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The Montefiore Approach

The Division of Orthopedic Spine Surgery at Montefiore brings together a tremendous breadth of expertise to treat a wide range of spine disorders. In collaboration with the Montefiore Spine Center, we offer patients an array of surgical and non-surgical treatment options, from conventional procedures to minimally invasive and motion-sparing surgeries.

Our fellowship-trained specialists are dedicated to the diagnosis and management of complex spine conditions, including adult spinal deformities, degenerative conditions and disorders of the cervical spine. Whatever the individual treatment strategy might be, our goal is to provide our patients with care that best suits their unique needs.

As an academic medical center, we are constantly striving for innovations in spinal treatment. Our participation in biomechanical, translational and clinical research allows us to explore exciting new methods for the advancement of care within our own health system and beyond.

The experience of our patients and their loved ones—not simply their ailments—demands our full attention. Your dedicated care team will be there to discuss your condition, answer questions, assess treatment options and develop a treatment strategy that is best for you.

Spine conditions can present complex challenges. At Montefiore, we believe successful outcomes are achieved through appropriate treatment selection, careful surgical planning, and meticulous surgical technique.

Using a collaborative multidisciplinary approach, we bring together spine surgeons, anesthesiologists, non-operative spine specialists and rehab medicine physicians to assess and customize a patient-specific treatment plan.

As an academic medical center, we are deeply committed to advancing the science of medicine. Together with our Albert Einstein College of Medicine, one of the highest NIH-funded institutions in the country, we work toward excellence in spine study and care. Our research efforts endeavor to better understand why patients develop spine conditions and, importantly, improve operative and non-operative treatments for these conditions. We routinely present our research findings in both national and international arenas, and we publish our results in well-respected medical journals so that patients everywhere can benefit from what we learn and discover at Montefiore.

Conditions We Treat

Montefiore treats a vast spectrum of conditions, a selection of which are listed below. In addition to these, we have experience treating many other conditions. Please contact us to schedule a consultation to review and discuss your specific healthcare needs.

Some Common Conditions
  • Cervical radiculopathy or myelopathy
  • Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis
  • Degenerative spondylolisthesis
  • Isthmic spondylolosthesis
  • Herniated nucleus pulposis
  • Thoracic myelopathy
  • Adult spinal deformity
  • Scoliosis
  • Kyphosis
  • Spine tumors
Most people will have a minor back problem at one time or another. Our body movements usually do not cause problems, but it's not surprising that symptoms develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or injury. Back problems and injuries often occur during sports or recreational activities, work-related tasks, or home projects.Back pain can cause problems anywhere from the neck to the tailbone (coccyx). The back includes: Read More
Bacterial infections of the spine are rare but can include infection of:Bacteria that infect the spine usually originate in other parts of the body and are carried to the spine through the bloodstream. But bacteria can enter the spine directly during surgery or injection treatments, as the result of injury, or as a result of IV drug use. Read More
The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by round, flat discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. If they become damaged, they may bulge abnormally or break open (rupture), in what is called a herniated or slipped disc. Herniated discs can occur in any part of the spine, but they are most common in the neck (cervical) and lower back (lumbar) spine. The seven vertebrae between the head and the chest make up the cervical spine. A cervical herniated disc usually is caused by wear and tear of the disc. (This is also called disc degeneration.) As we age, our discs lose some of the fluid that helps them stay flexible. A herniated disc also may result from injuries to the spine. These injuries may cause tiny tears or cracks in the outer layer (annulus or capsule) of the disc. The jellylike material (nucleus) inside the disc may be forced out through the tears or cracks in the capsule. This causes the disc to bulge, break open (rupture), or break into fragments. Read More
Sciatica is pain, tingling, or numbness produced by an irritation of the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the lower back. It goes down through the buttock, then its branches extend down the back of the leg to the ankle and foot. The most common cause of sciatica is a bulging or ruptured disc (herniated disc) in the spine. The disc can irritate or press against the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. But sciatica also can be a symptom of other conditions that affect the spine. These can include the narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), bone spurs (small, bony growths that form along joints) caused by arthritis, or nerve root compression (pinched nerve) caused by injury. In rare cases, sciatica can also be caused by conditions that do not involve the spine, such as tumors or pregnancy. Read More
This topic is about spinal stenosis of the lower back, also known as the lumbar area. If you need information on spinal stenosis of the neck, see the topic Cervical Spinal Stenosis.Lumbar spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back, known as the lumbar area. Read More
Spondylolysis is a defect or fracture of one or both of the wing-shaped parts of a vertebra. These "wings" help keep the vertebrae in place. When a "wing" is absent, defective from birth, or damaged, a vertebra can slide forward or backward over the bone below, sometimes pressing on the spinal cord or a nerve root. This slipping, called spondylolisthesis, usually happens at the base of the spine. Symptoms of spondylolisthesis can include back pain and numbness or weakness in one or both legs, sometimes leading to a loss of leg function.Spondylolysis has various causes. A vertebra can be defective from birth (congenital). It can also be broken by trauma or a stress fracture, or broken down by infection or disease. Spondylolisthesis is most commonly seen in children and adolescents involved in athletics. Read More
Spondylosis is age-related change of the bones (vertebrae) and discs of the spine. These changes are often called degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. When this condition is in the neck, it's called cervical spondylosis. These changes don't always cause symptoms. But they are a common cause of spine problems that can range from mild to severe. Read More
Spondylosis is age-related change of the bones (vertebrae) and discs of the spine. These changes are often called degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. When this condition is in the lower back, it's called lumbar spondylosis. These changes don't always cause symptoms. But they are a common cause of spine problems that can range from mild to severe. Read More
This topic is for a people who have a herniated disc in the lower back. If you are looking for information on a herniated disc in the neck, see the topic Cervical Disc Herniation.The bones (vertebrae) that form the spine in your back are cushioned by small, spongy discs. When these discs are healthy, they act as shock absorbers for the spine and keep the spine flexible. But when a disc is damaged, it may bulge or break open. This is called a herniated disc. It may also be called a slipped or ruptured disc. Read More
Scoliosis is a problem with the curve in your spine. Many people have some curve in their spine. But a few people have spines that make a large curve from side to side in the shape of the letter "S" or the letter "C." If this curve is severe, it can cause pain and make breathing difficult.In adults, scoliosis may result from changes in the spine due to aging (degenerative changes). Read More

Our Treatments

Treatment plans are designed to maximize our patients’ oncologic and functional outcomes, returning them to health as quickly as possible. Whenever we can, we employ the use of non-operative treatments. When surgery is needed, we always consider the most conservative approach appropriate. For those seeking further information, we have included a few examples of common procedures that we perform at Montefiore.

Highlighted Treatments

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