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Mihir Gupta, MD, is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon with a background in neurosurgery and orthopaedics. He performs both traditional and minimally invasive procedures to treat an array of complex spinal disorders. Dr. Gupta says he was drawn to spine surgery because of how quickly the field is evolving. “We finally have a much better understanding of why people have back or neck pain and how to make it better safely,” he says. “And that doesn’t always involve surgery. Our job is to figure out when surgery is appropriate, and more importantly, when it is not the best solution.” Dr. Gupta treats a variety of spine conditions including those that are degenerative, deformative, or the result of tumors, infections, or trauma. He also performs revision spine surgeries, or surgeries for people who have had surgery in the past but have a persistent or new problem. Before he walks in the exam room and meets a new patient, Dr. Gupta says he likes to do his homework and look through any imaging studies they brought. “That way, I can focus on listening to them and doing a very thorough physical exam,” he says. “A thoughtful evaluation and really good physical exam are vital for making an accurate diagnosis. Often, I think patients haven’t had their problem explained in a way that makes sense to them, and I prioritize that.” Spine procedures, Dr. Gupta says, are highly personalized. “There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Our diagnostics have come so far that we have better imaging that allows us to see where pain is coming from and if surgery is needed,” Dr. Gupta says. “We also have better tools now with robotics and navigation and minimally invasive methods. These all allow us to tailor the right solution for them.” Surgery, he points out, is often the last resort and, in some cases, is not the right solution for a patient’s pain. “We work closely with the pain management team, anesthesiology, physical therapists, and interventional radiologists to come up with nonsurgical options,” he says. Dr. Gupta’s research interests include understanding how genetics contribute to different spinal disorders and how care can be personalized.