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Home > CA Providers > Neurosurgeons

Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD

Accepting New Patients

(440 Ratings)

Specializes in: Physician, Neurosurgery and Spine Surgery

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine

Professional interests include: robotic stereotactic radiosurgery (CyberKnife), spinal deformity, spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra), and more.

400 Parnassus Avenue Eighth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143

(415) 353-7500

Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD is a physician provider in San Francisco, CA specializing in physician, neurosurgery and spine surgery. He graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine. Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD is affiliated with UCSF Health and Neurosurgery at San Francisco Parnassus.

Office Locations

400 Parnassus Avenue Eighth Floor
San Francisco, CA 94143

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400 Parnassus Avenue Floor 8
San Francisco, CA 94143

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400 Parnassus Avenue Suite A2300
San Francisco, CA 94143

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505 Parnassus Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94143

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Some issues Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD can help you with:

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury medicine is a branch of medicine that treats damage to the spinal cord from an injury or a nontraumatic myelopathy, which is any disorder that affects the spinal area. The spinal cord is a section of nerve tissue protected by the vertebrae (spinal bones). Trauma to the spinal cord, typically caused by compression or bent vertebrae, prevents the body and brain from communicating. This can result in pain, loss of sensation, and impaired physical function and movement. Acute spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are a leading cause of permanent disability. Spinal cord injuries may develop from accidents or myelopathies, disorders that provoke spinal compression. Traumatic incidents such as falls, sports injuries, vehicle accidents, and bullet or stab wounds can cause an acute spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury medicine seeks to stabilize the spine and to alleviate the symptoms of spine damage. Practitioners of spinal cord injury medicine are called spinal cord injury specialists. Spinal cord injury medicine is an interdisciplinary field, meaning physicians of various specialties may be trained to treat spinal cord injuries.

Damage to the spinal cord may initially be diagnosed through X-ray, MRI, or CT scans. Patients can also undergo spinal exams to evaluate their sensory ability and strength. Injuries to the spinal cord can be complete (no feeling or sensation) or incomplete (some feeling or sensation remains). Conditions spinal cord injury medicine specialists may treat include:

Paralysis, such as paraplegia (loss of function in the legs), or quadriplegia (loss of function from the neck down)
Spine fracture or trauma, which can lead to impairment and/or significant pain
Spinal infections
Myelopathies, such as herniated disks, spinal tumors, and rheumatoid arthritis
Inflammatory diseases such as ankylosing spondylosis, and degenerative conditions like Lou Gehrig's disease (ALS)

Treatment for spinal cord injuries often involves surgery, either directly after an injury occurs or at a later date. Surgery for spine injuries is intended to ease spinal compression and stabilize the spine. Surgical procedures can involve shifting vertebrae, removing bone, or altering spinal placement with implantable devices. Patients with significant spinal trauma may require urgent surgical intervention.

Surgical treatments can be complemented by rehabilitative physical therapy to improve mobility. Spinal cord injury specialists also treat complications arising from a spinal injury, such as respiratory or bladder conditions. Some patients with spinal cord injuries may require lifelong treatment. Spinal cord injury specialists aim to help these patients successfully adjust and lead an improved quality of life. An emerging treatment for spinal cord injuries is neural prosthetics, which replicate patients' lost nerve function. Neural prostheses may be used as artificial body parts or assistive devices that patients may cognitively control. Other assistive devices include wheelchairs and scooters.

Spinal cord injury specialists may collaborate with physical therapists, radiologists, neurologists, urologists, and orthopedists.

Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure to permanently join together two or more vertebrae, the bones in the spine. Certain spinal disorders can lead to instability and pain, and the idea behind spinal fusion is that fusing vertebrae together can both make them stronger and reduce motion, which can sometimes reduce pain.

There are several different types of spinal fusion surgery available, mostly depending on where a patient's pain is located and whether his or her surgeon will perform the procedure through the back, front, or side. In general, a fusion is performed by packing the vertebrae to be fused with grafted bone. This bone may be taken from the patient's hip, may be donated from a cadaver, or it may be a manufactured synthetic material. The bone is placed along the vertebrae, and sometimes, the disc that lies in between the vertebrae is removed and replaced with grafted bone. The bone material will grow and cement the two vertebrae together. After the bone graft is placed, the vertebrae are sometimes held in place with rods, screws, plates, or cages, depending on the weakness of the spine and needs of the graft.

Spinal fusion is a significant surgery and can take three to four hours or more. Recovery is typically two to four days in the hospital. After surgery, it is important to remember that the fusion takes time to grow from the bone graft. So, the actual fusion is not complete for several months. Patients will probably feel somewhat better right away, but it may take a while to feel the full effects of the fusion as the bone grows into place. In the meantime, doctors might have patients wear a brace to protect their spine and keep it properly aligned.

