Nicholas Wills, M.D.
I understand the concern of athletes to get back to their sport and working in combination with our therapists helps them there.
Specialties
- Back, Neck & Spine Care
- Surgery
- Cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal disorders
- Minimally invasive surgery
Team
At Summit, each physician works alongside a team of professionals to care for you, our patient. Read more about our team approach to care.
Disc replacement: Nicholas Wills, M.D.
Summit Orthopedics spine surgeon Nicholas Wills, MD shares whether a damaged disc can be replaced. Dr. Wills is a fellowship-trained minimally invasive spine (neck and back) surgeon, specializing in cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine conditions in Minneapolis and St. Paul metro area in Minnesota.
Dr. Nicholas Wills’ Approach to Care
“I understand the concern of athletes to get back to their sport and working in combination with our therapists helps them there.”
Getting started: When to Seek Treatment for Neck or Back Pain [Video]
Introducing Dr. Nicholas Wills
Every morning, Dr. Nicholas Wills arrives at clinic early with his breakfast in one hand. “I raid the fridge for fruit, add frozen kale and protein powder, and blend it into a smoothie,” he grins. “That’s what I eat for breakfast. It’s delicious, it’s packed with balanced nutrients, and it’s a great way to start the day.”
Dr. Wills’ commitment to a healthy breakfast mirrors his comprehensive commitment to patient care. His surgical expertise has won him repeated recognition on the Mpls./St.Paul Magazine’s Rising Stars Doctors list. When he is evaluating a patient, he focuses his knowledge into a streamlined treatment philosophy designed to deliver the best patient outcome.
Tailored solutions for the best interest of patients
“We have so many different ways to fix spine problems,” he says. “There are fusion surgeries, discectomy surgeries, or laminectomy surgeries—but I think these options have to be incredibly tailored to the patient. If you look at an older patient’s MRI, you may see 10 or 20 different spine abnormalities, but that doesn’t mean that the patient needs a large, invasive surgery to address every single issue. My job is to find the one problem that is really causing the pain, and fix that. Often, a relatively small surgery can resolve pain and make the patient remarkably better—with far less morbidity than a large surgery would risk. That’s the principle of minimally invasive surgery; it’s about a smaller incision, but it’s also about a mentality that values the least invasive surgical solution that is best for the patient.”
Discover Summit’s technologically advanced and award-winning spine surgical care
- Learn more: Superior Surgical Safety Recognized by Joint Commission Award
- Understanding technology: How Does An Intraoperative CT Scanner Improve Patient Safety?
Personalized care is Dr. Wills’ priority. “The details of our patient care differentiate Summit in the market,” he explains. “Medical expertise is essential, but we are investing in a quality of care that you won’t find at other practices. For instance, we brought in our own anesthesiologist at our surgery center. He’s using non-narcotic pain techniques and medications that you won’t find elsewhere. This gives my patients a safer and more comfortable experience. It’s an approach that communicates our commitment to care in tangible ways that matter to my patients.”
- See more on why Summit brought anesthesiology in-house
- Check out how pain is managed safely at Summit
Across the nation, Dr. Nicholas Wills trains other surgeons on the best techniques for disc replacement surgery. He was a pioneer in this market, adopting new technology that allows for a two-level disc replacement maintains the motion at both levels of repair.
- Understanding the basics: Degenerative Disc Disease [Video]
- Discover why Summit Orthopedics is a Leader in Total Disc Replacement Surgery
- How it works: Replacing a Damaged Disc [Video]
- Read more: Benefits Of Cervical Disc Replacement
Most satisfying aspect of being a physician
Ask Dr. Nicholas Wills what he likes best about his job, and his answer is immediate. “That’s super easy: improving my patients’ well-being. I treat patients with sciatica—that’s one of the most excruciatingly painful orthopedic conditions you can have. Radiculopathy, or compressed nerve pain, is the worst. Most of the time, I can make this pain better. It’s about more than merely restoring quality of life. Pain doesn’t just affect your life—it ruins your life, and that’s very different. It’s my job to fix that pain. When you know how to do your job well, you can really help people. I love that.”
Nerve conditions – Expert resources from Dr. Nicholas Wills:
- Learn the basics: What Is Radiculopathy?
- Find out: How Do I Know If I Have Lumbar Radiculopathy?
- Learn: What Are The Risk Factors For A Pinched Nerve?
Helping you make educated decisions – Ask Dr. Wills:
- Find out: What Questions Should I Ask My Spine Surgeon?
- Guidance on: Should I Choose A Surgery Center Or Hospital For My Surgery?
Everyday spine insights from Dr. Wills:
- Learn how to Be Smart About Using Your Smart Device
- Understand the Effects of Exercise on Back Injuries [Video]
- Does it work? Bed Rest for Neck and Back Pain [Video]
Undergraduate Studies
University of Notre Dame — South Bend, Indiana
Medical School
University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, Minnesota
Residency
University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, Minnesota
Fellowships
Twin Cities Spine Center — Minneapolis, Minnesota
- National presenter on minimally invasive spine surgery
Waterskiing and golf
Patient Education
Spine Animated Conditions and Treatments Library
Articles and Videos from Nicholas Wills, M.D.
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Melissa’s Story
I can say, one year out, that it’s been quite the success.
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Ask Drs. Wahlquist and Wills: Should I Try Laser Spine Surgery?
Summit spine specialists explain what research tells us about laser spine surgery safety.
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Alternatives to Surgery for Spine Conditions [Video]
Ask the Expert: Spine Video Series
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Spinal Fusion Surgery and New Technologies [Video]
Ask the Expert: Spine Video Series
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Superior Surgical Safety Recognized by Joint Commission Award
Summit’s spine fusion certification is the gold standard in surgical safety.
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Summit Receives Prestigious Spine Fusion Certification
Summit is the first surgery center in the nation to receive spine fusion certification.