Dr. Justin Esterberg
Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Seattle, WA
26 years experience male
Locations
Orthopedic Physicians Associates
Seattle, WA
My office hours
Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Show morePhone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna
BlueCross BlueShield
Cigna
First Choice Health
Great West Healthcare
Labor & Industries
Medicare
No Value
PacifiCare
Regence
SecureHorizons
Uniform Medical Plan
Great Lakes Health Plan
Workers Compensation
Office
Seattle, WA
About
Bio
Dr. Esterberg’s goal as your doctor is to help you identify what is causing your symptoms, learn about that problem, and then discuss with you the types of treatment that could benefit you. He is focused on you and how your particular issue is affecting your everyday activities. Both you and he will explore the nonsurgical and surgical options available to you. If a surgical option is chosen, then his goal would be to utilize the least invasive techniques that can help you get back to your everyday activities as soon as possible. In his spare time, Dr. Esterberg enjoys the city of Seattle and likes to explore his environment. He likes to do just about any sport that involves the mountains or the water - alpine skiing in particular. Since he was raised in Minnesota, ice hockey is his favorite sport and he continues to play, despite the lack of ice here in Seattle.
Please read Dr. Esterberg's biography .
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Orthopedic Spine Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Doctor Q&A
106 Answers
47 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Close quarters: A lot of meningitis outbreaks occur in settings where people are in close contact ie. Schools, nightclubs etc....
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Sciatica: Low back, buttock and "shooting" leg pain are all symptoms of a pinched nerve. It sounds like you may have that problem. If the pain is severe and l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Stenosis: Those symptoms you describe can result from spondylolisthesis and stenosis. There are several treatments for these issues ranging from nonsurgical to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Disc: The indications for surgery depend on the patients pain level, pattern of pain, time dealing with the problem, treatments attempted etc. A lot if pe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Go to the ER: Assuming you did not injury the ankle. This could indicate an infection of the ankle. It is advised to go to the er and be evaluated and they can de... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old male asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Blood pressure: As long as the blood pressure is under control well before surgery, it is not a contraindication to having surgery . If you do have high blood pressu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Congenital : Congenital scoliosis is typically treated in childhood. This really depends on the underlying reason for the scoliosis, how old your child is, and the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
If no pain...no: If your symptoms are minimal or nonexistent at this point, you do not need surgery. The fact that you had cauda equina syndrome indicates that the pr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
About 6 wks: A fractured finger usually takes about 6 wks for the bone to heal. If the fracture involves the knuckle or joint, pain can persist because the joint ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Neck: You may have a new problem in your neck. Check back again with your spine surgeon. Sorry to hear you are having that.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old male asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Sciatica: Low back, buttock and "shooting" leg pain are all symptoms of a pinched nerve. It sounds like you may have that problem. If the pain is severe and l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Pain: Sometimes people can have pain because the screws have loosened or an infection has developed. Sometimes it just takes a long time for the pain to di... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 75-year-old male asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Pain: Sometimes people continue to have sciatica pain because the screws have loosened or an infection has developed. Sometimes it just takes a long time f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Go to ER: If you haven't already been seen, i would go to the er and be evaluated for these symptoms.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 55-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Exercise: Routine low impact aerobic exercise can reduce your overall pain (i.e. Walking cycling swimming) i would check with your primary doctor as well. P... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Several : Low back, buttock and "shooting" leg pain are all symptoms of a pinched nerve. It sounds like you may have that problem. If the pain is severe and l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old male asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Exercise: Routine low impact aerobic exercise can reduce your overall pain (i.e. Walking cycling swimming) i would check with your primary doctor as well. P... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Symptoms: It is all based on current symptoms and function...Pain and ability to walk, and perform job functions. If you have no or minimal pain and can do you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 81-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Thigh pain: After fusion can be multifactorial. It can be due to nerve irritation along the front of the thigh, nerve irritation after decompression, hip flexor ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Pain: Try taking some antiinflammatories like ibuprofen. Rest it a bit. If the pain doesn't subside enough to get up and walk, you should see a physician... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Pain: Try taking some antiinflammatories like Ibuprofen unless you have a history of ulcers or kidney disease. Rest it a bit. If the pain doesn't subside ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 55-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
NWB: No weight is placed through that leg or arm.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Multiple: Depending on the amount of pain being experienced, an antiinflammatory such as Ibuprofen (advil) can be used. A stronger antiinflammatory such as ste... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Several treatments: Coccyx pain is mainly treated with ice, antiinflammatories such as ibuprofen, and to take pressure off the coccyx by using a donut shaped cushion... T... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Diet/exercise: Best thing to prevent osteoporosis is routine exercise... Many calcium supplements out there...Find one with vitamin d. Dietary calcium with dairy p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Side effect: No special side effects because of the ankylosing spondylitis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 65-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Depends on pain: Most disc herniations heal with time. Depending on pain levels, medications like antiinflammatories and muscle relaxers are often helpful. If there ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
