Orthopedic spine surgery · Fresno, California
Advanced spine care, close to home in the Central Valley.
Central Valley Advanced Spine is the practice of Dr. Devan Higginbotham, a fellowship-trained spine surgeon who grew up in Fresno. His work centers on endoscopic spine surgery, cervical disc replacement, navigated spine surgery and complex adult deformity correction.
Procedures
Four areas of focus
These are the operations the practice is built around. Each page explains what the surgery is, who it may help and what recovery tends to involve.
Endoscopic spine surgery
Surgery through a tube less than half an inch wide, guided by a small camera. Often used for herniated discs and pinched nerves.
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Cervical disc replacement
Replaces a damaged disc in the neck with an artificial disc designed to keep the neck moving.
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Navigated spine surgery
Uses 3D imaging taken in the operating room to guide instruments and screw placement.
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Complex adult deformity correction
Surgery to realign a curved or out-of-balance adult spine, planned from standing x-rays and your goals.
Learn moreConditions
What brings people in
Most people come to us with pain, numbness or weakness from a problem in the neck or low back. Start with the condition that sounds most like yours.
All conditions- 01Lumbar stenosisLeg pain or heaviness when you stand or walk
- 02Cervical disc herniationNeck pain that travels into the arm or hand
- 03Spinal deformityA curve or forward lean that makes standing tiring
- 04Degenerative disc diseaseWorn discs behind long-lasting neck or back pain
- 05SciaticaPain that runs from the low back down the leg
Your surgeon
Devan Higginbotham, MD
Dr. Higginbotham grew up in Fresno. He trained in orthopaedic surgery at Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University, then completed a spine surgery fellowship at the University of California, Davis. He came home to practice.
He uses both surgical and nonsurgical care. At your visit he looks at your exam and imaging, explains what he sees and tells you plainly whether surgery makes sense for you now.
Endoscopic surgery “allows us to treat conditions like herniated discs through tiny incisions.”
- Spine surgery fellowshipUniversity of California, Davis
- Orthopaedic surgery residencyDetroit Medical Center / Wayne State
- Doctor of MedicineChicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University
- Research22 PubMed-indexed papers
What to expect
A clear path from first visit to recovery
Surgery is not always the answer. Many neck and back problems improve with time, therapy, medicine or injections, and those come first when they make sense.
Consultation
We review your symptoms, your exam and any MRI or x-rays you already have.
Nonsurgical care first
When therapy, medicine or injections are a good fit, we start there.
A surgical plan, if needed
If surgery is the better option, you get a plan built around your spine and your goals.
Recovery and follow-up
We stay with you through recovery with scheduled check-ins and imaging.
Serving the Central Valley
Patients come to us from across the Valley
Our office is in Fresno. Patients travel in from Clovis, Visalia, Madera, Hanford, Merced and nearby towns. See what each procedure looks like for your area.
View locationsResource library
Plain answers to spine questions
Short guides on symptoms, imaging, recovery and when to see a spine surgeon, written for patients and families.
Browse resourcesFor referring providers
We welcome referrals
We see patients with neck and back conditions, including cervical disc problems, lumbar stenosis and adult spinal deformity. Call (559) 758-7119 and our team will coordinate records and scheduling.
Start with a conversation
Questions about your neck or back?
Call the office or send a short request and our team will call you back. Please keep medical details for the phone call.