Duke Spine

Minimally invasive, awake spine surgery can be a gamer changer for some patients!

This 74-year-old patient had severe leg pain from spinal stenosis that made walking difficult. She had tried physical therapy and injections without relief. Then, neurosurgeon Muhammad Abd-El-Barr performed minimally invasive spine surgery using regional anesthesia.

There were no complications, and a year later, she's pain-free and enjoying the activities she loves -- including boxing!

The Spine Divison is growing in faculty numbers and expertise. "The goal is to have any patient with any condition in the U.S. referable to Duke to have outstanding, cutting-edge treatment,” said Duke Spine Chief Chris Shaffrey, MD.

Duke Expands Cutting-Edge Spine Services Duke Spine is growing with the world’s second spinal navigation unit and seven recent hires.

As we count down to International Women’s Day (March 8), we celebrate the incredible women residents of Duke Neurosurgery who are and shaping the future of medicine. 🧠 💪

Stay tuned as we honor the women who make a difference every day.

Neurosurgery resident Stephen Bergin said about his experience consulting for Grey's Anatomy:

"We would receive scripts from the ... writers with lines in them that would literally say 'medical, medical, medical'. It was my job to fill in these lines with applicable medical jargon.

"I would also be consulted on what type of injury could bring two characters working in different medical departments together. For example, if they needed a reason for a neurosurgeon and a cardiothoracic specialist to be in a room together, I would come up with the injury that meant they were both needed."

Doctor inspired by Grey's Anatomy becomes show's medical consultant Stephen Bergin, 35, a sixth year resident neurosurgeon's dreams have come true after he was asked to become a medical consultant on the hit TV drama show Grey's Anatomy