at home, what to expect during your hospital stay, how physical therapy may help afterwards, and more. We’ll also take time to answer any questions and address any concerns you may have. To learn more, call 844-510-4325.
Spine Pain Assessment for Back and Neck
Back and neck pain affects millions. In just a few minutes, our spine pain quiz helps you better understand your symptoms and how severe they may be. You’ll receive personalized guidance so you can take the next step with confidence.
Get access to our vast network of dedicated and compassionate providers who offer personalized care by focusing on treatment, prevention and health education.
Accuracy and precision are of the utmost importance during complex spinal surgeries. ExcelsiusGPS® by Globus Medical is robotic technology that uses X-rays and image guidance to help surgeons make precise incisions and enhances the accurate placement of screws and other implants.
Using advanced navigation tools, ExcelsiusGPS® allows surgeons to move in smaller surgical areas with fewer incisions, leading to less tissue damage and shorter recovery times.
Seek immediate medical attention if your back pain is accompanied by any of the following:
It follows a serious injury or trauma, such as a fall or car accident
Fever
Loss of bladder or bowel control
Severe weakness or numbness in both legs
Unexplained weight loss
These may be signs of a more serious condition, such as a spinal fracture.
In most cases, you’ll want to talk to your primary care doctor first to evaluate your pain and review your medical history. A spine specialist can offer a more targeted diagnosis and advanced treatment options. Your PCP may suggest non-surgical treatments before referring you to a spine specialist, such as physical therapy, chiropractic care and injections.
You should consider seeing a spine specialist if your pain:
Causes numbness, tingling or weakness in your limbs
Has lasted more than 4–6 weeks despite rest and over-the-counter treatments
Started after an injury
Radiates down your arm or leg
Patients should check with their insurance to confirm coverage before scheduling. Some insurance plans may require a referral.
Typically, you’ll need a referral and imaging completed within the last 6 months. Many insurance providers require a referral from a primary care doctor before covering specialist visits. However, some plans allow you to see a specialist without a referral.
We recommend contacting your insurance provider before scheduling to confirm your coverage and referral requirements.
Please bring the following to your first visit:
Detailed history of symptoms and treatments, including when your symptoms started and any pain triggers
List of questions for the care team
Being as specific as possible about your pain – including its location, severity and how it affects daily activities – will help your specialist make a more accurate assessment.
Seeking a second opinion before spine surgery is not only acceptable – it’s encouraged. Second opinions help confirm the diagnosis, ensure surgery is truly necessary and give you added confidence in your treatment plan. Respected spine care providers will support your decision to seek additional professional opinions, and many insurance plans cover second opinion consultations.
Recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery and the individual.
Minimally invasive procedures may allow you to return to light activities within a few weeks, while more complex surgeries such as spinal fusion may require 3–6 months for full recovery.
Your care team will provide a personalized recovery plan with clear milestones.
Most major insurance plans cover medically necessary spine treatments and surgery. Coverage for conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, chiropractic care and injections, varies by plan.
It’s important to verify your benefits, obtain any required pre-authorizations and understand your out-of-pocket costs before starting treatment.