Orthopaedic Spinal Surgery

The UC Davis Spine Center takes pride in delivering state-of-the-art spinal surgery using the latest advancements in technology and surgical science. Our outstanding team of faculty physicians, scientists, and nurse specialists at UC Davis Health System provides integrated services that distinguish our program and contribute to advancements in spine care through pioneering new treatments, technologies, and science.

As a group of surgeons who practice at tertiary care referral hospitals, our surgeons treat a variety of conditions, including spinal trauma, spinal tumors, and spinal infections.  As a group, our physicians specialize in the treatment of Spinal Deformity from congenital, acquired, idiopathic, and adult-onset varieties. We use the latest technologies to ensure patient safety and outcomes, including surgical simulation, intra-operative neurological monitoring, and verification of safety using Intra-Operative CT scanning when necessary. 

At UC Davis, minimally invasive surgeries are performed in state-of-the-art suites which incorporates sophisticated imaging technologies. Our surgical team are on hand with the most advanced technology to offer appropriate surgical interventions. 

Sharing expertise with one of the nation's best — and inland Northern California's only — level I trauma center, the spine center is uniquely equipped to handle a broad range of spinal cases.

• Spinal deformities: Adult or de novo scoliosis, iatrogenic deformities
• Spinal cord injury and spinal trauma
• Cervical Radiculopathy and Myelopathy causing arm pain and or spinal cord dysfunction ( myelopathy)
• Spinal Disorders, Congenital, Juvenile and Adolescent Scoliosis and Kyphosis
• Herniated lumbar discs , stress fractures and spondylolisthesis in young athletes

We lead the way in the introduction of motion preserving alternatives for both adults and children. As an example, our surgeons have many years of experience with cervical disc replacements for patients with cervical radiculopathy and have experience with the most effective operations for cervical myelopathy including cervical laminoplasty (motion preserving) and posterior cervical fusion with laminectomy. As surgeons who treat children and adults, we have a unique perspective when treating children and we are able to foresee the challenges that might occur in early and late adulthood.

The team members of the Spine Service include three fellowship trained, board certified orthopaedic surgeons, two board eligible orthopaedic fellows, UC Davis orthopaedic surgery residents, nurses and clinical support staff. The program is dedicated to the education of UC Davis fellows, orthopaedic residents, medical students and staff members through organized teaching and research.

Safdar N. Khan, M.D, FAOA, FAAOS was recruited from The Ohio State University Medical Center where he was Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Chief of Orthopaedic Spine Surgery. He also held the Benjamin R and Helen Slack Wiltberger Endowed Chair in Spine Surgery and Director of Spine Research. He has published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers, edited several textbooks and is the author of more than 20 book chapters. He is active in national and international societies and frequently travels the country to give lectures on augmented reality and biologic therapies in spine surgery. He has a special interest in the use of augmented reality in spine surgery and his practice covers the entire gamut of degenerative spine, deformity and MIS.

Yashar Javidan, M.D., is a highly experienced spinal surgeon who has developed expertise in various advanced procedures such as MIS lumbar spinal fusion, MIS treatment of spinal fractures, and MIS resection of tumors and spinal infection. He is a renowned leader in the field of minimally invasive spine surgery and mentors other surgeons in this rapidly evolving technical area.

Hai V. Le, M.D., M.P.H., completed his orthopaedic residency training at the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program (HCORP) and pediatric and adult spine surgery fellowship at UC Davis. His clinical interests include managing pediatric and adult patients with simple to complex spinal pathologies.

Rolando F. Roberto, M.D., is an adult and pediatric spine surgeon with a particular interest in pediatric deformity and correction. His research has included studies on cervical motion preservation and distal radius fixation. He has presented and published extensively in the areas of spinal deformity, spinal trauma, cervical disorders and recently on the prevention of spinal infections in elective spinal surgery. The recipient of many research grants, he has participated in numerous medical research studies. He holds a joint appointment with UC Davis Davis Medical Center, UC Davis Children's Hospital and Shriners Hospitals for Children — Northern California.