Comprehensive spinal care in Brooklyn

Spinal problems can develop anywhere in the spine and result in discomfort in the neck, back, or extremities. The Maimonides Spine Center provides exceptional quality of care from diagnosis through treatment and recovery, ensuring a successful outcome for each patient.

We provide comprehensive treatment  to children and adults for routine and complex spine conditions and injuries.  The Spine Center includes a multidisciplinary team of  board-certified neurosurgery and orthopedic spine surgeons, imaging specialists, physical therapists, psychiatrists, and other clinical experts, that keep in constant communication to provide coordinated care. Our specialists consider surgical and nonsurgical options to determine the least invasive and most appropriate treatment for your needs.

What is minimally invasive surgery?

Maimonides is the only hospital in Brooklyn with a Spine Center that offers minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS). MISS uses image-guided tools,  which allows the surgeon more control and precision while performing surgery. Benefits of MISS include minimal scarring, faster recovery time, and reduced need for medication after surgery.

Spinal conditions we treat

We provide outstanding care for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders and diseases to support you from diagnosis to recovery.

The conditions we treat include, but are not limited to:

  • Arthritis of the spine
  • Cervical spinal stenosis
  • Failed back syndrome (FBS) –  chronic pain following back surgeries
  • Herniated disc
  • Kyphosis  – curvature of the spine, causing the back to hunch
  • Lumbar stenosis
  • Radiculopathy  – commonly referred to as pinched nerve
  • Sciatica pain – the largest nerve in the body
  • Scoliosis in children and adults
  • Spinal fractures and trauma
  • Spinal tumors
  • Sports injuries
  • Vertebral compression fractures

Call 718-283-2225 today!

More information on conditions we treat

Cervical spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within the spine and typically affects the neck. Stenosis generally presents with neck pain or stiffness, weakness in the arms, tingling or numbness, loss of reflex function, reduced fine motor skills, difficulty walking, and shooting nerve pain. It’s important to get cervical spinal stenosis diagnosed and treated early, as it can lead to other cervical spine problems.

The root cause of the problem determines treatment for cervical spinal stenosis. Treatment typically includes a combination of activity modification, physical therapy, application of ice and heat, spinal stenosis exercises, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs. However, in extreme cases, some people may need surgery or epidural steroid injections to reduce inflammation.

Herniated discs

A herniated disc is a problem with 1 of the cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spine, which puts pressure on the spinal cord or nearby nerve roots and causes pain.

Herniated discs are often caused by normal aging, as the discs of the spine dry out and become more brittle, but can also be caused by genetics, obesity, spinal trauma or stress, or smoking.

Symptoms of a herniated disc include pain, tingling, muscle weakness or stiffness, muscle spasms, or a feeling of heaviness in the hands and feet. Before we consider surgery as a treatment option, we use holistic treatment approaches including anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and chiropractic care. Physical therapists will also train patients on proper lifting techniques and may have the patient assess ergonomics at work. In some cases, surgery may be required to provide pain relief, prevent permanent nerve damage, and repair the herniated disc.

Lumbar stenosis

Lumbar stenosis is the most common type of spinal stenosis, and symptoms typically come and go, but develop gradually over time. Lumbar stenosis can lead to other health problems if left untreated—that’s why it’s important to see a spine specialist immediately if you’re experiencing symptoms like low back pain, or weakness, numbness, or tingling in 1 or both feet or legs.

Sciatica

Sciatica refers to any pain or neurological symptoms, such as numbness and tingling, resulting from the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down each leg, and symptoms of sciatica can include lower back pain, pain in 1 side of the buttocks or in 1 leg, and tingling, numbness, or weakness of the leg or foot.

Sciatica can be caused by a herniated disc in the lower spine, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis (a slippage of the vertebral body that  can cause back pain and nerve compression), degenerative disc disease, irritation of the sciatic nerve, muscle strain, chronic inflammation around the spine, spinal tumors, and more. For most people, sciatica goes away on its own in a few days or weeks, with minimal or no treatment. For others, the pain and other symptoms persist.

Sciatica specialists generally begin treatment by prescribing nonsurgical sciatica pain treatments, which can include anti-inflammatory medications and alternating heat/ice. People with severe pain may need an epidural steroid injection to help reduce inflammation. Physical therapy and special exercises can help prevent recurring episodes of sciatica. If symptoms persist, surgery is an option.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is an abnormal sideways curvature of the spine, affects all sections of the spine, and is common in adolescents. Cases of mild scoliosis may not require treatment, while more advanced cases require an intervention, such as a custom-made back brace or surgery.

There are various types of scoliosis, such as:

  • Congenital scoliosis – This is the rarest type of scoliosis. It develops in utero, is present at birth, and usually requires surgery to correct
  • Degenerative scoliosis – Occurs later in life as the joints in the spine degenerate
  • Idiopathic scoliosis – Usually starts during adolescence and is the most common form of scoliosis
  • Neuromuscular scoliosis – Develops in some people who cannot walk

In most cases, there are no visible signs of scoliosis (to the untrained eye), and mild cases usually have no symptoms.

Moderate to severe cases can cause pain and other symptoms, including:

  • Alterations while walking
  • Muscle spasms and inflammation
  • Joint problems
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Trouble breathing

The majority of idiopathic scoliosis cases are mild and only require observation. The scoliosis specialist will usually see patients every 4 to 6 months through adolescence until their skeletons are fully developed. Treatment for scoliosis often requires regular bi-annual appointments and wearing a customized back brace, but scoliosis that progresses may require surgery.

Our Spine Center is equipped with the most advanced technical resources, including neurodiagnostics, imaging (CT, MRI), fluoroscopy, electromyography (EMG), and nerve conduction studies

Some of the services we provide include:

  • Diagnostic Imaging: X-ray and Advanced Imaging (MRI/CT SCANS)
  • Disc arthroplasty (artificial disc replacement)
  • EMG
  • Minimally-invasive lumbar fusion
  • Nerve conduction studies
  • Orthopedic and neuro spine surgery
  • Pain management
  • Physical and occupational therapy
  • Revision spinal surgery
  • Scoliosis correction
  • Spinal injections
  • Vertebroplasty

Choose Your
Location