Spinal fusion is not used for all kinds of back pain. Changing the way the spine moves can lead to strain on the other joints in the back, and fusion is only performed when the benefits outweigh the risks. Some spine disorders that are treated with fusion include:

Curvature disorders, such as scoliosis and kyphosis
Degenerative disc disease
Spondylolisthesis, a disorder that causes vertebrae to slip over each other
Significant spinal fractures that cause instability
Weakened spine due to infection or tumor
Some cases of spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column
Chronic lower back pain (although the use of fusion to treat this is controversial)

Regardless of the diagnosis, there is always a possibility of 'failure' with spinal fusion, or of the surgery not fully solving the pain. This is more likely when fusion is used primarily to treat pain instead of structural problems. Patients can improve their chances of a successful outcome by stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, moving their body every day, and following their doctor's instructions for any physical therapy that they are prescribed.

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2024

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

three-column osteotomy

In 2024, Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD performed more three-column osteotomy (3-COS) procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of providers in related specialties within California.

Top 10%

By Volume:

spine surgery procedures

In 2024, Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD performed more spine surgery procedures procedures for Medicare patients than 90% of providers in related specialties within California.

Top 25%

By Volume:

anterior lumbar interbody fusion

lateral lumbar interbody fusion

lumbar interbody fusion

spinal fusion

In 2012, Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD performed more anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF), lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), lumbar interbody fusion, and spinal fusion procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of providers in related specialties within California.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2012 were spinal procedures, bone surgery, deformity correction and arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	27
bone surgery	40
decompression surgery	12
deformity correction	27
doctor visit	249
nerve procedures	12
spinal procedures	151

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2013 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), bone surgery and neck surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	50
bone surgery	46
decompression surgery	11
doctor visit	243
minimally invasive procedures	16
neck surgery	17
nerve procedures	11
spinal procedures	209

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	118
Female	158

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	237
Black	0
Hispanic	17
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	136
From 75 to 84	69
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2013

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	7
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	22
Dementia	9
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2014 were spinal procedures, bone surgery, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	55
bone surgery	61
doctor visit	287
minimally invasive procedures	16
neck surgery	13
spinal procedures	217

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	117
Female	178

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	242
Black	0
Hispanic	26
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	148
From 75 to 84	73
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2014

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	48
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	19
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	24
Dementia	9
Cancer	8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2015 were spinal procedures, bone surgery, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	50
bone surgery	66
doctor visit	266
minimally invasive procedures	17
neck surgery	15
spinal procedures	203

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	222
Female	336

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	492
Black	0
Hispanic	36
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	310
From 75 to 84	132
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2015

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	5
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	20
Asthma	18
Osteoperosis	22
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	16
Diabetes	26
Dementia	7
Cancer	8

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2016 were spinal procedures, bone surgery, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery) and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	48
bone surgery	79
doctor visit	292
minimally invasive procedures	31
spinal procedures	247

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	102
Female	220

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	274
Black	0
Hispanic	22
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	183
From 75 to 84	69
85 and over	13
Less than 65	57

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2016

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	23
Osteoperosis	24
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	25
Dementia	8
Cancer	9

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2017 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), bone surgery and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	58
bone surgery	55
doctor visit	83
minimally invasive procedures	26
neck surgery	18
spinal procedures	191

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	57
Female	110

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	146
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	86
From 75 to 84	46
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2017

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	50
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	43
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	19
Osteoperosis	32
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	26
Dementia	10
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2018 were spinal procedures, bone surgery, minimally invasive procedures and arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	35
bone surgery	60
doctor visit	14
minimally invasive procedures	35
spinal procedures	159

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	41
Female	63

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	86
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	58
From 75 to 84	28
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	45
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	18
Osteoperosis	34
Atrial Fibrilation	13
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	25
Dementia	12
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2019 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), minimally invasive procedures and bone surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	68
bone surgery	41
decompression surgery	15
doctor visit	33
minimally invasive procedures	43
neck surgery	14
nerve procedures	15
spinal procedures	219

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	64
Female	80

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	116
Black	0
Hispanic	14
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	84
From 75 to 84	37
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2019

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	45
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	18
Osteoperosis	25
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	26
Dementia	11
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2020 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), bone surgery and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	42
bone surgery	31
decompression surgery	13
doctor visit	61
minimally invasive procedures	29
neck surgery	13
nerve procedures	13
spinal procedures	170

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	68
Female	84

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	127
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	95
From 75 to 84	35
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2020

Hypertension	70
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	35
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	25
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	27
Dementia	0
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2021 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), bone surgery and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	63
bone surgery	40
decompression surgery	13
doctor visit	63
minimally invasive procedures	25
neck surgery	20
nerve procedures	13
spinal procedures	195

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	70
Female	96

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	135
Black	0
Hispanic	11
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	76
From 75 to 84	61
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2021

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	29
Atrial Fibrilation	14
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	26
Dementia	11
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2022 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), bone surgery and neck surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	75
bone surgery	29
decompression surgery	21
doctor visit	237
minimally invasive procedures	14
neck surgery	27
nerve procedures	21
spinal procedures	246

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	124
Female	171

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	240
Black	14
Hispanic	20
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	150
From 75 to 84	99
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	14
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	21
Osteoperosis	32
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	25
Dementia	6
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2023 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2023 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), bone surgery and neck surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	41
bone surgery	34
decompression surgery	13
doctor visit	263
neck surgery	18
nerve procedures	13
spinal procedures	184

