Dr. Jeremy Smith, M.D.,
is one of the leading spinal surgeons in Irvine, CA
Patients and doctors trust Dr. Smith because he puts compassion and quality care first. Dr. Smith wants all of his patients to feel supported, every step of the way.
Dr. Smith approaches each patient with a listening ear. He and his staff take a compassionate approach to care and want each patient to understand their condition, and the best treatment options available to them. At Dr. Jeremy Smith, M.D., our staff is warm, dedicated, diligent and supportive – we even offer our patients resources on understanding expectations from consultation through recovery.
Dr. Smith gives back to the medical community on a regular basis – an educator, a contributor to numerous medical studies and journals, and through countless hours of continual research. Dr. Jeremy Smith, M.D., is a Fellowship-Trained Orthopaedic Spinal Surgeon and the Chief of Staff at the Hoag Orthopaedic Institute. He has treated many patients over the years, including a number who were referred to him from previously failed surgeries.
Dr. Smith leads with empathy first, understanding that every patient’s condition tells a different story. He is most interested in the best possible outcome for each individual patient. This process first begins with an accurate assessment, something that can only be trusted with a spinal surgeon who has the decades of training and experience that Dr. Smith has.
Dr. Smith also advocates for all non-surgical options to be exhausted before approaching the surgical ones. It is in part due to this that Dr. Smith has become a trusted and renowned back pain specialist. Some non-surgical treatments include pain injections, physical therapy treatments, rest, and medications.
Every new day brings technological advancements in the field of spinal surgery and Dr. Smith and his staff bring these advancements to the practice. Many of the traditional forms of spinal surgery, such as spinal fusion, are now outdated. They have been surpassed by better, more effective treatments, like artificial disc replacements. Many of these newer procedures offer patients more effective pain relief, greater flexibility, and better longevity in their results.
Our goal at Jeremy Smith, M.D. is to allow every patient to feel taken care of and that means feeling well-informed. We are here to listen and to answer questions so that you feel the support you need at every stage on the path to your pain-free future.
When it comes to cutting-edge spinal procedures, you have to trust an expert. Medical advances in spinal surgery have allowed for patients to regain their strength, and return to normalcy in ways that have not been possible in the past.
LESS PAIN
By applying new techniques and advancements to our procedures, we can offer patients longer-lasting back and neck pain relief. Moreover, advances in spinal surgery have allowed patients to experience less pain overall, with treatments that have a longer-lasting effect than those that were available previously. These new treatments allow patients to recover more quickly – many of our treatments are outpatient procedures. Less bleeding and less time in surgery help patients to recover quicker.
MOTION PRESERVATION
Dr. Smith sees motion preservation as one of the most important pillars of his practice – many traditional procedures limited motion after surgery. Dr. Smith advocates for his patients to pursue treatments for their condition that lead to the best motion preservation option available. By offering lumbar and cervical total disc replacements, Dr. Smith is able to support the integrity of the entire spine, whereas fusion surgeries of the past would have compromised the body’s natural ability to flex one vertebrae at a time.
SAFER PROCEDURES
Most of the out-patient surgical options that Dr. Smith performs, involve a smaller incision than other operations. This is beneficial to a patient as it is safer (there is less blood loss) and less invasive (targeting a small and precise area means disrupting less tissue within the body). Dr. Smith offers surgical treatments that are out-patient procedures which have shorter surgery times through minimally invasive techniques.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Dr. Smith approaches each patient’s condition through the lens of considering quality of life with each option. Living a pain-free life is possible and Dr. Smith believes in that hope and in finding the right answer for you.
There are many spinal conditions that affect one’s quality of life – some can be debilitating. Usually, these conditions occur when an unhealthy disc is present, which often requires a total disc replacement. Our spinal health is important – our spinal cords support our entire skeletal system – at Dr. Jeremy Smith, M.D., we believe that living a pain-free life is possible.
DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE
Degenerative disc disease occurs from normal “wear and tear” of the cushioning discs in the cervical spine. This could result from daily activities, sports injuries or even a simple “drying out of the disc”.
SPINAL STENOSIS
Spinal stenosis is a condition that occurs when the spinal canal begins to narrow. This occurs from normal “wear and tear” but feels like an unbearable pinching of the nerve.
SCOLIOSIS
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. This condition can occur at any age but there are surgical options available to correct this condition. Congenital spinal deformities are disorders of the spine that tend to occur before birth. Sometimes a brace may be used to correct this condition.
Although scoliosis may affect vital functions in the body, other patients, particularly young children who have a severe curve may be helped with a brace or surgery to realign the spine into a more natural curvature with the aid of metal rods and screws.
SCIATICA
Sciatica occurs from a compression of the sciatic nerve. This condition causes pain in the back, hip and leg.
