Spine Surgeon in Sarasota, FL
Expert Treatment for Back Pain, Neck Pain, and Spinal Disorders
Dr. Hannah Groff is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon who sees patients at Alexander Orthopaedics in Sarasota, FL. She treats the full range of spinal disorders, including spinal stenosis, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves, and complex adult deformity. Every treatment plan starts with the least invasive option that will relieve your back pain.
Meet Dr. Hannah Groff, D.O.
Dr. Groff completed her spine surgery fellowship at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, one of the busiest trauma centers in the country. There she trained in degenerative spine conditions, spinal trauma, and complex adult deformity correction.
She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her orthopedic surgery residency at Nassau University Medical Center in New York, where she served as Chief Resident. She has published multiple peer-reviewed research articles in orthopedic and spine surgery.
Spine surgery is performed by both orthopedic surgeons and physicians trained in neurosurgery. A surgeon's expertise is shaped by the fellowship that follows residency, and Dr. Groff's was dedicated entirely to the spine.
Her clinical focus is minimally invasive techniques and preserving the mobility patients already have. She works through each treatment decision with the patient rather than handing down a plan.
Outside the operating room, Dr. Groff spends time with family and friends and takes advantage of the water, including boating and jet skiing.
Conditions Dr. Groff Treats
Dr. Groff treats spinal disorders affecting the neck, mid-back, and lower back, from common degenerative problems to complex deformity. Patients often find her after searching for back doctors who can explain what is causing their pain.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the nerves inside it. It commonly causes leg pain, numbness, or heaviness that worsens with walking and eases when you sit or lean forward. Dr. Groff trained extensively in degenerative spine conditions during her fellowship.
Herniated and Bulging Discs
A herniated disc occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through its outer wall and presses on a nearby nerve. Most herniated discs improve without surgery, and Dr. Groff will exhaust those options before recommending an operation.
Neck Pain and Cervical Spine Conditions
Dr. Groff treats degenerative conditions of the cervical spine, including disc problems and nerve compression that cause neck pain, headaches, and symptoms radiating into the arms.
Adult Spinal Deformity and Scoliosis
Adult spinal deformity includes scoliosis and other curvature problems that develop or worsen later in life. Dr. Groff trained in complex deformity correction at Harborview, and this is among the more specialized skill sets in spine surgery.
Degenerative Disc Disease and Spinal Osteoarthritis
Degenerative disc disease describes the wear that spinal discs accumulate over time as they lose water content and height. Osteoarthritis in the spine's facet joints develops through the same process and often occurs alongside it. Both are core clinical areas for Dr. Groff and frequent sources of chronic neck pain and lower back pain.
Sciatica, Radiculopathy, and Pinched Nerves
Sciatica is nerve pain that travels from the lower back down through the buttock and leg, caused by compression of a nerve root. Pinched nerves in the neck, called cervical radiculopathy, send pain and numbness into the shoulder, arm, or hand.
Spinal Trauma and Fractures
Dr. Groff's fellowship included extensive training in spinal trauma at a level one trauma center, covering fractures and injuries to the spinal column.
Nonsurgical Spine Treatment Comes First
Most spine conditions improve without surgery. Dr. Groff begins with the nonsurgical treatments most likely to relieve your specific problem, and surgery becomes an option only when those stop working.
Diagnosis starts with an exam and imaging. X-rays show the alignment and bone structure of your spine, and an MRI can be ordered when soft tissue like a disc or nerve needs a closer look.
Alexander Orthopaedics offers a range of nonsurgical spine treatments, including epidural steroid injections for nerve inflammation, facet and medial branch blocks for joint-related neck pain and back pain, radiofrequency ablation for pain from arthritis and trauma, and sacroiliac joint injections. Physical therapy is available in the same practice, which shortens the distance between a treatment plan and the people carrying it out.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Sarasota
When surgery is the right answer, Dr. Groff uses minimally invasive techniques designed to reach the problem without disturbing the surrounding muscle, bone, and tissue. Smaller incisions mean less blood loss and a faster return to normal activity than traditional open spine surgery.
Minimally invasive procedures for the spine include microdiscectomy to remove the portion of a disc pressing on a nerve, laminectomy to relieve pressure in a narrowed spinal canal, and spinal fusion to stabilize vertebrae that have become a source of pain or instability.
Alexander Orthopaedics performs spine procedures in its own outpatient surgery center, with a board-certified anesthesiologist monitoring you throughout. Most patients go home the same day.
Spine Care at Our Sarasota Office
Dr. Groff sees patients at Alexander Orthopaedics in Sarasota, FL, alongside our orthopedic specialists in sports medicine, joint replacement, and foot and ankle care. Having the full range of orthopedic services in one practice means your spine care stays coordinated from diagnosis through recovery.
5911 North Honore Ave. Unit 120
Sarasota, FL 34243
Phone: 727-547-4700
Fax: 727-394-8661
Why You Should See a Spine Surgeon For Your Back Pain
Neck Injury Symptoms
Moving on After Cervical Disc Replacement
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Groff
Back pain that limits what you can do is worth an expert opinion. Request an appointment below and a member of our team will contact you within 24 hours to talk through next steps and answer your questions.