Our Spine Surgeons:
Chad E. Campion, M.D.
Kirk M. Thompson, M.D.
Keith D. Williams, M.D.

Nonsurgical Spine Specialists:
Douglas T. Cannon, M.D.
J. Dee Dockery, M.D.
Santos F. Martinez, M.D.
Ashley L. Park, M.D. 
Carlos E. Rivera, M.D. 

At Campbell Clinic, our various Memphis-based locations have high-quality back and spine specialists who will carefully walk you through each step of your back or spine surgery along with post-surgery care. Our physicians and surgeons perform both invasive and minimally invasive spine surgeries which involve:

• Herniated discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Bone spurs
• Spinal tumor
• Stenosis
• Neck pain and arm pain
• Back pain
• Pediatric spine problems
• Kyphoplasty 

Additionally, many patients find it helpful to have a general understanding of their neck and back before they arrive at Campbell Clinic. The below section helps provide a basic overview of spinal anatomy and terminology, which our back and spine specialists may reference during your visit. 

The spine serves three main functions: 

• Promotes flexibility
• Provides balance and allow for a long, upright structure of the body
• Protects the spinal cord and nerve roots

Also, the spinal column (cord) consists of four regions. Each region serves a different purpose and can sustain different kinds of injuries:

• The Cervical region, also known as the neck, contains 7 stacked bones called vertebrae (C1-C7), which form the cervical spine from the base of the skill down to the top of the shoulders. This region allows the skull to move up and down or side to side.
• The Thoracic region contains 12 vertebrae (T-1-T-12) and each number corresponds to certain nerves. T-1 through T-5 nerves affect the muscles, upper chest, mid-back, and abdominal muscles. T-6 through 1-12 affect both the abdominal and back muscles. The main function of this region is to hold the rib cage in place and also to protect the heart and lungs.
• The Lumbar region, also known as the lower back, consists of 5 vertebrae (L1-L5). In between each of these vertebrae are spinal discs, which are used to cushion the joints of the spine and provide support. This region is used to stabilize the weight of the body and also to absorb the stress of lifting or carrying heavy objects.
• The Sacral region, or the bottom of your spine, is the fifth and final region of the lumbar spine, which connects the L5 vertebrae with the tailbone or coccyx. This region, also known as the sacrum, is a triangular-shaped bone that is made up of 5 segments (S1-S5) that are integrated together. The main function of this region is to connect the spine to the hip bones, the tailbone, and the pelvis.

Interested in scheduling an appointment? 

At Campbell Clinic, we take pride in having some of the world’s best orthopaedic, back pain, and spine specialists, especially right here in Memphis. Get rid of your back or spinal pain by scheduling an appointment with us today!

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Fellowship Opportunities:

Campbell Clinic offers a competitive, nationally recognized foot and ankle fellowship program. To learn more about this opportunity, visit our fellowship webpage!

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