Dr. Aaron G. Filler, MD PhD JD FRCS

Medical Director, Neurological Injury Specialists, Santa Monica, California

World-Renowned Expert

Meet Dr. Aaron G. Filler

A globally recognized expert in the treatment of peripheral nerve disorders and the development of nerve imaging technology, Dr. Aaron Filler is the world's leading expert in treatment of nerve pain. He has revolutionized nerve-pain treatment by inventing several new technologies.

One such technology, MR Neurography, enables doctors to use an MRI scanner to examine nerves, previously a difficult-to-impossible tissue to visualize with MR imaging. His research in axonal transport is leading to a whole new generation of advanced pain medications.

Compassionate Personal Attention

Dr. Filler typically spends more than an hour with each new patient

Expert Medical Skills

MD from University of Chicago, PhD from Harvard University

Best Technology in the World

Inventor on 10 major patents, 20+ scientific publications

MD, PhD, JD, FRCS
Board Certified
10+ Patents
30+ Years

Sub-Specialties

  • Peripheral Nerve Surgery

  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

  • Piriformis Syndrome

  • Nerve Entrapment Syndromes

  • Brachial Plexus Disorders

  • Spinal Neurosurgery

  • Repair of Failed Spinal Surgeries

  • Cervical Artificial Disk Replacement

  • Cervical and Lumbar Spine Fusions

  • Herniated Disks

  • Image Guided Surgery

  • Cranial Surgery for Pain Disorders

  • Microvascular Decompression

  • Trigeminal Neuralgia

  • Torticollis

  • Sub-Occipital Decompression for Arnold-Chiari Malformations

  • Foramen Magnum Syndrome

Education

  • BA, University of Chicago

  • MA, University of Chicago

  • PhD, Harvard University

  • MD, University of Chicago

  • Residency, University of Washington, Seattle

  • Spine Fellowship, UCLA

  • Peripheral Nerve Surgery Fellowship, Louisiana State University

  • JD, Concord School of Law, Kaplan University

Positions

Faculty Positions

  • University of London, UK

  • University of Washington, Seattle

  • UCLA, Los Angeles

Administrative Positions

  • Medical Staff, Cedars Sinai Medical Center

  • Director, Peripheral Nerve Program, Century City Hospital 2001–2003

  • Chief of Clinical Services, Neurography Institute

  • Co-Director Peripheral Nerve Surgery Program, UCLA 1996–2001

  • Director, UCLA Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Program 1999–2001

  • Associate Director, UCLA Comprehensive Spine Center 1996–2001

Visiting Professorships

  • University of London: Atkinson Morley’s Hospital, Dept. of Neurosurgery, Oct 1997

  • Harvard University, Beth Israel/Deaconess Hospital, Dept. of Anesthesia, Nov 1999

Amazon

Read Dr. Filler’s Best-Selling Book

For the half million people who undergo back surgery each year, and the additional million who are seriously contemplating it, Do You Really Need Back Surgery? is a godsend–an informed, reliable guide to when you should consider surgery and when you should not.

Written by an internationally recognized expert in nerve and spinal surgery, Dr. Aaron G. Filler, MD PhD JD FRCS, this highly readable guide covers everything back patients need to know to make informed decisions about their treatment. Featuring 115 illustrations, the book discusses the details of spinal anatomy; the difference between acute, chronic, and recurring pain; shows how to keep the spine healthy; and explains such terms as spurs, stenosis, and slippage. It reveals what clues your physician uses to predict whether a given type of pain is likely to go away with rest and exercise, or may become an emergency.

Dr. Filler discusses the risks of surgery, the decisions you may be faced with and what options you have, and your expectations for recovery. He provides detailed explanations of the wide array of spinal injections and surgeries, including discectomies and fusions, as well as innovative procedures such as electrothermic and laser techniques and artificial disks. He explains the various medical imaging and diagnostic tests available and even covers the complexities of health insurance.

The new and extensively revised Second Edition now covers dozens of advanced techniques in spinal diagnostics and treatment as well as advances in new pain medications and new surgeries that minimize recovery time and achieve better outcomes. A new section on the benefits and risks of a wide array of herbal medicines has been added. Finally, the book features two entirely new chapters that describe a series of different nerve entrapment syndromes that can cause headache, neck, shoulder, and arm pain as well as causing buttock and leg pain — but are not caused by spine problems.