Neurological
Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Specialists
Expert Spinal Cord Injury Care in Phoenix, AZ — From a Dual Board-Certified Spine Surgeon & Neurosurgeon
A spinal cord injury requires experienced, urgent surgical expertise to stabilize the spine and protect the cord. At Desert Spine and Pain, Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon, provides that expertise — and coordinates directly with your personal-injury attorney.
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Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
A spinal cord injury — damage to the cord from trauma or compression — is among the most serious spine conditions, and it demands experienced surgical judgment to stabilize the spine, relieve pressure on the cord, and protect function. At Desert Spine and Pain in Phoenix, a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon provides expert, consult-led care, with full documentation for any injury claim.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500The Spinal Cord and Injury
What Is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord — the bundle of nerves that carries signals between the brain and the body. It can result from trauma (a car accident, fall, or sports injury), often with a fracture or dislocation, or from severe compression. Depending on the level and severity, an SCI can affect movement, sensation, and other functions below the injury.
Spinal cord injuries are complex and consult-led. The surgical priorities are to stabilize the spine and relieve any ongoing pressure on the cord — work that calls for a surgeon experienced with both the spine and the nervous system.
When to Seek Care for a Spinal Cord Injury
A suspected spinal cord injury is a medical emergency. After emergency care, an experienced spine surgeon and neurosurgeon guides stabilization, decompression, and recovery planning.
Call 911 immediately for any suspected spinal cord injury — especially after trauma with weakness, numbness, loss of movement or sensation, or loss of bladder or bowel control. Do not move the person unless necessary for safety.
How We Approach Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injury care is individualized and consult-led. After emergency stabilization, surgery focuses on protecting the cord and restoring spinal stability.
Urgent evaluation & stabilization
After emergency care, detailed imaging defines the injury so the spine can be protected and a surgical plan made — time is critical for the cord.
Decompression surgery
Relieving any ongoing pressure on the cord — via laminectomy or corpectomy — is a central goal when compression is present.
Spinal stabilization & fusion
A lumbar or cervical fusion restores stability to an injured, unstable spine so healing and rehabilitation can proceed.
Why Choose Our Spinal Cord Injury Specialists in Phoenix
Choosing the right spinal cord injury specialist in Phoenix matters. At Desert Spine and Pain, your care is led by Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS — a physician who is both a board-certified spine surgeon and a neurosurgeon. That dual expertise is rare, and it means one expert can guide you across the full spectrum of care — from a simple injection to complex surgery — and recommend what is genuinely best for you, whether you need a spinal cord injury doctor for conservative care or a surgeon when surgery is truly the answer.
A rare dual credential — so the specialist who treats you can also perform surgery if it's ever needed.
Most patients get better without surgery. We only advance when your condition truly requires it.
No referral needed. We make it straightforward to see a top spine specialist, even out-of-network.
24/7 concierge response and close coordination with personal-injury attorneys.
Life Beyond the Pain
What to Expect: Your Care Journey at Desert Spine and Pain
From your first visit, the goal is a clear diagnosis and a plan built around you — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Consultation
We listen to your history, examine you, and review any prior imaging — no referral required.
Diagnosis
If needed, we order or review MRI/X-ray imaging and may use diagnostic nerve testing or a diagnostic injection to confirm the exact source.
Personalized plan
Dr. Greenwald explains your options in plain language and starts with the least invasive treatment likely to work.
Treatment & follow-up
We deliver your care — therapy, a procedure, or surgery at an affiliated accredited facility — and follow you closely until you're back to living.
Insurance, Out-of-Network & Cost
Cost and coverage shouldn't stand between you and relief. Desert Spine and Pain welcomes out-of-network patients and will walk you through what your evaluation and treatment are likely to involve before anything is scheduled — so there are no surprises. We'll help you understand your benefits and options, whether you're using insurance, paying out-of-pocket, or being treated under a personal-injury claim.
Injured in an Accident?
If your pain started with a car accident, slip-and-fall, or work injury, we offer a dedicated pathway: prompt evaluation, thorough documentation and records for your case, and direct coordination with your personal-injury attorney. You focus on recovering; we handle the medical side.
Schedule Your ConsultationProudly Serving the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area
Patients travel to Desert Spine and Pain from across Arizona for specialist spine care — because the right spine surgeon is worth the drive. We welcome patients from Phoenix and communities throughout the Valley and beyond:
…and surrounding Arizona communities. Out-of-network patients are welcome, and no referral is required — schedule a consultation.
Related Conditions We Treat
Vertebral Compression Fractures
A collapse of the front of a vertebra, often from osteoporosis.
Learn MoreNot sure which applies? Start with the neurological spine conditions we treat.
Expert care for a serious injury.
See a dual board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon in Phoenix for expert spinal cord injury care — with full documentation for your claim.
Book a Consultation — (602) 566-9500Spinal Cord Injury: Frequently Asked Questions
Is a spinal cord injury always permanent?
Not necessarily. Outcomes vary widely by the level and severity of the injury. Prompt stabilization and relieving any ongoing pressure on the cord give the best chance for recovery and rehabilitation.
What does surgery do for a spinal cord injury?
Surgery focuses on stabilizing an injured, unstable spine and relieving any compression on the cord — protecting the cord and creating the conditions for recovery and rehabilitation.
My spinal cord injury is from an accident — can you help with my claim?
Yes. We provide expert care along with thorough documentation and records, and we coordinate directly with your personal-injury attorney.
Why choose a spine surgeon and neurosurgeon?
Spinal cord injuries involve both the spinal column and the nervous system. Dr. Greenwald's dual training is precisely the expertise these complex injuries require.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD
Neuro-Spine Surgeon
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Phone: (602) 566-9500
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If you or a loved one is facing the challenges of a spinal cord injury, expert care can make all the difference. Dr. Greenwald and his experienced team are dedicated to providing the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options available to support recovery and improve long-term outcomes. Every step you take toward specialized spine care brings you closer to renewed strength and stability. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step toward expert guidance, compassionate care, and a better quality of life.
Voted Best Spine Doctor
Over 30 Years Experience in Orthopedic & Neuro Spine Surgeries.
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS
Neurosurgeon | Spine Surgeon | Regenerative Medicine
Dr. David L. Greenwald, MD, FAANS, FACS, is a board-certified spine surgeon and neurosurgeon with extensive experience diagnosing and treating spinal cord injury, which can cause pain, numbness, or weakness. He uses advanced imaging to pinpoint the true source of your symptoms and builds a personalized, least-invasive-first plan — from conservative care and targeted injections to minimally invasive surgery only when it is truly needed. His skill and patient-centered approach help patients throughout the greater Phoenix, Arizona area experience meaningful pain relief, reduced recovery time, and restored mobility.
Book your Spine Care Consultation Today!
Desert Spine and Pain
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