Board-Certified · Dual Fellowship-Trained
Accepting New Patients — Reno & Lake Tahoe
Spine Surgeon — Reno & Lake Tahoe
Dr. Joseph Chavarria, MD — board-certified, dual fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon.
Minimally invasive & complex spine surgery for patients across Northern Nevada and the Tahoe region.
Joseph Chavarria, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Reno & Lake Tahoe
Board Certified
American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS)
Dual Fellowship Trained
WVU Spine · Anand Spine Group, Cedars-Sinai
Numerous Publications
Research published in top peer-reviewed spine journals
Minimally Invasive Specialist
Same-day surgery · Less pain · Faster recovery
Training · Certifications · Affiliations
Conditions We Treat
From herniated discs to complex deformity, fractures, and tumors — Dr. Chavarria treats the full spectrum of spinal conditions
Procedures
Dr. Chavarria performs the full range of spine procedures — from outpatient microdiscectomy to complex deformity correction — using minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery
Learn More →ACDF (Anterior Cervical Discectomy & Fusion)
Learn More →Cervical Disc Replacement (Arthroplasty)
Learn More →Posterior Cervical Fusion
Learn More →Cervical Laminoplasty
Learn More →Lumbar Microdiscectomy
Learn More →Laminectomy & Decompression
Learn More →Lumbar Spinal Fusion (TLIF/PLIF)
Learn More →Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)
Learn More →Lateral Approaches (XLIF / LLIF)
Learn More →Lumbar Disc Arthroplasty
Learn More →Adult Deformity & Scoliosis Correction
Learn More →Kyphoplasty
Learn More →SI Joint Fusion
Learn More →Spinal Trauma Surgery
Learn More →Spinal Tumor Surgery
Learn More →Revision Spine Surgery
Learn More →Why Patients Choose Dr. Chavarria
Training, philosophy, and approach — the reasons patients travel from across Northern Nevada and beyond for their spine care.
Conservative-First Philosophy
Surgery is always Dr. Chavarria's last recommendation — not his first. He will honestly assess whether physical therapy, injections, or activity modification can resolve your condition before any surgical discussion begins.
Dual Fellowship Expertise
Most spine surgeons complete one fellowship. Dr. Chavarria completed two — complex spine surgery at West Virginia University, then minimally invasive spine surgery with the Anand Spine Group at Cedars-Sinai — giving him expertise across both ends of the surgical spectrum.
Full Spectrum of Care
From a same-day outpatient microdiscectomy to multi-level adult deformity correction, Dr. Chavarria handles the full range of spine conditions. Complex revision cases and patients who have already had surgery elsewhere are welcome.
Serving Reno, Tahoe & Northern California
Dr. Chavarria cares for patients across both Northern Nevada and Northern California — throughout the Reno–Sparks area, the Carson Valley, and the communities ringing Lake Tahoe, including Truckee, Tahoe City, and South Lake Tahoe. Wherever you are in the region, expert spine care is close to home — no need to travel to San Francisco or Salt Lake City for subspecialty treatment.
Meet Dr. Chavarria
Dr. Joseph Chavarria is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon in Reno, Nevada. A graduate of Baylor College of Medicine and Chief Resident at the University of Colorado, he is one of the few spine surgeons to complete two subspecialty fellowships — complex spine and deformity at West Virginia University, and minimally invasive spine surgery with the Anand Spine Group at Cedars-Sinai.
That dual training means a single surgeon comfortable across the full range of spine care — from motion-preserving cervical disc replacement and outpatient microdiscectomy to multilevel fusion and complex adult deformity correction — and he chooses the least-invasive option that will actually solve the problem.
Dr. Chavarria's philosophy centers on patient education and conservative-first care. He believes that surgery is the right answer for some patients, not all patients — and takes the time to help each patient understand their options and make an informed decision.
Joseph Chavarria, MD
Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
- Board Certified — American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
- Fellowship — West Virginia University (Spine)
- Fellowship — Anand Spine Group, Cedars-Sinai (MIS)
- Serving Reno & Lake Tahoe
- Minimally Invasive Specialist
What Patients Say
Experiences from patients Dr. Chavarria has cared for.
“Never felt in more capable hands. Dr. Chavarria and staff did a thorough job explaining all the ins and outs of both pre and post procedure. Dr. Chavarria and staff were very kind and very accessible. If you are reading this post and have not decided on a surgeon, I recommend Dr. Chavarria.”
Gus
via Google
“Dr. Chavarría is truly great. He's very thorough and informative. Before and after surgery he told me step by step what would happen. Highly recommend!!”
Delia P.
via Google
“Dr. Chavarria was great. He took the time to go over all of the MRIs and other imaging. He came up with a great treatment plan. He referred me to pain management and I am very happy with how things have been going since my visit with him. He has a good bedside manner. I am happy that my PCP referred me to him.”
Traci L.
via Google
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Contact Dr. Chavarria's office to schedule a consultation. Our team will review your imaging and help determine your best path forward.