Serving the COLUMBIA, MO community, JUSTIN DRAGER is a MD specializing in Lumbar Fusion, Cervical Disc Replacement, Laminectomy. JUSTIN evaluates and treats patients with spine conditions, arthritis, and conditions requiring surgical or non-surgical management.
Orthopedic Surgeons undergo rigorous training including 4 years of medical school followed by a 5-year orthopedic surgery residency. Many pursue additional fellowship training in sports medicine or joint replacement. They are experts in spine surgery, joint reconstruction, and treating complex musculoskeletal conditions.
To discuss your spine condition with JUSTIN, call (573) 882-6562. JUSTIN DRAGER accepts new patients for evaluations and second opinions.
Lumbar spinal fusion permanently joins two or more vertebrae in the lower back to eliminate painful motion at a damaged segment. The surgeon uses bone graft, screws, and rods to stabilize the spine while the vertebrae fuse into solid bone over 3-6 months. It treats degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, and fractures.
Cervical disc replacement removes a damaged disc in the neck and replaces it with an artificial disc that preserves motion at that spinal level. Unlike cervical fusion, disc replacement maintains natural neck movement and may reduce stress on adjacent discs. FDA-approved since 2007 with excellent long-term results.
Laminectomy (decompression surgery) removes part of the vertebral bone (lamina) to create more space for the spinal cord and nerves. It relieves pressure caused by spinal stenosis — a narrowing of the spinal canal common in patients over 60. The procedure can be performed alone or combined with fusion for stability.
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Costs vary by provider, insurance, and case complexity. Contact JUSTIN DRAGER at (573) 882-6562 for a consultation.
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