HERNIATED DISC
A herniated disc is a very common condition that can be treated wth minimally invasive surgery options. When the spongy discs between vertebrae slips or gets pushed into the spinal canal it can cause this condition.
PINCHED NERVE
A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is put on a spinal nerve and the surrounding tissue, which causes inflammation. This occurs when muscles, tissues, bones or cartilage press on the nerve.
A spine specialist, whether an orthopedic spine surgeon or a neurosurgeon, is specifically trained to diagnose and treat disorders of the spine and its surrounding structures. They have a deep understanding of spinal anatomy, spinal conditions, and the most appropriate treatment options for each case. On the other hand, other types of surgeons, such as general orthopedic surgeons or neurosurgeons, may also perform spine surgeries but may have a broader focus that includes other musculoskeletal or neurological areas. It’s essential for patients to seek the expertise of a spine specialist when dealing with complex spinal issues to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Dr. Smith utilizes several cutting edge techniques while performing minimally invasive surgeries. Some of these techniques are performed with the assistance of robotics, in the case of treating degenerative spine disease, for example. Dr. Smith is a back and neck pain specialist, offering patients both surgical and non-surgical options for treating long-term pain. He performs numerous types of procedures for a wide array of conditions. As an expert in his field, he treats both adults and children needing pediatric spine care.
Artificial discs can help restore support and alignment in the spine while allowing patients to retain their range of motion. By offering patients the option of a total disc replacement, Dr. Smith is able to retain motion within the spine while also performing a minimally invasive surgery for this patient.
Artificial Disc Replacement can be performed at the lumbar and cervical levels of the spine. In the cervical spine, artificial discs allow flexibility of the spine to be maintained, which is very important in the neck. In lumbar disc replacement, artificial disc alleviate stress in this region, by allowing artificial discs to support the neighboring discs by remaining independent from them.
Dr. Jeremy Smith, M.D., performs reconstructive and revision spine surgeries in order to correct previous failed surgeries, deformities, and to realign the spine. These procedure may be necessary if scar tissue has formed around a previous surgery site.
ARTIFICIAL DISC REPLACEMENT
One of the key advantages of artificial disc replacement is the protection it provides to surrounding discs. Unlike traditional spinal fusion, which joins adjacent vertebrae, ADR preserves the motion in the spine by replacing the damaged disc with an artificial one. This motion preservation helps reduce the stress on neighboring discs, mitigating the risk of adjacent segment disease, a potential complication associated with spinal fusion. Additionally, ADR boasts a relatively short recovery time compared to fusion surgery, allowing patients to return to their normal activities more swiftly. This innovative approach to treating disc-related issues not only brings relief to patients but also contributes to the long-term health and flexibility of the spine.
LAMINOPLASTY
Laminoplasty is a specialized surgical procedure designed to alleviate pressure on the spine and provide relief from various symptoms associated with spinal compression. One of its primary benefits is the effective alleviation of pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. As a result, symptoms like pain, numbness, and tingling, often caused by spinal cord or nerve compression, are significantly relieved. Laminoplasty can be a valuable option for patients suffering from conditions such as spinal stenosis or cervical myelopathy, offering them a chance to regain their quality of life and mobility.
MICRODISCECTOMY
By carefully removing the portion of a herniated or bulging disc that is compressing the spinal nerve, microdiscectomy alleviates the pressure on the nerve root, providing significant pain relief. Additionally, the procedure can relieve tingling and numbness in the legs that may result from nerve compression. The minimally invasive nature of microdiscectomy allows for smaller incisions and reduced disruption to surrounding tissues, leading to a quicker recovery time. As a result, patients can return to their normal levels of activity and enjoy an improved quality of life without the burden of persistent leg pain and discomfort.
LAMINECTOMY
Laminectomy, also known as decompression surgery, offers several valuable benefits for individuals dealing with specific spinal conditions. By removing a portion of the lamina, the bony arch of the vertebra, laminectomy reduces pressure on the affected disc, providing substantial pain relief. Moreover, the procedure eases pressure on the spinal nerves, which may be compressed due to various spinal issues, such as spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis. This decompression allows for improved nerve function and reduced symptoms like pain, numbness, and weakness in the affected areas.
After graduating medical school as chief resident, Dr. Smith went on to become a fellowship-trained orthopaedic spinal surgeon in a highly competitive field. His expertise is sought after by colleagues and patients alike, and he continues to give back to the community through his many lectures, publications and research studies. Dr. Smith’s research has even led to some important scientific advancements in finding spinal condition solutions.
Dr. Smith is committed to his patients, his community, and his practice. He is a leader in the industry by utilizing highly specialized techniques and new technology, in order to accomplish the achievement of the best results for each of his patients.
