Spine Surgeon for Estero Patients: Nicholas J. Clark, MD at HSS at NCH
Estero sits about 12 to 17 miles north of the HSS at NCH orthopedic office in North Naples, a short drive for residents of the village. Dr. Clark is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon who treats adults with neck, mid-back, and low back conditions. There is no office in Estero; all visits take place at HSS at NCH, 11190 Health Park Blvd, Building 2, Suite 2102, Naples, FL 34110, just south of the Lee County and Collier County line.
Dr. Clark trained in orthopedic surgery at Mayo Clinic and completed a spine surgery fellowship at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. He has practiced in Naples since May 2024. Surgery, when needed, is performed at NCH facilities, where Dr. Clark holds hospital privileges.
Driving From Estero to HSS at NCH
The trip is typically about 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the starting point, the route, and season traffic. Set navigation to 11190 Health Park Blvd, Naples, FL 34110. The office is in Building 2, Suite 2102.
Option 1: I-75 (east Estero and communities near Corkscrew Road)
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Take Corkscrew Road to I-75 (Exit 123) and head south.
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Stay on I-75 South for about 11 miles, past the Bonita Beach Road exit, to Exit 111, Immokalee Road.
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Head west on Immokalee Road for about 2.5 miles to the NCH campus at Health Park Boulevard.
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Continue to Building 2, Suite 2102.
Option 2: US 41 (Coconut Point, The Brooks, and west Estero)
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Take US 41 (Tamiami Trail) south through Bonita Springs, about 10 to 11 miles.
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Turn left (east) onto Immokalee Road and continue about 1 mile to the NCH campus at Health Park Boulevard.
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Continue to Building 2, Suite 2102.
Choosing a route: I-75 is usually the simpler choice from neighborhoods east of US 41 and near Corkscrew Road. US 41 is often the more direct path from Coconut Point and the west side of the village, with more traffic signals through Bonita Springs. Peak season, roughly January through April, adds time on both.
Directions are also on the office information page.
Estero neighborhoods
Patients from The Brooks, Pelican Sound, West Bay Club, Grandezza, and neighborhoods along Corkscrew Road, Estero Parkway, and Three Oaks Parkway generally reach the office by one of the two routes above. The office is also a reasonable drive for patients in San Carlos Park and the Florida Gulf Coast University area.
When Estero Patients Seek a Spine Evaluation
Many Estero residents stay active with golf, tennis, pickleball, cycling, and long walks. Spine problems often show up first as a change in those routines. Common reasons for an evaluation include:
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Leg pain, numbness, or heaviness that shortens a walk or a round of golf, often from lumbar spinal stenosis
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Pain that travels down one leg, from a herniated disc and sciatica or radiculopathy
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Arm pain, tingling, or weakness, from a pinched nerve in the neck (radiculopathy)
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Hand clumsiness, dropped objects, or balance changes, which can signal cervical myelopathy and should be evaluated promptly
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Back pain with a slipped vertebra, from spondylolisthesis
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Persistent symptoms after a prior spine operation, which may call for a revision spine surgery evaluation
Many of these conditions improve with time, activity changes, medication, and therapy. The visit focuses on matching symptoms and the exam to imaging, then deciding whether continued nonoperative care, more testing, or surgery is the safer next step.
How Treatment Is Approached
Nonoperative care comes first whenever it can realistically solve the problem. When surgery is indicated, the goal is the least invasive operation that still completes the job safely.
For the neck, the two main options are anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and cervical total disc replacement, which preserves motion at the treated level for appropriate candidates. The tradeoffs are explained in ACDF vs. cervical disc replacement.
For the low back, options include MIS microdiscectomy, MIS decompression (ULBD laminectomy), synovial cyst excision, pars repair, and, when fusion is needed, MIS TLIF, MIS LLIF, or MIS ALIF. Robotic-assisted guidance is used when it adds precision for hardware placement.
More background: minimally invasive spine surgery, all treatments, and all conditions.
Getting Back to Golf, Tennis, and Pickleball
Return to sport is a frequent question from Estero patients. Timing is planned individually at follow-up visits and depends on the specific operation, how healing progresses, and the written postoperative instructions. Activity guidance is available in the rehab and postoperative protocols, including the lumbar preop exercise program and the cervical home exercise program. Postoperative physical therapy can usually be arranged close to home.
Second Opinions and Outside Imaging
Patients from Estero sometimes arrive with imaging or a surgical recommendation from another practice. Second opinions are welcome. Bringing MRI, CT, or X-ray images (a CD or image-sharing link) along with the reports, plus any prior operative notes, makes the review more complete. A recommendation for surgery elsewhere does not commit a patient to surgery here.
Planning the First Visit
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Complete the patient registration form or call (239) 624-0306.
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Bring imaging and reports, a medication list, and notes about prior therapy or injections.
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Review insurance information.
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Spanish-speaking patients can be seen by Jorge Monje, APRN, who sees patients in English and Spanish.
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If surgery is planned, a driver is needed for the trip home, and driving usually resumes only after narcotic pain medicine is stopped and the patient can brake and turn safely.
About Dr. Clark
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Board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon
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MD, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
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Orthopedic surgery residency, Mayo Clinic
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Spine surgery fellowship, Hospital for Special Surgery
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Practicing in Naples at HSS at NCH since May 2024
Read more, including patient feedback, on the About page, or browse the spine surgery FAQs. Clinicians in Estero can find referral details on the referring physicians page.
Nearby Communities
Schedule a Visit
To request an evaluation with Dr. Clark at HSS at NCH, call surgery scheduling at (239) 624-0306 or complete the patient registration form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dr. Clark have an office in Estero?
No. All visits take place at HSS at NCH, 11190 Health Park Blvd, Building 2, Suite 2102, Naples, FL 34110, in North Naples, about 12 to 17 miles south of Estero.
How long is the drive from Estero?
Typically about 20 to 30 minutes. From the Corkscrew Road area, I-75 south to Exit 111 (Immokalee Road) is usually simplest. From Coconut Point and west Estero, US 41 south to Immokalee Road is often more direct. Peak season traffic adds time.
Where is spine surgery performed?
Surgery is performed at NCH facilities in Naples, where Dr. Clark holds hospital privileges. Many minimally invasive procedures allow a same-day discharge or a one-night stay, depending on the operation.
When can golf, tennis, or pickleball resume after spine surgery?
Timing is individualized. It depends on the operation, healing progress at follow-up visits, and the written postoperative instructions, and it is discussed before and after surgery.
Can an Estero patient get a second opinion with imaging from another practice?
Yes. Second opinions are welcome. Bringing the MRI, CT, or X-ray images and reports, plus any prior operative notes, helps make the review complete.