Chronic back and neck pain from bulging or ruptured discs, degenerative disc disease (DDD), arthritis of the spine, stenosis, and more can leave patients with agonizing choices. When conservative treatments like physical therapy and medication don’t decrease pain, numbness, and tingling, surgery may be the ultimate treatment offered. However, traditional procedures such as spinal fusion don’t just involve invasive surgery, with an accompanying extended recovery time. They permanently reduce flexibility and movement in the spine. As a result, patients often live with pain much longer than they should, fearing the risks of surgery and the lifelong limitations they would be committing to.
Enduring chronic pain or undergoing major surgery aren’t the only options for patients with persistent, serious neck and back pain. Our office is proud to announce the launch of our new website to inform our Southern California community that Dr. Tiffany Rogers, a fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopedic doctor specializing in spine care, offers Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR) as an effective alternative to spinal fusion.
The discs between each of the spinal vertebrae cushion and separate them, providing flexibility and mobility in the back and neck. However, when they are damaged, they can press on adjacent nerves, causing pain, numbness, and weakness. Artificial disc replacement is exactly what it sounds like: removing a damaged disc and replacing it with an artificial implant designed to function like a healthy natural disc.
While the first artificial disc was implanted in Europe in the late 1950s, the technology is relatively new in the U.S., with considerable advances being made since the turn of the century. As the procedure has become more common, its benefits are becoming increasingly clear: Patients can expect a replacement disc to last a minimum of 10 years and potentially decades longer, making it unlikely that the procedure would ever need to be repeated. Artificial discs also preserve spine mobility, reducing the chance of deterioration in adjacent parts of the spine that can occur after spinal fusion.
Unlike more involved spinal surgeries, ADR is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows patients to return to work and physical activities at full capacity much more quickly. For those who have put off treatment because they can’t afford the downtime necessary for traditional surgery to fix their neck or back pain, ADR can be the ideal solution.
Dr. Rogers’ path to becoming an orthopedic spine surgeon began with her active lifestyle as a lifelong athlete. Suffering a back injury in her senior year of college, the process of recovery inspired her to pursue first a degree in physical therapy, then medical school and training in orthopedic surgery. She completed her internship and orthopedic residency at Los Angeles County Harbor UCLA Medical Center, followed by a spine surgery fellowship at the Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center.
Her diverse experience has given her an unusual perspective among surgeons—in fact, most people with back pain do not need surgery. Her goal is always to find the right diagnosis and the least invasive individualized treatment that will produce pain relief and improved mobility. If surgery is called for, she is focused on finding the right minimally invasive treatment for the patient’s needs. As a specialist in ADR, she has seen the dramatic difference it has made for patients who had almost given up hope for pain relief without life-altering major surgery.
When you’re experiencing chronic neck or back pain, you can find your life getting narrower and more restricted day by day. If you:
Dr. Rogers is here to give you the expert diagnosis and effective path forward that you need. You don’t need to live in agony or in fear that treatment will be worse than the problem it’s intended to fix. To schedule your appointment, contact us here today.
Mike was barely able to walk. I did his surgery and now he’s traveling the world with his wife! That pic is from Africa, hiked up to see mountain gorillas…
I feel very blessed to have walked in to the office for a consultation with Dr Rogers. On that day upon review of my MRI report she determined that I needed emergency surgery due to extremely compressed spinal cord at C3/4. Now I knew it was compressed for some time but I avoided going to the surgeon because I was afraid to have surgery. She calmly explained the alternatives to not having the surgery and it was a no brainer. My symptoms had gotten really bad and I knew she was right. I trusted her judgement and I am so happy that I had the surgery. Almost immediately my symptoms improved!! All of the nurses and other doctors at Torrance Memorial praised her work also and she was very well respected. I would recommend Dr Rogers because not only was my surgery a success but she also showed great compassion for me because I was very sad to be in the hospital during the Holidays. To me this shows she cares about healing the whole person.
I have Dr Rogers to thank for the rest of my life. At 12 I was told by a specialist that I was born with a deformity in my spine which was causing slight scoliosis. At 20, I started experiencing back pain, constantly feeling the need to crack my back for some relief, tossing and turning all hours of the night, seeking massages. As I started to get older, the pain only increased. By 23, my back began to “lock” on me. I would bend over or lean forward and my nerves would pitch, causing me to not be able to move for a few seconds. At first I had kaiser insurance, the “spinal specialist” if you can even call her that said there was no possible surgery to fix my spine and back pain. She told me PT and epidural spinal injections were the answer….. (wrong, very wrong!) I got this run around with kaiser for 2 years!!!!
By 25, I was BEYOND frustrated and in pain, so my (now) husband put me on his insurance, and I was able to find Dr Rogers. She requested an MRI and X-rays, and saw what was wrong with my spine and what needed to be done. I needed a spinal fusion and decompression. She even referred me to a spinal specialist in LA, to get a second recommendation, and he agreed with everything she wanted to do for my surgery. I had full trust in Dr Rogers. She was always kind, always informative, and reassured me I was going to be alright. As a fellow athlete, she understood what I was sacrificing for this surgery. My love for playing soccer would have to come to an end post surgery due to the risk of blowing out another level of my spine. She was compassionate and again gave me reassurance I would eventually be pain free and be able to carry my own children which was the most important to me.
