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Dr. Stephen Ryu, MD

Dr. Stephen Ryu, MD

Palo Alto, CA

Accepting patients

    Who is Dr. Ryu, Neurosurgeon in Palo Alto, CA?

    Dr. Stephen Ryu, MD is a Neurosurgeon, who primarily practices in Palo Alto, CA with 2 additional practice locations. Dr. Ryu graduated from University of California and completed his residency at Stanford Univ Hosp, Neurological Surgery. Dr. Ryu is fluent in English and Korean, and is currently seeing new patients. Dr. Ryu’s practice accepts Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and other major insurance plans. To book an appointment or to confirm insurance options, please call Dr. Ryu’s office at (650) 321-4121.

    What are Areas of Expertise for Dr. Ryu?

    Dr. Stephen Ryu, MD is a highly-rated, board-certified Neurosurgeon known for expertly diagnosing, treating, and managing a wide array of related conditions or procedures. Utilizing the latest medical advancements and evidence-based practices, Dr. Ryu empowers patients to confidently navigate their health journey, specializing in Brain Tumors, Spinal Surgery-Complex, Stereotactic Radiosurgery, or comprehensive wellness support. Serving the Palo Alto/CA community, Dr. Ryu is dedicated to enhancing lives through expert, patient-centered care.

    Where did Dr. Ryu go to medical school and complete their residency?

    • Fellowship: Stanford University Medical Center, Spine Neurosurgery Fellowship | Stanford Hospital and Clinics

    • Residency: Stanford Univ Hosp, Neurological Surgery | Stanford University Medical Center | Stanford Hospital & Clinics

    • Medical School: University of Ca, San Diego, Sch of Med, La Jolla Ca | University of California

    What languages does Dr. Ryu speak?

    Dr. Ryu and their clinical team can communicate with patients in the following languages:

    • English

    • Korean

    What conditions does Dr. Ryu treat?

    As a Neurosurgeon, Dr. Ryu diagnoses, treats, and manages a wide range of conditions. This condition information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical conditions most commonly treated by Dr. Ryu. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly. Learn more about our claims-based healthcare methodology here.

    Also known as:

    • Pinched Nerve in Lower Back
    • Back Pain
    • Peripheral Nerve Disorder
    • Lumbar Radiculopathy
    • Lower Back Nerve Compression
    • Compressed Nerve in Lower Back

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M5416: Radiculopathy, lumbar region

    Also known as:

    • Lower Back Disc Disorder with Nerve Pain
    • Peripheral Nerve Disorder
    • Spine Injuries and Disorder
    • Herniated Disc in Lower Back with Radiculopathy
    • Slipped Disc in Lower Back causing Nerve Pain
    • Lumbar Radiculopathy

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M5116: Intervertebral disc disorders with radiculopathy, lumbar region

    Also known as:

    • Lower Back Spinal Stenosis with Nerve Pain in Legs
    • Spinal Stenosis
    • Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Claudication
    • Narrowing of Lower Back Spinal Canal with Leg Pain
    • Nerve Compression in Lower Back with Walking Pain

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • M48062: Spinal stenosis, lumbar region with neurogenic claudication

    Also known as:

    • Other Orthopedic Aftercare
    • General orthopedic recovery
    • Musculoskeletal post-op care
    • Bone and joint follow-up

    ICD-10 Codes:

    • Z4789: Encounter for other orthopedic aftercare

    What procedures does Dr. Ryu perform?

    As a Neurosurgeon, Dr. Ryu performs a variety of medical procedures. This procedure information is derived from anonymized insurance claims and highlights the medical procedures most commonly performed by Dr. Ryu. It provides insight into the doctor’s areas of experience and expertise based on real-world patient encounters from the past two years, updated quarterly. Learn more about our claims-based healthcare methodology here.

