Nicholas J. Wills, M.D.

Tailored solutions for the best interest of patients

“We have so many different ways to fix spine problems,” he says. “There are fusion surgeries, discectomy surgeries, or laminectomy surgeries—but I think these options have to be incredibly tailored to the patient. If you look at an older patient’s MRI, you may see 10 or 20 different spine abnormalities, but that doesn’t mean that the patient needs a large, invasive surgery to address every single issue. My job is to find the one problem that is really causing the pain, and fix that. Often, a relatively small surgery can resolve pain and make the patient remarkably better—with far less morbidity than a large surgery would risk. That’s the principle of minimally invasive surgery; it’s about a smaller incision, but it’s also about a mentality that values the least invasive surgical solution that is best for the patient.”

Discover Summit’s technologically advanced and award-winning spine surgical care

• Learn more: Superior Surgical Safety Recognized by Joint Commission Award

Personalized care is Dr. Wills’ priority. “The details of our patient care differentiate Summit in the market,” he explains. “Medical expertise is essential, but we are investing in a quality of care that you won’t find at other practices. For instance, we brought in our own anesthesiologist at our surgery center. He’s using non-narcotic pain techniques and medications that you won’t find elsewhere. This gives my patients a safer and more comfortable experience. It’s an approach that communicates our commitment to care in tangible ways that matter to my patients.”

• Check out how pain is managed safely at Summit

Across the nation, Dr. Nicholas Wills trains other surgeons on the best techniques for disc replacement surgery. He was a pioneer in this market, adopting new technology that allows for a two-level disc replacement maintains the motion at both levels of repair.

• Read more: Benefits Of Cervical Disc Replacement

Most satisfying aspect of being a physician

Ask Dr. Nicholas Wills what he likes best about his job, and his answer is immediate. “That’s super easy: improving my patients’ well-being. I treat patients with sciatica—that’s one of the most excruciatingly painful orthopedic conditions you can have. Radiculopathy, or compressed nerve pain, is the worst. Most of the time, I can make this pain better. It’s about more than merely restoring quality of life. Pain doesn’t just affect your life—it ruins your life, and that’s very different. It’s my job to fix that pain. When you know how to do your job well, you can really help people. I love that.”

Nerve conditions – Expert resources from Dr. Nicholas Wills

Helping you make educated decisions – Ask Dr. Wills:

• Find out: What Questions Should I Ask My Spine Surgeon?

Everyday spine insights from Dr. Wills: