Contact Medical Assistant  

(602) 648-5444 ext. 1147

Hospital Affiliations

Banner Desert Medical Center
Carl T Hayden VA Medical Center
HonorHealth Deer Valley
HonorHealth JCL North Mountain
HonorHealth Shea Medical
HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn
HonorHealth Sonoran Crossing
HonorHealth Thompson Peak
Arizona Specialty Hospital (Formerly OASIS)

About

About Dr. Lara

Dr. Nina Lara is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon with a strong connection to the Arizona medical community. She earned her medical degree from The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix and completed her orthopedic surgery residency at Mayo Clinic in Arizona. Dr. Lara’s desire to learn how to surgically treat the full spectrum of spinal disorders led her to complete her fellowship in minimally invasive and complex spinal disorders at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Dr. Lara believes that each patient’s pain is uniquely different. While there are many issues that back and neck pain have in common, everyone has their own journey. She is passionate about getting to know each of her patients individually and developing a treatment plan together to get them back to doing the activities they love.

She specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery and treats many different conditions of the spine, including adult spinal deformity, degenerative disc disease, disc herniation, sciatica, spinal instability, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, traumatic spine injuries, and more.

In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Lara spends a significant amount of time mentoring aspiring doctors. As a first-generation college graduate, she takes great pride in helping walk others down the road to achieving their dreams.

Conditions Treated

  • Adult spinal deformity
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Disc herniation
  • Sciatica
  • Spinal instability
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Traumatic spine injuries

Surgical Techniques

  • Minimally invasive spine surgery

Education & Training

Medical School
The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix

Residency
Mayo Clinic

Fellowship 
R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center

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rater8 Verified Patient

rater8 Verified Patient

Dec-2024

Very professional, knowledgeable and personable. She is an asset to OrthoArizona and I highly recommend her. She’s very talented and caring. Always thinking of her patients, what is best for them and how she can help them. She is caring and compassionate and goes the extra mile and I highly recommend her. She’s become part of our family.
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Nov-2024

This was a preop visit. The surgery has been performed and I am home from the hospital. To put it mildly, Dr Lara is a superb surgeon who actually takes the time to explain exactly what will happen and why. She makes sure the patient is satisfied. She goes the extra mile that most doctors don’t have, or won’t take the time to do.
rater8 Verified Patient

rater8 Verified Patient

Nov-2024

She is so positive and friendly immediately as she greets you. She is very professional and has a knack for understanding as she listens to me (and my spouse) explain my issues. She then gives you an easy step by step process to help relieve your pain and hopefully, make the next steps easier to accept. Good job Dr. Lara
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Aug-2024

Dr. Lara is an amazing doctor and surgeon! She has made such a difference in my life. I have several spine issues and she has helped me to navigate through them. Her demeanor is calm and reassuring and she has a strong desire to help her patients. I am truly thankful to her for giving me the ability to enjoy my life again.
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Jul-2024

My experience with Dr Lara was great! Even though her specialty is in Orthopedics, she “stepped outside her comfort zone” to take time to research my concerns ( I hadn’t received any “definitive” answers from previous doctors visits). I trust her assessment of my illness and will follow her advice, which by the way was the only sensible answer that I have yet to receive! Thank you Dr Lara
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Jun-2024

Dr. Lara is THE BEST! Her experience shows in her diagnoses and in her explanations of what is going on. In my experience, Dr. Lara took more time than I expected and made an effort to understand my pain. She is very friendly and cheerful--and cute! She doesn't pull punches, but she does make the "medicine go down" in as good a way as possible. I wish she were a GP! Her scribe, Cameron, is great as well!
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Dec-2023

She’s always been a great help in diagnosing pain issues. Verrrrry attentive with great listening skills (ir. Looking directly at my face, not distracted, posture,etc). I would highly recommend her EXCEPT that would probably result in an onslaught of new patients making it difficult to get an appointment. Oh, and she only recommends surgery as an absolute last step and recommends other pathways first.
rater8 Verified Patient

rater8 Verified Patient

Nov-2023

Very nice and knowledgeable. My situation and age, she had a different direction for me to go by. I took her advice and am getting good service. I would gladly tell others about Dr. Lara she was able to get me going in the correct direction. My new doctor is very good and understands what I'm going through. Thanks you Dr. Lara.
rater8 Verified Patient

rater8 Verified Patient

Oct-2023

I can not begin to tell you how happy i am with the level of service and care i have received from Dr. Lara. She has just been a life saver for me. I have felt so defeated for so many years with the treatment i have received by other Drs, but i truly believe she cares about me and my treatment and recuperation. I highly recommend her for any of your ortho needs. My back has some recovery, but i could not have asked for a better outcome, or surgeon.
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Sep-2023

Dr. Lara is very pleasant and takes the time to make sure all your questions are answered. She doesn't make you feel like you're being rushed. She is very knowledgeable and explains everything in great detail. I feel very confident in her to perform the surgery on my back and finally giving me the relief from pain that I'm looking for. I look forward to working with her and her team, who are also very professional, knowledgeable, thorough, and pleasant.
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Sep-2023

Highly recommend Dr. Lara and Ortho Arizona for that matter! ER initially referred me to CORE and after 3 visits, I knew I had to find better providers. What a difference it made. Dr. Lara is very knowledgeable, ordered additional tests I needed, explained my injury in detail and talked about a future plan. The Physical Therapists at Ortho Arizona are also really good. Staff is friendly & helpful. Highly Recommend Dr. Lara and her Team.
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Aug-2023

Dr. Lara is not only an amazing spine surgeon but also a warm personable Dr. She genuinely cares about her patients, is easy to get in touch with and has a wonderful medical assistant Gwen. She got to know me and did the 2 spine surgeries I needed according to my body and lifestyle. I can’t say enough great things about her and her staff.
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Jul-2023

Dr. Lara is an absolute great surgeon and a terrific person! She came into our lives when we in need of answer's, and she stepped right in to work with us! If you ever need sureon, she is the lady that you want on your side! THANK YOU SO .MUCH DR. LARA FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP,, KINDESS AND FOR BEING AN ALL AROUND AMAZING LADY! YOU HAVE DEFINATELY CHOSEN THE RIGHT CAREER FIELD! GOD BLESS YOU, Ken and Caroline Hart!
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Jul-2023

I was quickly placed in a room and didn’t wait long at all for Dr to come in. She took her time answering all our questions and concerns. I feel she listened to all we had to say. She was truthful with us and didn’t sugar coat anything. I appreciated her quick laugh and easy smile or concern. Great bedside manner even at all the hospital visits. Great to work with. I hope I never need more spine surgery, but if I did, I would definitely ask for her as a surgeon again. I loved working with her and her team. Good family!!
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Jun-2023

Dr. Lara has demonstrated to be a confident, knowledgeable member of her medical team. She has the communication skills in order to share information and advice as she demonstrates professional management skills from the beginning of gathering information to making a sound diagnosis and treatment plan.
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Feb-2023

Dr Nina Lara Greatest of all times. I would highly recommend her to friends and family. She preformed a T-Lift surgery on my L4 and L5. Dr. Lara is a great listener and she explained things to were I was able to understand. After setting down with 7 other doctors I was starting to lose hope until I met Dr Lara within 10 minutes of talking to her I know she was the one I wanted to do my surgery. Gwen is awesome and make me feel comfortable at ease with all my concerns. I had the surgery done on Tuesday and I went home Wednesday and I've been walking every day since. Before the surgery I was only able to stand or walk for 10 minutes. This is the most walking I've done in 10 years. Meeting Dr Lara and her team was a blessing for me.
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Dec-2022

Dr Lara and Gwen were both amazing. Gwen was friendly and got me set up very quickly. Dr Lara was very thorough with explanations of what I was seeing while showing me my X-ray and MRI results. She answered all my questions and reassured me with our plan for further treatment. I felt very comfortable and would definitely continue seeing Dr Lara.
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Oct-2022

Dr. Lara are the best! I would highly recommend her, she saved my life! She did a 3 levels ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISCECTOMY AND FUSION on me 3 weeks ago. Felt very comfortable when I met her for the first time, Cervical is a very serious problem and I was very nervous about it but she passed me great confidence that I could trust her from that moment! I got home from surgery on Friday and next day Dr. Lara texted me from her personal cell phone to check how was my recovery! And her medical assistant Gwen helped me through the whole process before surgery! Great team I’m so lucky to have found her! if you are having spine problem and don’t know where to go, trust me go with Dr Lara.
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Jul-2022

Dr. Lara and her team are the very best! Her medical assistant Gwen, front office staff (at both locations) and her surgery scheduler are wonderful too. She did a Microdisectomy on me 2 weeks ago. From the moment I walked into her office the first time I was respected and was confident I could trust her. She and her staff listened to me and helped me through the whole process. I was surprised and so impressed by how efficient and personable everyone was. Dr. Lara even called me on Saturday the day after I got home from the hospital and gave me her cell if I should need anything. I would highly recommend her. I would trust her with any and all spine surgeries.
rater8 Verified Patient

rater8 Verified Patient

May-2022

I was totally blown away by Dr Lara's understanding of my problems. I am SO GRATEFUL for the time she spent and total preparation for my first visit. I have been dealing with a very painful right leg and back injury from condo moving that should have healed a long time ago. I injured it mid Jan this year and have been seen by the VA Hospital ever since with very little if any improvement...more than 3 months. I did a complete physical therapy routine and went to the VA ER 4 times in 5 weeks because the pain was so bad. I could barely walk. This about as serious as it gets and the VA has been very generous in trying to help me...but no healing. Dr. lara told me right off what was muscle, what was nerve injury, and showed me in detail on the various MRI and CT scans the VA had provided. NOW I feel I am in GREAT hands of an expert and look forward to getting back to my life. I have had to turn down 2 jobs because of doctors appts and pain. THANK YOU DR. LARA SINCERLY. JORGE
rater8 Verified Patient

rater8 Verified Patient

Mar-2022

First time seeing her for new pain which we think is from a 2017 fall that resulted in me having an L1 compression fracture. Took her time. Very thorough. Discussed what exercises I should get back to doing. Explained things well and at end of appointment ask me if I had additional questions. I will definitely do 6 weeks follow up appointment with her.
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Dec-2021

Great Dr. - good experience. Inspite of being late she did not hurry through my appt. , took all the time she needed to examine me and review X-ray reports, asked and answered all questions, told me what needed to be done and how we’d get there. Very personable, knowledgeable, and good bed side manner. I would highly recommend.
rater8 Verified Patient

rater8 Verified Patient

Nov-2021

I came to Dr. Lara for a second opinion and left impressed. She listened to my concerns and offered a new perspective on my injury and why I'm still in pain after surgery. I also explained that I need to expedite things due to this being a military line of duty injury case and she was very accommodating with her schedule. I wish I found her in the first place to do my surgery!
Patient Submitted Review

Patient Submitted Review

Oct-2021

Dr. Lara is truly great. She listened and took the time to explain my X-rays. She answered all of my questions with jargon I understood. She never made me feel like she was in a hurry to see her next patient. She is kind and has a wonderful bedside manner. I highly recommend her for any of your spinal needs.
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