Hieu T. Ball, M.D., is a double fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon who completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at Harvard Medical School. He has been in practice for 20 years in Northern California.
In this exciting time of technological advances in spine surgery, Dr. Hieu Ball devotes his practice to critical evaluation of the most current treatment options for neck, mid-back, and low-back problems.
His patient-centered, individualized approach to caring for patients helps him achieve accurate diagnoses and logical treatment plans that optimize the spinal health outcomes for his patients. His CalSpine MD office staff is organized and dedicated to ensuring that each patient receives the utmost personal attention and care.
Dr. Ball grew up in Hawaii, attended Punahou Academy, and later matriculated at Cornell University for his undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. He later attended Tufts University Medical School, where he earned his Medical Doctorate and Masters in Public Health in the university's 4-year combined degree program. His General Surgery internship took place at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. Ball matched at Harvard Medical School for his Orthopaedic Surgery Residency, six years which involved extensive clinical training at Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Beth Israel-New England Deaconess Hospital with leading, internationally renowned professors and faculty. He served as Chief Resident and Pediatric Spine Fellow at Boston Children's Hospital where he focused on pediatric trauma, hip dysplasia treatment, and complex pediatric spinal deformity. Dr. Ball then performed a second spine fellowship in adult spine surgery at UCLA/St. John's Medical Center under Dr. Rick Delamarter and Edgar Dawson.
Dr. Hieu Ball has 20 years of experience specializing in the treatment of spinal disorders of adult and pediatric patients. His practice includes caring for congenital, scoliosis, trauma/fracture care, degenerative disc disease, disc herniations, spinal stenosis, work-related injuries, and complex revision surgery. Dr. Ball serves on the clinical faculty for minimally invasive techniques and motion-preserving surgery, such as total disc replacement, and strives to deliver academic excellence in his private practice setting.
With minimally invasive surgical techniques, many patients experience less pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recoveries; in many instances, surgeries may be performed at ambulatory surgery centers, with same-day or next-day discharge to home. Dr. Ball teaches courses to other physicians and surgeons on artificial disc replacement; motion preservation technologies; minimally invasive fusion, discectomies, laminectomies; complex and revision fusion surgery; and advanced pain management techniques such as spinal cord stimulator treatment.
Current areas of interest and emphasis include direct lateral minimally invasive fusion (XLIF, DLIF, LLIF), standalone anterior lumbar fusion (ALIF) techniques, both of which allow complete removal of diseased discs and placement of stable fusion devices (cages) from less traumatic and less painful front-sided approaches to the spine. When appropriate, motion sparing techniques such as cervical and lumbar artificial disc replacement may be recommended.
Dr. Ball is also a leading expert in sacroiliac (SI) joint treatment, including minimally invasive SI joint fusion. Dr. Ball is actively involved in teaching and clinical research in all of these areas, and he has key roles in the innovation and development of these important technologies. In many patients, all of these technologies may be performed in an ambulatory surgery center setting.
With over 20 years of experience treating complex spinal conditions in both adult and pediatric patients, Dr. Ball is known for his patient-centered approach and advanced surgical skill. He combines cutting-edge technology with compassionate care to help patients regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life.
For appointments, please call us at (925) 838-8830 or request an appointment online.
