Based in SANTA CRUZ, CA, THOMAS WELLE is a D.O., an Orthopedic Surgeon who treats patients with spine conditions requiring Lumbar Fusion, Cervical Disc Replacement, Laminectomy. Patients in the SANTA CRUZ area can contact THOMAS for evaluations and treatment options.
An Orthopedic Surgeon completes a 5-year surgical residency after medical school, specializing in the musculoskeletal system — bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. They diagnose and treat spine conditions and conditions through both surgical and non-surgical methods, including total knee replacement, ACL reconstruction, and arthroscopic procedures.
Contact THOMAS WELLE at (831) 477-2325 to schedule a consultation about lumbar fusion or other spine procedures.
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 THOMAS WELLE at (831) 477-2325 for a consultation.
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