No: Disc desiccation is a natural process of aging, unfortunately. No relationship to body temperature
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old male asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
P 90x: Used this one personally and know several others who did... Good overall workouts for low cost and easy to do at home and save the dollars of an expe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Transverse: Transverse process fractures can cause pain and without any other injury to the bones and ligaments to the spine, they heal on their own.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Exercise: Low impact exercise such as swimming , cycling , elliptical trainers on a regular basis can be helpful for arthritic joints. Aqua/pool aerobics is a ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Exercise: Nothing compares to routine exercise and eating healthy. Avoid gimmicks like these pills. They can cause other health issuesandhabe interactions wit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Yes: Cervical spine trauma can cause leg weakness because the spinal cord travels through the cervical spine. If a fracture or dislocation of a bone in th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Depends on pain: Depending on pain levels and individual results will vary. If no pain there is no specific treatment that will reverse a bulging disc. It is best to... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Your decision: Surgery is needed when someone has intractable pain related to a disc protrusion or disc herniation. The symptoms related to a disc issue such as the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Xrays: Xrays can make the diagnosis of spondylolisthesis. Xrays can show the relationships of the vertebrae (bones) in your spine and determine if one is sl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A male asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Sciatica: Low back, buttock and "shooting" leg pain are all symptoms of a pinched nerve. It sounds like you may have that problem. If the pain is severe and l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Fusion: I think the best ways to help minimize that risk are to stay active with low-impact activities such as swimming, cycling and to maintain good core str... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Unlikely: It takes a lot of tissue damage to dislocate any joint. The ligaments and joint capsules typically need to be torn for a joint to dislocate and this ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Surgery possible: If you have had a fusion and some of the disc remains and reherniated to cause your current symptoms and you have imaging that correlates, surgery is ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old male asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Check with company: Creatine supplements are not regulated by the fda. You may find some reviews of various creatine supplements....Find one that also has analysis on ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Spine: After a fusion arthritis can occur above and below the fused segments of the spine. It sounds like your surgery was many years ago. If you so not ha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Back: Yes this can be a result of a disc herniation. The sacral nerves travel through the l5-s1 disc level and when pinched can cause odd sensory symptoms.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Back pain: Most common cause is muscle strain (pulled muscles). There are several other spine related causes such as disc herniation and arthritis. Non spine c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Spine: Check back with your spine doc. Sometimes people will have pain in another area of their back when using a brace. Usually this will get better with... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
No: Residual muscle weakness can take a long time to resolve, even 12 months or longer. Epidural injections are sometimes helpful for pain, not for resid... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Nerve : Sounds like it could be a pinched nerve in your lower neck. Typically these will get better on their own. You can try icing, antiinflammatories and... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Not really: Ruptured discs will often heal with time. Treatment is only needed if the pain is bothersome or there are other associated symptoms such as weakness... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A female asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Surgery: Septic joints require surgery to wash out the infection. It is helpful postoperatively to brace the ankle, whether it is a plaster splint or boot fo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
Dr. Justin Esterberganswered
Orthopedic Spine Surgery 26 years experience
Back pain: Most common cause is muscle strain (pulled muscles). There are several other spine related causes such as disc herniation and arthritis. Non spine c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
33
Recommendations
220
Thank you notes
Nov 27, 2012
I was the spine surgeon who originally recruited Justin Esterberg to Seattle. Every reference I called was stellar regarding his clinical judgment, surgical expertise, and ease of working with his pe...Read More
Nov 27, 2012
I have worked with Dr. Esterberg on both elective spinal surgery cases involving the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, as well as spinal trauma. I can attest to his surgical skills which are impec...Read More
Jun 9, 2013
Dr. Esterberg is a well trained bright and capable spine surgeon. Any patient under his care would greatly benefit. He is conservative in his approach to treatment, thoughtful in surgical planning, an...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! I have seen a Dr twice in less that a month and got same answer but they barely examin me its like they want to get rid of me
HealthTap member
I had hip x-rays done and they said I'm still not done growing,my thoracic part of my spine is under my muscle could this mean its twisted?
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! I've been to 5 they won't touch it.I think think they don't want to another's mistake :(
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis
Graduated 2002MD
Medical/Graduate school
University of St. Thomas
Graduated 1997MD
Residency
University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview
Residency
University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview
Awards
Emerging Leaders Program, American Orthopaedic Association
Top Orthopedic Spine Surgeon , First Place, Washington - Winter
2013
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
King County Medical Society
Publications
Comparison of lordosis outcomes: ALIF vs TLIF vs posterolateral instrumeted fusion
Identification Particles and System and Method for Retrospective Identification Using Spectral Codes
An analysis of an anatomic posterolateral knee reconstruction: An in vitro biomechanical study and development of a surgical technique.
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