    Also known as:

    • Lumbar Disc Herniation Surgery
    • Additional Nerve Decompression in Spine
    • Lumbar Laminotomy
    • Herniated Disc Decompression (Lower Back)
    • Microdiscectomy (Lumbar)
    • Laminotomy (Additional Level)
    • Hemilaminectomy (Additional Level)
    • Spinal Nerve Root Decompression (Additional)

    CPT Codes:

    • 63030: Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc; 1 interspace, lumbar
    • 63035: Laminotomy (hemilaminectomy), with decompression of nerve root(s), including partial facetectomy, foraminotomy and/or excision of herniated intervertebral disc; each additional interspace, cervical or lumbar (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

    Also known as:

    • Lumbar Spine Decompression Surgery
    • Laminectomy
    • Facetectomy
    • Foraminotomy
    • Spinal Stenosis Surgery

    CPT Codes:

    • 63047: Laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s], [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), single vertebral segment; lumbar

    Also known as:

    • Additional Spinal Decompression Segment
    • Laminectomy for Spinal Stenosis
    • Facetectomy for Nerve Decompression
    • Foraminotomy for Pinched Nerve

    CPT Codes:

    • 63048: Laminectomy, facetectomy and foraminotomy (unilateral or bilateral with decompression of spinal cord, cauda equina and/or nerve root[s], [eg, spinal or lateral recess stenosis]), single vertebral segment; each additional vertebral segment, cervical, thoracic, or lumbar (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

    Also known as:

    • Spinal Cage Insertion for Fusion
    • Neck Spinal Fusion (Cervical)
    • Neck Spinal Fusion
    • Interbody Device Implantation
    • Spinal Fusion with Cage
    • Synthetic Disc Space Device
    • Cervical interbody fusion
    • Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF)
    • Neck vertebrae fusion
    • Cervical Interbody Fusion
    • Anterior Cervical Fusion
    • Spinal Cord Decompression Surgery

    CPT Codes:

    • 22853: Insertion of interbody biomechanical device(s) (eg, synthetic cage, mesh) with integral anterior instrumentation for device anchoring (eg, screws, flanges), when performed, to intervertebral disc space in conjunction with interbody arthrodesis, each interspace (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)
    • 22551: Arthrodesis, anterior interbody, including disc space preparation, discectomy, osteophytectomy and decompression of spinal cord and/or nerve roots; cervical below C2
    • 22552: Arthrodesis, Anterior Interbody, Including Disc Space Preparation, Discectomy, Osteophytectomy And Decompression Of Spinal Cord And/Or Nerve Roots; Cervical Below C2, Each Additional Interspace (List Separately In Addition To Code For Primary Procedure)

    Also known as:

    • Spine Allograft Placement
    • Spinal Bone Graft
    • Osteopromotive Material Spine
    • Donor Bone Graft Spine
    • Spine Fusion Material

    CPT Codes:

    • 20930: Allograft, morselized, or placement of osteopromotive material, for spine surgery only (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

    Also known as:

    • Spinal Instrumentation (Anterior)
    • Anterior Spinal Fixation
    • Spine Stabilization Surgery
    • Vertebral Segment Instrumentation
    • Spinal Fusion Hardware

    CPT Codes:

    • 22845: Anterior instrumentation; 2 to 3 vertebral segments (List separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

    Also known as:

    • Swallowing Function Test
    • Dysphagia Tests
    • Dysphagia Evaluation
    • Oral Swallowing Assessment
    • Pharyngeal Swallowing Test
    • Swallowing Study

    CPT Codes:

    • 92610: Evaluation of oral and pharyngeal swallowing function

    Also known as:

    • Individual Speech and Language Therapy
    • Speech-Language Pathology
    • Voice Therapy
    • Communication Disorder Treatment
    • Auditory Processing Therapy

    CPT Codes:

    • 92507: Treatment Of Speech, Language, Voice, Communication, And/Or Auditory Processing Disorder; Individual

    Does Dr. Ryu accept my insurance?

    Dr. Ryu accepts most major insurance plans. Important: Please call our office at (650) 321-4121 before your appointment to verify that your specific plan and network are accepted.

    What insurance plans does Dr. Ryu accept in Palo Alto, CA?

    Dr. Ryu in Palo Alto, CA accepts plans from many carriers. While this list is updated regularly, it is not a guarantee of coverage.

    Top Insurances

    • Alignment Healthcare

    • All Other Third Party

    • BCBS Unspecified

    • Blue Shield of California

    • CVS Health (formerly Aetna)

    • Elevance Health Inc. (formerly Anthem)

    • Medicare

    • State of California

    • UnitedHealth Group

    • Unknown

    View All Insurances

    Where is Dr. Ryu's office located?