2023 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	122
Female	192

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	261
Black	12
Hispanic	19
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	157
From 75 to 84	104
85 and over	11
Less than 65	42

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2023

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	22
Osteoperosis	39
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	26
Dementia	5
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2024 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA during 2024 were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), minimally invasive procedures and bone surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	57
bone surgery	21
doctor visit	225
minimally invasive procedures	24
neck surgery	12
spinal procedures	154

2024 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	104
Female	160

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	214
Black	0
Hispanic	21
Asian	0
Other	11
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	141
From 75 to 84	83
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD in 2024

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	9
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	43
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	23
Osteoperosis	37
Atrial Fibrilation	18
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	30
Dementia	4
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2024

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated as a physician provider in San Francisco, CA were spinal procedures, arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery), bone surgery and deformity correction.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	51
bone surgery	46
decompression surgery	14
deformity correction	27
doctor visit	178
minimally invasive procedures	25
neck surgery	16
nerve procedures	14
spinal procedures	195

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2024

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

**Gender**
Male	93
Female	142

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	2
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	197
Hispanic	14
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	64
85 and over	1
Less than 65	7
65 to 74	124

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD From 2012 - 2024

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	4
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	16
Osteoporosis	25
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	23
Atrial Fibrillation	12
Cancer	10
Dementia	7

Education & Training

Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine. He completed residency at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Board certification: Neurological Surgery, American Board of Neurological Surgery and has a state license in California.

Medical School: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), David Geffen School of Medicine

Residency: University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Affiliated Hospitals (2001)

Board Certification: Board certification: Neurological Surgery, American Board of Neurological Surgery

Licensed In: California

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars based on 440 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in San Francisco, CA.

4.8

Overall Rating

(440 Ratings)

Leave a Review

Reviews From Around The Web

Overall Rating: 5.0 2026-06-29

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Again, I was so impressed with the professionalism and the kindness that everyone showed my husband and myself

Overall Rating: 5.0 2025-10-30

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Dr Ames addresses my questions and concerns with detailed and easy to understand answers.

Overall Rating: 5.0 2026-04-15

Patient verified via Press Ganey

Wonderful Dr

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Medtronic, Inc.	$2,365,119 UNID_PASS $402,798	UNiD $261,388	CD HORIZON SPINAL SYSTEM $78,630	STEALTHSTATION S8 PLATFORM $35,017	MAZOR X SYSTEM $28,942	Other $1,558,344
DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.	$1,663,758 EXPEDIUM $1,508,180	SYNAPSE $5,500	Fibulink $4,895	Symphony $3,827	$141,355
Stryker Corporation	$1,276,931 AVIATOR $712,789	Cervical $440,863	THORACO-LUMBAR $39,026	EVEREST Spinal System $25,459	New Product Development $11,446	Other $47,347
Medtronic USA, Inc.	$1,165,223 PASS LP $1,000,000	CD HORIZON $132,315	CATALYST $16,131	VERTEX $2,420	CENTERPIECE $2,400	Other $11,957
Hyhte Holdings Inc.	$816,168 Bridalveil OCT $799,372	$16,795
Other	$2,125,627 EXPEDIUM $750,794	Spine $360,831	Symphony $148,104	aprevo $117,406	AttraX $109,345	Other $639,148

**Types of Payments**
Royalty or License	$7,201,447
Consulting Fee	$1,084,065
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$619,068
Travel and Lodging	$366,094
Acquisitions	$68,638
Other	$73,515

Research Payments

Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD has received 19 research payments totaling $264,254.

Ownership and Interest Payments

This table describes ownership payments received by Dr. Christopher P. Ames, MD.

Prosidyan, Inc	2016	$30,000.00	Physician Covered Recipient	Traditional pro rata ownership interest; no special terms.
Prosidyan, Inc	2021	$25,000.00	Physician Covered Recipient	Traditional pro rata ownership interest; no special terms
Prosidyan, Inc	2020	$25,000.00	Physician Covered Recipient	Traditional pro rata ownership interest; no special terms
Prosidyan, Inc	2018	$25,000.00	Physician Covered Recipient	Traditional pro rata ownership interest; no special terms
Prosidyan, Inc	2017	$20,000.00	Physician Covered Recipient	Traditional pro rata ownership interest; no special terms

Biography

Dr Christopher Ames is a neurosurgeon who specializes in caring for patients with tumors, scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine) and kyphosis (curvature of the upper back). He is recognized by the Chordoma Foundation for his expertise in chordoma (a cancerous tumor that grows along the spine). He also has advanced knowledge of chondrosarcoma (a rare bone cancer that starts in cartilage cells), giant cell tumor (an aggressive, noncancerous tumor), soft tissue sarcoma (cancer affecting connective tissues) and sacral tumors (those affecting the sacrum, a bone at the base of the spine). Ames directs surgery for spinal tumors and spinal deformities at UCSF.