Unsure whether you need surgery?
Start with a careful review.
Spine surgery addresses selected disc, nerve or stability problems. Review your diagnosis, symptoms and prior care to understand whether an operation is appropriate.
Request a Spine Evaluation (Form)Telehealth or in person. Your request does not confirm an appointment.
A careful review before a surgical decision.
Your evaluation connects your history, examination and imaging before discussing treatment. Nonsurgical options are considered when appropriate, with a surgical plan based on your specific condition, goals, benefits and risks.
Bring your imaging
Bring available spine imaging, reports, treatment history and prior operative records.
Discuss the alternatives
Review previous care, nonsurgical options, expected benefits, limitations and risks.
Choose the appropriate next step
Surgery is discussed when symptoms, examination and imaging support it. No outcome is guaranteed.
Experience & careful judgment
Meet Dr. Cornacchia.
Louis G. Cornacchia III, M.D., FAANS, FACS
A board-certified neurosurgeon with 30 years of spinal cord stimulation experience.
More about Dr. Cornacchia’s experience and SCS device decisions
Spinal cord stimulation experience
Experienced neurosurgical judgment before device decisions.
A spinal cord stimulator is a medical device decision, but it is also a diagnosis decision. Apteum’s evaluation is designed to clarify whether SCS is reasonable, whether another spine problem needs attention, and what goals should define success for you.
He works with a community of experienced pain-management doctors and with Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and other manufacturers.
Manufacturer relationships do not imply endorsement of a specific device for every patient. Brand and system selection should be based on clinical need, anatomy, MRI considerations, programming goals, prior device history, and shared decision-making.
Additional systems as clinically appropriateYour evaluation focuses on listening, reviewing your imaging and explaining your diagnosis, alternatives and next steps clearly. Surgery is considered when it is appropriate for your case.
Your evaluation focuses on your diagnosis, prior care and goals. Discuss the expected benefits, limitations, risks and alternatives before choosing your next step. An evaluation is not a commitment to surgery or an implant.
Read Dr. Cornacchia’s training and experience →How spinal cord stimulation works
Watch this explanation created by Dr. Cornacchia. Spinal cord stimulation is one option for selected patients after evaluation; it is not appropriate for every cause of pain and does not replace the discussion of the treatment on this page.
Spine Surgery
Spine Surgery
Comprehensive surgical solutions for complex spinal conditions.
Overview
Our spine surgery program combines decades of surgical expertise with the latest advancements in spinal technology. We treat a wide range of conditions, including herniated discs, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and degenerative disc disease. Each surgical plan is individualized around the diagnosis, goals, expected benefits and risks.
What We Offer
Key Benefits
All Services
Need Help?
Contact us to discuss your condition and explore the best treatment options.
Comprehensive Spine Surgery in NJ & NYC
At Apteum Spine, spine surgery is approached with one principle: operate only when it is truly necessary, and when it is, do it with precision. Most patients are rushed into decisions or given unclear answers. We take the time to determine the correct diagnosis and the right treatment — surgical or not.
Conditions We Treat Surgically
• Herniated discs and recurrent disc herniation
• Spinal stenosis and nerve compression
• Spondylolisthesis and spinal instability
• Degenerative disc disease
• Failed prior surgery and complex revision cases
• Traumatic and work-related spine injuries
Our Approach
Whenever appropriate, conservative options are considered first. When surgery is the right choice, the focus is on precision, safety, minimizing tissue disruption, and improving long-term function and quality of life — using minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques where they offer an advantage.
Types of Procedures
Microdiscectomy, decompression (laminectomy/laminotomy), spinal fusion and instrumentation, disc replacement, and minimally invasive and robotic-assisted approaches, selected based on your specific condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I definitely need surgery?
Not necessarily. Many spine conditions improve without surgery; we recommend it only when the benefit is clear.
How do I start?
Begin with an evaluation or second opinion. Call (609) 831-0998 or request an appointment online.
Medically reviewed by Louis G. Cornacchia III, M.D., FAANS, FACS — board-certified neurosurgeon. Last updated: June 2026. This page is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. For urgent symptoms, call (609) 831-0998 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Understand whether spine surgery fits your situation.
Request an evaluation to review your symptoms, imaging, goals and prior treatment history.
The team will contact you to discuss your request. No outcome is guaranteed.