FAQS ABOUT OUR TREATMENTS IN NEW JERSEY & NEW YORK

It’s important to understand that complications can arise with any surgical procedure. A spinal cord stimulation system is a surgically implanted device that sends low-voltage electrical stimulation to the spinal cord or nerves to block pain signals. Some possible risks include:

• Bladder impairment
• Spinal fluid leakage
• Infection
• Scar tissue development
• Pain arising in areas the device can’t reach
• Headaches
• Decreased effectiveness with time
• Hardware failure

IGEA Brain, Spine & Orthopedics’s CyberKnife treatment is used to care for tumors and injuries in the brain, liver, lungs, spine, pancreas and prostate. This highly-advanced procedure combines robotics and image-guided technology to treat benign and malignant tumors with amazing precision. Unlike traditional procedures, CyberKnife Radiosurgery is designed to reach areas in the body that were inaccessible before. Additionally, this noninvasive treatment does away with incisions, blood loss, pain and lengthy recovery periods.

Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA) is a procedure used to break down the clots responsible for causing a stroke. It is administered intravenously and is generally the first form of stroke treatment administered to every patient immediately after their admittance into a hospital. While there is an efficiency period for tPA, IGEA Brain, Spine & Orthopedics offers other effective procedures to help you or your loved ones overcome the troubles of a stroke.

It’s normal to worry about the potential dangers of an invasive procedure, but with today’s technological advancements, minimally invasive surgeries can potentially make your worries a thing of the past. The incisions made during this surgery are generally only centimeters long. Additionally, the highly-advanced instrumentation used in minimally invasive procedures approach the affected area with pinpoint accuracy not available with traditional surgeries. With this state-of-the-art approach, you may benefit with a shortened hospital stay and recovery period, and decreased scarring.

Back surgery can be scary to deal with and we understand your need to know if the procedure works. A recent study conducted by Spine magazine gathered data from 304 patients aged 19-96 who were treated for conditions such as stenosis and degenerative disc disease. The results showed that each patient was thoroughly satisfied with their minimally invasive spine surgery. All patients moved on to a pain-free life and none required follow-up procedures or examinations. It’s important to understand that procedures have different effects on different people, but the proof shows that minimally invasive spinal surgery is highly effective.

Only your physician can provide you with information and advice associated with the risks regarding delaying your surgical procedure. Over time, severe spinal cord or nerve compressions can turn or lead to irreversible damage if neglected. If you experience weakness increases, balance issues, or loss of control of your bladder or bowels, then you should consult a spine specialist before your symptoms progress or worsen.

For a number of years now, minimally invasive spine surgery has been the preferred sought-after form of surgery. Techniques and equipment are constantly advancing and so our surgeons must keep pace with the times. They utilize and implement the latest techniques, tools and technological advancements in an effort to reduce recovery times, as well and improve your quality of life in the least invasive way possible. Not only is minimally invasive surgery safe, but it provides multiple benefits over traditional forms of surgery.

Physical therapy can be a vital aspect to your rehabilitation and recovery. Depending on the individual circumstances surrounding your procedure, your doctor may recommend physical therapy. Most cases typically call for the introduction of a physical therapy program anywhere between two to six weeks following your procedure. This is case-specific and relies on your overall condition as well as the type of surgery you undergo.

Your road to recovery will most likely entail stretching, core strengthening exercises, as well as holding, standing, and sitting positions that correlate to your lifestyle and work requirements.

Typically, minimally invasive spinal surgeries have shorter recovery times in comparison to more traditional open methods of surgery. In some cases, the recovery time from a minimally invasive procedure can be cut in half. It is common for a patient to go home the same day or shortly after minimally invasive spinal surgery. A two to three day stay may be required if you are having one of the various types of lumbar fusion performed.

Many minimally invasive spinal surgeries are performed on an out-patient basis as this field continues to grow. Depending on your condition, your surgery may have to be performed on an in-patient basis as it will require the use of more traditional open surgery (for instances such as spinal tumor removal or severe scoliosis). Prior to surgery, your surgeon will thoroughly explain your procedure options.

If you are experiencing neurological difficulties that are worsening over time, become dysfunctional or conservative methods like therapy have failed, then you may want to consider surgery. Typically, surgery is the last resort in a line of treatments for conditions of the spine, neck or back. Your decision to have surgery is specific to your condition, symptoms and your level of function. If several non-operative or minimally invasive treatments have been ineffective, or your condition becomes progressively worse, then surgery may be your next step.