Welcome to the practice of Dr. Robert Ames, MD
Minimally Invasive Spine & Scoliosis Surgery
“Where expertise and compassion meet a less invasive approach to spinal care.”
About
Dr. Robert Ames is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon with expertise in artificial disc replacement, robotic spine surgery, ultra minimally invasive endoscopic spinal surgery, complex spinal reconstructions and revisions. He graduated magna cum laude from Rutgers University, received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Temple University/Lewis Katz School of Medicine, and completed his fellowship training in complex spinal surgery at the San Diego Spine Foundation. He has authored five spinal surgery book chapters and numerous peer reviewed publications.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Ames is a caring and thoughtful physician who believes in building a strong foundation of mutual trust and respect with his patients and is committed to providing an in-depth explanation of his patients’ diagnoses and a thorough discussion of treatment options. He is available to see patients at Virtua Reconstructive Orthopaedics in Cherry Hill, Sewell, Pitman, and Vineland New Jersey.
Philosophy
At our practice, we take a holistic approach to spinal care. We understand that not all spinal conditions require surgery, and that's why we prioritize conservative treatments such as physical therapy, yoga, chiropractic care and alternative therapies as the first line of defense. We have partnered with expert physical therapists who work with you to develop a personalized rehabilitation plan to alleviate pain, improve flexibility and strengthen overall wellness.
We believe in exhausting all conservative treatment options before recommending surgery, and our goal is to improve your mobility and overall health in the most non-invasive way possible. We are committed to listening to our patients, building trust and providing personalized care to ensure the best possible outcome. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to helping you achieve optimal spinal health.
“Committed to providing the highest level of care and improving the lives of those suffering from spinal conditions, Dr. Ames is dedicated to helping his patients achieve the best possible outcomes.”
Conditions
-
A herniated disc can cause severe back or neck pain, as well as numbness or weakness in the arms or legs. Treatment options for herniated discs include non-operative measures such as physical therapy, medication, epidural injections, and nerve blocks, which can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
If non-operative measures are not effective, surgical options such as tubular microdiscectomy, a minimally invasive procedure which involves removing a small portion of the herniated disc that is pressing on a nerve, may be recommended.
-
Spinal stenosis can cause pain, weakness, and numbness in the legs, and can make it difficult to stand or walk. Treatment options for spinal stenosis include non-operative measures such as physical therapy, medication, and epidural injections, which can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
If non-operative measures are not effective, surgical options such as laminotomy/laminectomy, a minimally invasive procedure which involves removing a small portion of the bone in the back of the spine to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, may be recommended.
-
Radiculopathy is a condition caused by compression of a nerve root in the cervical or lumbar spine, which can cause pain, numbness, and weakness. Treatment options for radiculopathy include non-operative measures such as physical therapy, medication, and epidural injections, which can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
If non-operative measures are not effective, surgical options such as minimally invasive laminotomy or foraminotomy, laminectomy or discectomy may be recommended to relieve pressure on the nerve root. In some cases, cervical or lumbar artificial disc replacement may be considered.
-
Degenerative disc disease is a condition in which the discs in the spine deteriorate, leading to back or neck pain and stiffness. Treatment options for degenerative disc disease include non-operative measures such as physical therapy, medication, and epidural injections, which can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
If non-operative measures are not effective, surgical options such as disc replacement or spinal fusion may be recommended to relieve pain and improve mobility.
-
Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a condition caused by the gradual wear and tear of the cervical spine, leading to compression of the spinal cord. Symptoms include neck pain, weakness in the arms and legs, difficulty with fine motor skills and difficulty walking, loss of balance, and bowel and bladder dysfunction.
Treatment options include non-operative measures such as physical therapy and medication, and surgical options such as cervical decompression and fusion to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and preserve the function of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
-
Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one vertebra slips out of place, causing pain and weakness. Treatment options for spondylolisthesis include non-operative measures such as physical therapy, medication, and epidural injections, which can help to reduce pain and inflammation.
If non-operative measures are not effective, surgical options such as spinal fusion may be recommended to stabilize the spine and relieve pain.
-
Adult spinal deformity is a condition that affects the alignment of the spine in adults, which can cause pain, difficulty standing or walking, and difficulty breathing. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, and/or osteoporosis.
Symptoms vary depending on the specific condition and the severity of the deformity, and treatment options range from non-operative measures such as physical therapy and bracing, to surgery.
Adult spinal deformity can be complex and it's important to have a thorough evaluation by a specialist in order to have the best treatment plan.
-
Scoliosis is a curvature of the spine that can cause back pain, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. Depending on the specific diagnosis, treatment options for scoliosis include non-operative measures such as bracing, which can help to slow the progression of the curve and reduce symptoms.
In severe cases, surgical options such as spinal fusion may be recommended to correct the curvature.
-
Spinal fractures can occur due to trauma or osteoporosis, and can cause severe pain, numbness, and weakness. Treatment options for spinal fractures include non-operative measures such as bracing, physical therapy, and pain management, which can help to stabilize the spine and reduce pain.
In severe cases, surgical options such as spinal fixation or fusion may be recommended to stabilize the spine and preserve the function of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
-
Spinal tumors can cause pain, weakness, and numbness, and can threaten the spinal cord and nerve roots. Treatment options for spinal tumors include non-operative measures such as radiation therapy, which can help to shrink or slow the growth of the tumor.
If non-operative measures are not effective alone, surgical options such as tumor resection may be recommended to remove the tumor and preserve the function of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
