St. Louis, Missouri Accepting New Patients contact@pomplianospine.com
Michael Pompliano, M.D.

Spine care built around the life you want back.

Fellowship-trained spine surgeon. Conservative when possible. Precise when it counts.

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No referral required · Second opinions welcome
Dr. Michael Pompliano, fellowship-trained spine surgeon in St. Louis, Missouri
A Different Standard of Spine Care

Spine surgery requires precision and restraint.

Dr. Michael Pompliano is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon specializing in disorders of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine — from everyday neck and back pain, herniated discs, and sciatica to complex reconstruction — using the latest technology and minimally invasive, motion-sparing techniques, including artificial disc replacement. The goal of every treatment plan: a quicker recovery and an earlier return to work and the activity level you had before.

Most patients he evaluates are treated without an operation. Surgery is recommended only when it clearly improves stability, function, or quality of life.

If you're living with neck or back pain, you don't need to know whether you need surgery — that's his job to figure out. He frequently sees patients who have already been told they need an operation, confirming the right path forward or identifying effective non-operative alternatives.

Careful diagnosis precedes intervention. Judgment guides technique.
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Conditions We Commonly Treat

Expert evaluation of the cervical, thoracic & lumbar spine

Lumbar

Back Pain

Mechanical or structural conditions affecting the lumbar spine.
You may feelPersistent aching · Pain with movement · Difficulty standing or sitting
Cervical

Neck Pain

Strain, degeneration, or nerve irritation affecting the cervical spine.
You may feelStiffness · Radiating arm pain · Numbness in the hands
Nerve

Sciatica

Nerve irritation causing pain radiating from the lower back into the leg.
You may feelSharp leg pain · Numbness · Tingling · Foot weakness
Disc

Herniated Disc

Displaced disc material compressing or irritating nearby nerves.
You may feelRadiating pain · Numbness in arms or legs · Weakness with grip or walking
Degenerative

Spinal Stenosis

Narrowing of the spinal canal placing pressure on the nerves.
You may feelLeg heaviness with walking · Numbness · Reduced walking tolerance
Degenerative

Degenerative Disc Disease

Age-related disc changes that may contribute to chronic pain.
You may feelChronic stiffness · Flare-ups with activity · Reduced flexibility
Structural

Spondylolisthesis

One vertebra shifting forward relative to the one below it.
You may feelLower back pain · Leg numbness · Difficulty standing for long periods
Cervical Nerve

Cervical Radiculopathy

A compressed nerve in the neck — often called a pinched nerve.
You may feelShoulder or arm pain · Tingling in the hand · Grip weakness
Spinal Cord

Cervical Myelopathy

Compression of the spinal cord in the neck affecting motor function.
You may feelBalance difficulty · Hand clumsiness · Coordination changes
Lumbar Nerve

Lumbar Radiculopathy

A compressed nerve in the lower back causing leg symptoms.
You may feelShooting leg pain · Foot numbness · Ankle weakness
Deformity

Scoliosis & Spinal Deformity

Abnormal curvature or imbalance of the spine, in adolescents and adults.
You may feelVisible curvature · Uneven posture · Fatigue or pain with standing
Trauma

Spinal Trauma & Fractures

Injuries to the spine from falls, accidents, or osteoporosis-related fractures.
You may feelSudden severe pain after injury · Pain with any movement · Numbness or weakness
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About Dr. Pompliano

Advanced spine care in St. Louis.

Dr. Pompliano is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon focused exclusively on disorders of the spine. He completed his spine surgery fellowship at the San Diego Spine Foundation at Scripps Memorial Hospital in San Diego, California — one of the nation's leading spine centers — and his orthopedic surgery residency at Seton Hall University / St. Joseph's University Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey, where he served as chief resident. His clinical expertise spans minimally invasive techniques, motion-sparing artificial disc replacement, and complex reconstructive and revision procedures.

He is also an active, award-winning researcher — author of numerous peer-reviewed publications and research presented at national and international meetings, including the North American Spine Society Annual Meeting and the Global Spine Congress, and recipient of the Thornburg Award for Excellence in Research in a Surgical Field.

A graduate of Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Dr. Pompliano returns home to Missouri with his wife — a St. Louis native — and their four young children. Whether your neck or back pain calls for therapy, injections, or surgery, the objective is the same: lasting functional recovery — a return to work, movement, and the activities that matter most.

Fellowship Expertise

Advanced training in complex & minimally invasive spine surgery.

Modern Techniques

Technology enhances precision. Judgment determines its use.

Conservative First

Surgery recommended only when it truly improves your life.
10+
Publications & Book Chapters
18
National & International Presentations
Thornburg Award
Excellence in Surgical Research
NASS · AO Spine
Professional Society Member
Care Philosophy
"Most neck and back pain doesn't need surgery. My job is to know — with precision — when yours does, and to get it right when it does."
— Michael Pompliano, M.D.
Patient Experiences

Why patients trust Dr. Pompliano

★★★★★

"[REVIEW TEXT — pull verbatim from your Google Business Profile once reviews begin. Aim for one that mentions listening.]"

— [First name L.], Patient
Posted publicly on Google
★★★★★

"[REVIEW TEXT — choose one describing a successful outcome and quality of life regained.]"

— [First name L.], Patient
Posted publicly on Google
★★★★★

"[REVIEW TEXT — choose one about a second opinion or avoiding unnecessary surgery.]"

— [First name L.], Patient
Posted publicly on Google
Workers' Compensation & Personal Injury

Injured at work or in an accident?

Dr. Pompliano accepts workers' compensation and personal injury cases. Spine injuries from workplace accidents and motor vehicle collisions deserve the same careful, conservative-first evaluation as any other condition — along with the thorough documentation and timely communication these cases depend on.

The clinical priority never changes: an accurate diagnosis, an honest treatment plan, and a recovery focused on returning you to work and the life you had before the injury.

Timely Evaluations

Prompt appointments for new injury cases, so treatment and claims aren't left waiting.

Objective, Thorough Documentation

Clear records of findings, imaging, and treatment recommendations at every step.

Coordinated Communication

Responsive coordination with case managers, adjusters, and attorneys throughout care.
For Patients, Employers & Attorneys

Referrals and case inquiries welcome.

If you or your client has a work-related or accident-related spine injury, contact the practice to discuss an evaluation.

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Neck or back pain that isn't getting better?

Start with an evaluation, not an operation. Fellowship-trained. Conservative when possible. Precise when it counts.

Request Consultation Prefer email? contact@pomplianospine.com
Accepting new patients · Second opinions welcomed · Most major insurances accepted