Not sure what’s causing your neck or back symptoms?
You don’t need to know the diagnosis before you come in — we’ll sort it out.
Neck and back problems can overlap. If pain, numbness/tingling, weakness, or an injury is affecting sleep, work, or daily life, a focused spine evaluation can help reduce guesswork and clarify next steps.
Get a clear working diagnosis—and a clear plan
Spine symptoms can overlap, and it’s reasonable to try simple things first. If symptoms aren’t improving—or they’re affecting sleep, work, or daily life—a focused spine evaluation helps reduce guesswork
Dr. Nelles will review your history, perform a targeted exam, and review imaging (X-rays/MRI/CT when available). Additional testing is recommended only when it adds meaningful clarity. The goal is a working diagnosis and a sensible next step—often starting with non-operative care when appropriate.
Thoughtful, individualized spine care
Body: Dr. Nelles’ approach is straightforward: listen carefully, examine thoughtfully, review imaging with you, and explain what he thinks is most likely driving your symptoms. From there, he helps you choose the simplest effective next step—starting with non-operative care when appropriate and considering surgery only when it clearly fits your situation. He also prioritizes timely access for patients and referring providers.
Meet Dr. Nelles
Dr. David Nelles is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with over a decade of experience treating cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions.
If you’re worried you’ll be rushed into a big decision—or pushed toward surgery—you’re not alone. The goal is clarity and a plan that fits your situation, often starting with the simplest effective options when appropriate.
My approach: Start where you are — leave with a clear next step
- We focus on what matters most: your story, your exam, and what’s most likely driving the symptoms.
- Targeted exam + imaging review: clear explanation of what we see and what it means.
- Working diagnosis (when possible): plain language, no jargon.
- Options ranked from simplest to more involved (often starting non-operative).
- Clear next steps: what to do now, what to track, and when to follow up.
- No rush: most spine decisions aren’t emergencies.
Conditions treated: Neck, mid-back, and low-back problems — plus nerve-related symptoms
- Neck pain: with or without arm symptoms (numbness/tingling/weakness).
- Mid-back pain: thoracic spine concerns when relevant.
- Low back pain: with or without leg symptoms (radiation/sciatica-type patterns).
- Spinal alignment/deformity issues: when appropriate.
- Compression fractures: evaluation and treatment options
Treatment options: Start with the simplest effective plan — consider surgery when it’s clearly the right step.
- Non-operative care: tailored plan when appropriate.
- Minimally invasive decompression
- Anterior cervical and lumbar fusion
- Disc replacement (selected cases)
- Lateral lumbar fusion
- Deformity correction (minimally invasive approaches when appropriate)
- Compression fracture care: kyphoplasty or non-operative management depending on patient needs
Credentials (optional): Fellowship-trained and board-certified — background details here
- Experience: 10+ years in spine care.
- Fellowship: Kaiser Permanente, Oakland, CA.
- Residency: Wright State University.
- Medical school: Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
- Leadership: Chair of Orthopedics at John Muir Concord Hospital (prior role).
- Practice background: San Francisco Spine Surgeons; Muir Orthopedic Specialists.
Always informative and professional and all went well. He’s the best!
New surgery clinic was top notch and staff was fantastic and professional. I highly recommend Dr. Mcallaster and his team.
Highly recommended hand surgeon.
Choose the category below that best matches what’s bothering you the most.
What Dr. Nelles treats
Dr. Nelles treats cervical (neck), thoracic (mid-back), and lumbar (low-back) conditions, including symptoms that radiate into the arms or legs
Neck (cervical spine)
- Neck pai
- Arm pain, numbness/tingling, or weakness
- Cervical disc and arthritis-related problem
Mid-back (thoracic spine)
- Thoracic spine pain and related conditionr
Low back (lumbar spine
- Low back pain
- Leg pain/sciatica-type symptoms
- Numbness/tingling or weakness in the leg
Other focus areas
- Spinal deformity/alignment problems (when appropriate)
- Compression fractures (evaluation and treatment options)
Take The Next Step
If neck or back symptoms are limiting your life, schedule an appointment and we’ll sort it out. You’ll leave with clarity and a plan you feel good about.