Mayo Clinic's approach
Team approach
Pediatric experts. Mayo Clinic's pediatric experts provide the highest quality care for children who have cervical spine conditions. Your child receives care from an experienced multispecialty team that includes specialists from pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric neurology, pediatric orthopedic surgery, pediatric rehabilitation and other areas. Together they provide the most appropriate treatment for your child — before and after surgery. Specialized nursing and child life specialists help ensure care and education is targeted to your child's development and understanding.
Advanced technology
Mayo Clinic surgeons use the latest techniques for cervical spine surgery, including minimally invasive approaches, 3D printed models, navigation and low-dose imaging during surgery to guide the procedure.
Mayo Clinic is consistently recognized by external organizations for providing outstanding patient care. These endorsements reinforce our commitment to provide expert, compassionate care to both children and adults.
Expertise and rankings
Each year, Mayo Clinic surgeons perform around 100 pediatric cervical spine surgeries.
- Pediatric experts. Mayo Clinic's pediatric experts provide the highest quality care for children who have cervical spine conditions. Your child receives care from an experienced multispecialty team that includes specialists from pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric neurology, pediatric orthopedic surgery, pediatric anesthesiology, pediatric pain management, pediatric rehabilitation and other areas. Children who need hospital care receive treatment at Mayo Eugenio Litta Children's Hospital, which includes a dedicated pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), operating room suite, and play areas for children and siblings.
- Research. Mayo Clinic researchers conduct studies to determine the most appropriate evaluation and treatment approaches for pediatric cervical spine conditions. People undergoing occipitocervical and cervical spine surgery at Mayo Clinic have the opportunity to participate in multicenter registries of the Pediatric Craniocervical Society and Pediatric Spine Foundation.
- Nationally recognized expertise. Mayo Clinic researchers are principal members of the Pediatric Spine Foundation and the Pediatric Craniocervical Society. These national groups coordinate data related to pediatric cervical spinal disease to learn more about these conditions and determine how to best treat them.
Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery and for orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic Children's Center in Rochester is ranked the No. 1 hospital in Minnesota, and the five-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings.
Learn more about Mayo Clinic's Orthopedic Surgery, Neurosurgery and Neurology departments' expertise and rankings.
Locations, travel and lodging
Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.
For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:
Costs and insurance
Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.
Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.
Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.