Esa-Pekka Pälvimäki - Neurosurgeon & Spine Surgeon Helsinki

Welcome to my website! I am a neurosurgeon specializing in spine surgery. My work combines over twenty years of experience at HUS Neurosurgery Clinic and the teachings of my long-time supervisor and mentor, Professor Juha Hernesniemi, in microsurgery techniques.

I believe every patient deserves a careful evaluation and an individualized treatment plan. During your consultation, we will thoroughly review your symptoms, test results, and different treatment options. My goal is always to find the best possible treatment for you individually - whether that's surgery, rehabilitation, or another form of treatment.

Throughout my career, I have performed over 3,000 neurosurgical procedures and currently perform approximately 150 spine surgeries annually. A significant portion of my patients are referred by surgical colleagues, but I am happy to see new patients as well.

Areas of Expertise

Lumbar Spine Problems

Disc herniation and bulging disc
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal)
Spondylolisthesis (vertebral slippage)
Failed back surgery syndrome

Cervical Spine Conditions

Cervical disc herniation
Radicular pain and numbness in arms
Cervical spinal stenosis

Peripheral Nerve Compression

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Ulnar nerve entrapment

Complex Spine Surgery

Rheumatoid changes in cervical spine
Craniovertebral junction problems
Spinal cord and spinal column tumors
Revision surgeries
Traumatic spine injuries

When Should You Seek Consultation?

Back or neck pain radiating to arms or legs
Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in limbs
Walking distance limited due to back pain
Previous spine surgery did not provide desired results
MRI shows nerve compression causing changes
Seeking second opinion from experienced surgeon before surgery decision

Important to know: I use microsurgical neurosurgical techniques in surgery - in other words, the precise methods of brain surgery for treating spine problems. This enables smaller incisions, tissue-sparing technique, and faster recovery. Many procedures can now be performed as day surgery, allowing you to go home the same day.

My Treatment Philosophy

In spine surgery, precise diagnostics and thoughtful listening to the patient are most important. Every patient has individual needs. Treatment must be planned accordingly. Surgery is not always the best solution - I always carefully assess whether the patient will benefit more from surgery or conservative treatment.

I founded Helsinki Hospital in 2013, where I developed Finland's first day surgery protocol for cervical spine surgery. This innovation has since been adopted by HUS as well. I strongly believe that modern techniques and patient-centered thinking can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

My international experience as a spine surgeon and educator, extensive experience in pain surgery (neuromodulation), and my PhD in neuropharmacology help me form a comprehensive understanding of pain mechanisms and treatment options.