I underwent my lumbar spinal surgery with a spinal fusion and decompression August 2016. The pain and recovery I experienced post surgery was the most pain I’ve ever felt. Pain meds helped, but you really have to be dedicated to taking the vitamins Dr Roger recommends, and doing the amazing PT she prescribed. The PT was Pilates based, and it seriously did my recovery wonders.
By March 2017, I was ready to move to another state and went in for one last check up with Dr Rogers. She did another X-ray, and told me that my fusion looked so good and healthy , that I could start playing soccer again. Not competitively, but recreationally, and now I am nearly 2 years post spinal surgery, playing on 2 soccer teams, active in the gym, and my husband and I are trying to start a family.
I still experience soreness in my lower spine if I lift too heavy of objects the wrong way or work out too hard, but that is to be expected. I have been off any type of medication spine related for over a year now, and it’s nothing a little ice won’t cure. All in all I have a lot to thank Dr Rogers for. She saved my back.
Thank you so much Dr Rogers!!!!
Dr Rogers has been taking care of my back issues for years. It came to a point that I did need a major surgery. A fusion. I am so glad it was done. Just wished I’d done it earlier. My leg pain is gone, the back spasms are gone , feeling like my ribs were stabbing me is also gone and though I’m still healing I feel so much better. I am so grateful to Dr Rogers !! I would highly recommend her for spine issues. Forever thankful!! The staff is professional and friendly also.
Update!!
It’s been a year and a half since my back surgery with Dr Rogers and I’m doing great!! Thank you again Dr Rogers!!
There are two major factors in my thinking a doctors office is 5 stars… #1 is the office and staff itself… #2 is the moment you meet the doctor and how they present themselves to you. Being someone that’s had multiple surgeries, dealt with dozens of doctors and facilities… if these two are in line when you go on your first visit, you know the experience and the healing to come will be worth it.
I have to say, the offices, ease of getting there, parking… were amazing… the staff at the front desk (and on the phone for that matter) were some of the most engaging, informative and easy to deal with that I’ve ever encountered. They made it EASY for me to check in, etc… I was taken in at the exact time of my appointment (I did listen and get there 15 minutes early) and was escorted through, had X-rays and waited for Dr. Rogers…
The moment I met Dr. Rogers, I had faith that I was in the right hands. Her eye contact, the way she shook my hand, the way she listened… the deep understanding she immediately had for my symptoms and the journey I’ve been on for the last 10 years after of my spine surgery in New York… made me incredibly calm and gave me such peace.
I see her again next week, after a battery of tests… but I look forward to finding answers with this healing doctor and her colleagues and staff…
xoxox
I am writing this review on behalf of Dr. Rogers patient, Yolanda Phelps.
Dr.Rogers performed an anterior cervical disectomy and cervical fusion on me last Tuesday. I am home now and my recovery is going great. Dr. Tiffany Rogers was so caring, thorough, and made me feel so comfortable during this difficult procedure. She took very good care of me and I am so thankful for her help.
Also her PA Jeff was so kind and helpful as well. Thank you so much you two for everything!!
PS don’t waste time going through pain go to dr. Tiffany Rogers. She does all the bells and whistles!!
Dr. Rogers is Exceptional. I am a patient of hers. I was in extreme pain Christmas week. Doctor Rogers ordered an MRI. Diagnosis was dislocated shoulder. I called her office 12/27/18. Doctor called back. She asked if I could be in her office immediately. I saw her within 1/2 hour. She injected me with Cortisone.What a God given gift!
Dr. Rogers is obsessed with the ability to heal. She went above and beyond to releive my pain.
Thank you Dr. Rogers.
I am a 72 year old female who suffered cervical disc herniation at multiple levels, resulting in severe pain in my neck and right arm. Dr. Rogers performed an Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion. After surgery my pain was GONE! I was in the hospital for two days and received excellent care. I have had multiple surgeries during my lifetime but this was by far the best experience and I believe a direct result of Dr. Rogers’ experience and the care she has for her patients.
I can’t express the feelings of gratitude for Dr. Rogers and her team. About 7 months ago I started having pain in my right neck, shoulder, arm all the way to my feet. The pain worsened almost daily. Had a epidural done in the 3rd month felt good for 3 days and wham the pain, weakness was back worse than before. I went back to epidural doctor and he told me there was nothing more he could do at least for 3 months. The pain was getting so bad, l cried, became very irritable and hopeless. I started physical therapy and it seem to adjutant my worst spots. I felt hopeless and knew I couldn’t take much-more. So I made an appt with Dr. Rogers. I told her the pain had increased to a point I couldn’t stand one more day in this pain. I’m not a wimp I can endure a lot but I had come to end of pain tolerance. She showed me my xrays and I believe my right she said let’s do this. I was admitted to Torrance Memorial Tuesday around 8:30 AM.hours later when I woke up n my room, there was absolutely no pain. Dr. Rogers just happen to walk in my room. I was really medicated I grabbed her and said there’s no more pain. I owe everything to her. I love her, respect her
