Redefining Spine Health
Dr. Paquette specializes in all cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine disorders. He practices minimally invasive and neuronavigation assisted spine surgery and has extensive experience in complex adult and pediatric spinal deformity and scoliosis.
Dr. Justin D. Paquette, M.D., M.A.
Neurosurgeon / Pain Management
Dr. Paquette specializes in all cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine disorders. He practices minimally invasive and neuronavigation assisted spine surgery and has extensive experience in complex adult and pediatric spinal deformity and scoliosis.
Specialized in complex revision surgeries, spine reconstruction and incorporates cutting edge motion preservation technology, artificial disc, spinal tumor management and peripheral nerve decompression.
He uses stem cell technology in all part of his surgeries and is adept at non-operative spine management such as spine injections.
He serves as a traveling instructor for advance surgical techniques and motion preservation technologies and has been a national speaker for current research and surgical techniques throughout the United States. He is currently developing connections and developments with multiple foreign countries. Dr. Paquette has also been interviewed by multiple medical television programs including shows on E! Entertainment, The Doctor's Show and Lifetime Network.
Dr. Paquette received his bachelors of science in biology, psychology and cognitive science from Vassar College. He received his masters in neuroscience and neurology from the Boston University School of Medicine and received his medical degree from Albany Medical College. After an internship in general surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard University, he completed a residency in neurosurgery at Harvard and the Tufts New England Medical Center. He subsequently completed a comprehensive complex spine surgery fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
He has spent time studying advance spinal endoscopic approaches in Phoenix, Arizona and has had additional training in pediatric scoliosis surgery at Children's Hospital in San Diego. He taught at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for two years and has since developed his private practice.
Injection Therapies
Common body parts: Neck, Lower Back
After an injury, nerve roots can be compressed, leading to pain and inflammation. An epidural steroid injection helps lessen the inflammation of the nerve root allowing the patient to tolerate exercise and therapy for longer term effects. This procedure involves injecting a steroid (which is usually mixed with a numbing medication) into an area of the spine where the affected nerves are inflamed or damaged causing pain, numbness, and tingling. X-rays are used to confirm proper placement and the procedure takes less than 20 minutes with most patients finding relief within a few days lasting up to several years.
Medical Branch Block
Common body parts: Neck, Lower Back
Medial branch nerves supply the facet joints which is a common source of pain with bending motions. By injecting numbing medication at the affected levels, the doctor can determine if pain originates from the facet joints and treat that pain. This procedure is commonly done in combination with an epidural steroid injection.
Rhizotomy / Radiofrequency Neurolysis
Common body parts: Neck, Lower Back
A rhizotomy uses heat to disable the nerve signals that cause pain due to inflammation from an injury. This is usually the next option if epidural steroid injections provide minimal or short-term pain relief. This is expected to relieve pain and spasms for months up to several years.
Facet Joint Injections
Common body parts: Neck, Lower Back
Facet joint injections are similar to medial branch blocks in targeting the facet joints. The difference is the facet joint injection goes directly into the facet joint and is often a combination of a local anesthetic and a steroid. This usually results in short- and long-term pain relief which is considered therapeutic whereas the medial branch block is in most cases is diagnostic.
Surgeries
- Spine Deformity
- Artificial Disc Replacement
- Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery
- Non-Fusion Technologies
- Endoscopic Surgical Approaches
- Scoliosis
- Complex Spinal Reconstruction
- Peripheral Nerve Surgery
Contact Us
Los Angeles
2970 W. Olympic Blvd. Suite 301 Los Angeles, CA 90006
(323)931-2727 | (323)424-8034
Dr. Paquette specializes in all cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine disorders. He practices minimally invasive and neuronavigation assisted spine surgery and has extensive experience in complex adult and pediatric spinal deformity and scoliosis.
