BOARD-CERTIFIED · SPINE SURGEON · CALIFORNIA
a spine surgeon
Spine care, considered carefully. Fellowship-trained at Harvard. Practicing in Santa Barbara, Solvang, and Santa Maria. Surgery only when it's the right answer — explained in plain language until it makes sense.
Advanced spine care. Compassionate approach.
Personalized care
A program built entirely around your biology and goals.
Evidence-based
Treatment paths grounded in current spine surgery research.
Surgery as last resort
Conservative options first. Surgery only when it's the right answer.
Philosophy
Dr. Lomedico believes spine care should be individualized, thoughtful, and focused on long-term outcomes — not simply imaging findings. Her approach emphasizes understanding the whole patient, including movement, bone quality, lifestyle, recovery goals, and overall function, in order to create treatment plans tailored to each person's needs.
Learn More About Dr. Lomedico
Board-certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon
About Dr. Lomedico
A board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon focused on thoughtful, individualized care — built around your goals, your movement, and your long-term recovery.
Dr. Rivka Lomedico is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in the treatment of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine conditions, with a particular focus on restoring function, improving quality of life, and helping patients return to the activities that matter most to them.
Her practice combines surgical expertise with a comprehensive approach to spine care that includes patient education, recovery optimization, bone health, and non-surgical treatment when appropriate.
Conditions
From routine to revision, every diagnosis begins with listening and ends with a plan tailored to your spine, your life.
C1—C7 ·
Cervical
T1—T12 ·
Thoracic
L1—L5 ·
Lumbar
Patient education
Short videos, plain-language articles, and FAQs to help you understand your options before any appointment.
A 5-minute walkthrough of how disc herniation happens, who's at risk, and when it warrants surgical evaluation.
A practical timeline of what to expect in the days, weeks, and months following common spine procedures.
How spine surgeons think about the threshold between conservative care and operative intervention.
Frequently asked questions about bone density, fracture risk, and how bone quality affects spine treatment.
Bone Health
Bone quality shapes fracture risk, surgical outcomes, and long-term spine health. Our bone-health program addresses it head-on.
Watch
Short videos, plain-language articles, and FAQs to help you understand your options before any appointment.
Patient stories
Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google by our patients.
She is a wonderful doctor. She's really nice and polite. She takes the time to explain the problems or issues you are having and how she could help you with them. She also has a very wonderful team that helps you as soon as you walk in the door. With a smile, I definitely recommend her a hundred percent.
Miguel Alvarado
Google review · June 2026
Dr. Lomedico takes her time and explains everything in detail and lets patients make decisions about their own health and treatment options. I really appreciate her insight, support, and encouragement. She is my new Hero!
Ingrid Lawaty
Google review · May 2026
Dr. LoMedico has mastered the art of orthopedic back surgery. She gives advice and options, explains all options very well and worked with my concerns, never pushing one option. She works with you to make you a conscious decision maker. I highly recommend Dr. LoMedico.
Dr. Hugo A. Gonzalez, MD
Google review · May 2026
My visit with Dr. Lomedico was excellent. She listened to my symptoms and background history, tested my legs for strength and looked at MRIs for details. I felt good about the exam.
Lance Crawford
Google review · May 2026
I was so impressed with Dr. Lomedico. She took the time to clearly explain everything to me and answered all my questions. She put me at ease and was so kind and empathetic. The way she approached my case made me feel confident that I was with the right doctor and would get the best possible care. I'm very grateful.
Jennie Reinish
Google review · April 2026
Dr Lomedico was very thorough and explained her findings and plan well with me. I have complete confidence in her skill.
Thomas Golden
Google review · April 2026
Dr. Lomedico was very good at explaining what was causing my pain based on the MRI, CAT scan, X-rays and physical exam. She explained the ensuing treatment process.
Jan Smith
Google review · March 2026
Great experience, got the help and care I needed.
Britni Alleman
Google review · February 2026
I'm very satisfied with the care that Dr. Rivka Lomedico provided me with. I recently got an Intracept procedure performed on my lower back. The pain that I was having before the procedure was excruciating. Now, my pain has gone down significantly. I'm working on getting stronger with physical therapy. I'm very thankful for the continued support I'm receiving.
Laura A. Garcia Diaz
Google review · February 2026
Two friends recommended Dr. Lomedico, so I chose her for treatment to relieve my spine, shoulder and hip pain. On my first visit she listened carefully with concern and upon assessment and X-rays ordered an MRI, pain control & physical therapy. I appreciate her direct professional style. I left feeling that I was in good hands.
Kris Watkins
Google review · February 2026
Best doctor I have seen in a long time. Efficient, knowledgeable and kind. Was a great experience. We need many more like her.
Gordon Wyatt
Google review · January 2026
Always helpful! Proactive and positive!
Ann Howland
Google review · January 2026
Dr. Rivka Lomedico shares information, is very present & is very easy for me to understand. Her solution for me is proving effective. We are almost 2.5 years on our bone health journey.
Kate Stewart
Google review · January 2026
Dr. Lomedico is a sharp, bright, young doctor. I would definitely recommend her.
Joe McCorkell
Google review · December 2025
Dr Lomedico was kind, meticulous and gave my mom an easy explanation of her condition and gave her the medication to help decrease her pain. Very thankful for her attention.
Victor Segura
Google review · December 2025
Thorough, efficient and professional with her knowledge.
Sherry Petersen
Google review · December 2025
Dr. Lomedico listened to my concerns and responded with very helpful suggestions, advice and referrals before my next visit with her. She is very caring.
C Wright
Google review · November 2025
On time and efficiently done. A pleasant office to deal with.
Michael Cleary
Google review · May 2025
Dr Lomedico was efficient and explained my issues in detail. She ordered tests immediately and I felt seen and heard.
Judi Weisbart
Google review · April 2025
Dr. Lomedico & her staff are ALWAYS respectful. Questions are addressed. The patient may ask whatever they need to know.
Carol Ogburn
Google review · June 2024
Schedule a consultation and bring your imaging — we'll review options together.
