Lumbar spine
- Disc herniation and sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis (vertebral slip)
- Persistent symptoms after spine surgery
- 20+ years
- at HUS Neurosurgery, Helsinki
- 3,000+
- neurosurgical procedures
- about 150
- spine operations a year
- 2013
- founded Helsinki Hospital
I am a neurosurgeon specialising in the treatment of spinal conditions. My work combines over twenty years of experience at the Department of Neurosurgery, Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), with the microsurgical teachings of my long-time mentor, Professor Juha Hernesniemi.
Every patient deserves a careful evaluation and an individual treatment plan. Many of my patients are referred by surgical colleagues – but I am also glad to see patients without a referral.
Areas of expertise
What I can help with
Surgery of the spine and nerve structures – from the lumbar and cervical spine to peripheral nerves, from common disc herniations to demanding revision surgery.
Cervical spine
- Cervical disc herniation
- Pain and numbness radiating to the arm
- Cervical stenosis and myelopathy
Nerve entrapment
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow
Complex spine surgery
- Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the neck
- Problems where the skull meets the neck (craniovertebral junction)
- Tumours of the spine and spinal canal
- Revision surgery and trauma
When to seek an assessment
When is a consultation worthwhile?
- Back or neck pain radiates to the arms or legs
- Numbness, tingling or muscle weakness in the limbs
- Your walking distance has become shorter because of back or leg symptoms
- A previous spine operation did not bring the hoped-for result
- An MRI shows a change that compresses a nerve
- You want an experienced surgeon's opinion before deciding on surgery
Your visit
Your care, step by step
- 1
Booking
Book at Terveystalo. No referral is needed, but bring your images and reports.
- 2
Consultation
We go through your symptoms, I examine you, and we look at the images together.
- 3
Plan
Treatment often starts without surgery. We agree on follow-up together.
- 4
Surgery if needed
If surgery is the best option, we go through the benefits, risks, alternatives and preparation.
- 5
Recovery
Most people are up and walking on the day of surgery or the next day. We follow your recovery as agreed.
Please bring: MRI images and reports (if taken elsewhere), earlier operation reports, a list of your medicines – especially blood thinners – and your questions in writing. The illustrated patient guide and surgery guides are available in Finnish.
Treatment philosophy
Precise diagnostics, a listening consultation
In spine surgery, accurate diagnosis and careful listening matter most. Every patient has individual needs, and treatment is planned accordingly. Surgery is not always the best answer – I always assess carefully whether a patient will benefit more from an operation or from other treatment.
In 2013 I founded Helsinki Hospital, where I developed Finland's first day-surgery model for cervical spine surgery – a model later adopted by HUS as well. I believe that modern techniques and patient-centred thinking improve outcomes.
My international experience as a spine surgeon and educator, my long experience in surgical pain treatment (neuromodulation) and my doctorate in neuropharmacology help me form a broad picture of pain mechanisms and treatment options.
Welcome to my practice
Book an appointment at Terveystalo Helsinki – let's look at your situation together.
Book at Terveystalo