Alexander Ghanayem, MD Associate Professor Chief, Division of Spine Surgery (708) 216-3475 | aghanay@lumc.edu Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Anthony Rinella, MD Assistant Professor Adult and Pediatric Spine Surgery (708) 216-2612 | arinella@lumc.edu Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Alexander J. Ghanayem, MD directs the Division of Spine Surgery in both clinical and research activities. Clinical activities include caring for patients with degenerative, traumatic, neoplastic, and infectious conditions of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.

Our Spine Service faculty members includes Anthony Rinella, MD and part-time Julie Wehner, MD. Resident education is provided by an exposure to a variety of spinal disorders and by understanding the presentation, physical exam, neurologic and natural history associated with each condition. Proper surgical and non-surgical indications are stressed during weekly reviews of all surgical cases, outpatient clinical teaching, and case presentations.

Basic spine research is ongoing in both biomechanics and physiology, and while opportunities also exist to participate in clinically based research projects. The spine division offers an elective rotation for medical students interested in this specialty.

Patient Information

Spine

• Back Pain Exercises
• Fracture of the Thoracic and Lumbar Spine
• Herniated Disk
• How To Prevent Back Pain
• Low Back Pain
• Low Back Pain Exercise Guide
• Low Back Surgery
• Sciatica
• Spinal Fusion
• Spinal Stenosis
• Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
• The Spine

Wellness

• Keep Active - Safe at any Age
• Keep Moving for Life