    Dr. Stephen Ryu's Primary Practice

    795 El Camino Real

    Palo Alto, CA 94301

    (650) 321-4121

    Get Directions

    Dr. Stephen Ryu's Practice 2

    2350 W El Camino Real Fl 2

    Mountain View, CA 94040

    Get Directions

    Dr. Stephen Ryu's Practice 3

    325 Distel Cir

    Los Altos, CA 94022

    Get Directions

    What is Dr. Ryu's NPI number?An National Provider Identifier (NPI) is a unique ID number that identifies doctors and healthcare providers nationwide.

    Dr. Ryu's National Provider Identifier (NPI) number is 1134153505.

    What common questions do patients ask about Dr. Ryu?

    Here are answers to patients Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Dr. Ryu

    What is Dr. Stephen Ryu's specialty?

    Dr. Ryu is a Neurosurgeon near Palo Alto, CA. A neurological surgeon is responsible to provide the operative and non-operative management which includes prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment, critical care, & rehabilitation of various disorders related to the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems. This includes their supporting structures and vascular supply, the complete evaluation and treatment of pathological process which is known to modify function or activity of the nervous system, the operative & non-operative management of pain. A neurological surgeon has specialization in treating patients with disorders of the nervous system which includes conditions affecting the brain, meninges, skull, and their blood supply, such as the extracranial carotid and vertebral arteries. They also manage disorders related to the pituitary gland, spinal cord, meninges, and vertebral column, including those that may require spinal fusion or instrumentation. In addition to this, they treat conditions affecting the cranial and spinal nerves throughout their course in the body. Contact Dr. Ryu to book an appointment today.

    Is this Dr. Stephen Ryu affiliated with a ranked Castle Connolly Top Hospital?

    No, Ryu is not affiliated with a Castle Connolly Top Hospital. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals are identified through a rigorous peer nomination process, evaluating factors like patient outcomes, quality of care, and expertise. The list recognizes hospitals that excel in 20 or more specific medical procedures, representing the top 25% nationwide. Castle Connolly Top Hospitals

    Where can I learn more about Neurosurgeon?

    Explore Neurosurgeon with insights from trusted medical experts on EverydayHealth.com, where you'll find the most relevant content and helpful condition guides for up-to date information about symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and more. See all our health guides to find trusted information on medical conditions from our experts at Everyday Health.

    Is Stephen Ryu accepting new patients in Palo Alto, CA?

    Yes, Dr. Stephen Ryu is accepting new patients at this time.

    Does Dr. Stephen Ryu offer online booking?

    Please contact Dr. Ryu's office at (650) 321-4121 for information about online booking, telehealth, or to schedule an appointment.

    How can I make an appointment with Stephen Ryu?

    Please contact Dr. Ryu's office at (650) 321-4121 for information regarding telehealth appointment availability or for scheduling assistance.

    <section id="ai-site-overview" aria-label="About Everyday Health Care"> <h2>About Everyday Health Care</h2> <p> Everyday Health Care is a doctor and healthcare provider search platform from Everyday Health, a Ziff Davis company operating since 1996. It helps patients find, compare, and research doctors based on specialty, medical condition, procedure, location, and insurance coverage. </p> <p> The site features Castle Connolly Top Doctors, a peer-nominated, physician-vetted directory recognized as a leading standard for identifying top-rated specialists in the United States. Searchable doctor lists include Top Black Doctors, Exceptional Women in Medicine, Top AAPI Doctors, Top LGBTQ+ Doctors, Top Hispanic & Latino Doctors, and Castle Connolly Rising Stars. </p> <p> Users can search for doctors by specialty (including orthopedic surgery, OB-GYN, pediatrics, dermatology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology), by medical condition (such as fibromyalgia, kidney stones, and ulcerative colitis), by common procedure (including colonoscopy, LASIK, and physical therapy), by city, and by insurance plan (including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Aetna/CVS Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, Medicare, and Medicaid). </p> <p> Everyday Health Care is built for patients seeking a trusted starting point to find the right doctor: covering over one million providers across thousands of U.S. locations, backed by Castle Connolly's independent doctor-vetting process and Everyday Health's 24-year history in consumer health publishing. </p> </section>