Neurosurgeon
Neurosurgeon
Treatment / Spine Surgery
SPINE SURGERY | LAS VEGAS
Dr. Andrew Lee, MD. Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon. Motion preservation specialist. Nevada Spine Clinic, Las Vegas and Southern Nevada.
Dr. Andrew Lee evaluates every spine patient at Nevada Spine Clinic in Las Vegas for motion-preserving candidacy before recommending fusion. His approach to every cervical and lumbar case begins with one question: is there a motion-preserving option? Artificial disc replacement is not always appropriate, but when anatomy and clinical picture support it, Dr. Lee believes it is the superior choice. In May 2026 he became the first surgeon in Nevada to perform surgery using the FDA-approved Synergy Disc system.
A damaged cervical disc is replaced with an artificial disc that moves like the natural disc, preserving full range of motion in the neck. Dr. Andrew Lee performs this as the preferred alternative to fusion for appropriate candidates in Las
Patients with cervical disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, or nerve compression causing arm pain, numbness, or weakness.
Most patients return to light activity within 2 to 4 weeks. Full recovery typically 6 to 10 weeks.
The damaged disc is removed and adjacent vertebrae are fused using a bone graft and hardware. Dr. Lee performs this when disc replacement is not appropriate, using minimally invasive technique to minimize recovery.
Patients where disc anatomy, bone quality, or clinical factors make artificial disc replacement unsuitable.
Return to light activity 4 to 6 weeks.
Full recovery 3 to 4 months.
Performed through an incision at the back of the neck to decompress spinal nerves and fuse the affected vertebrae. Dr. Lee uses this approach when pathology is best accessed from the posterior spine.
Patients with posterior cervical stenosis, multilevel disease, or specific anatomical indications.
Recovery varies by complexity.
Typically 6 to 12 weeks for light activity.
A minimally invasive approach where Dr. Lee accesses the lumbar spine through the patient's side, avoiding major back muscles. A spacer and bone graft stabilize the affected level with significantly less tissue disruption.
Patients with lumbar degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or spinal instability at one or more levels.
Minimally invasive approach allows faster recovery.
Light activity 4 to 6 weeks.
A lumbar disc is replaced with a motion-preserving artificial disc through an anterior approach. Dr. Andrew Lee offers this procedure in Las Vegas as an alternative to lumbar fusion for carefully selected patients.
Patients with single or two-level lumbar degenerative disc disease without significant instability
Return to light activity 4 to 8 weeks.
Full recovery 3 to 6 months.
Dr. Lee accesses the lumbar spine from the front to place a large interbody graft, achieving excellent fusion rates with less disruption to back muscles than posterior approaches.
Patients requiring lumbar fusion where anterior access provides the best exposure and outcomes.
Light activity 6 to 8 weeks.
Full recovery 4 to 6 months.
A combined approach where Dr. Lee performs both anterior and posterior fixation for complex lumbar instability or deformity. Achieves maximum stability for cases requiring comprehensive fixation.
Patients with significant spinal instability, deformity, or failed prior surgery requiring comprehensive fixation.
More complex recovery.
Light activity 8 to 12 weeks.
The most common lumbar fusion technique. Dr. Lee places pedicle screws and rods to stabilize the spine from the back, with bone graft to achieve solid fusion over time.
Patients with lumbar instability, spondylolisthesis, stenosis with instability, or prior failed fusion.
Light activity 6 to 8 weeks.
Full recovery 4 to 6 months.
Dr. Andrew Lee, MD | Nevada Spine Clinic, Las Vegas
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