Meet Dr. Frazier: Top Spine Surgeon & Back Pain Doc in NYC & NJ
The spine is one of the most important structures in the entire body. It serves as a neural highway, with nerves branching out to a myriad of different places. It’s one of the few parts of the body where one problem existing in a specific place can have effects across the entire system. So, when we run into naturally occurring medical conditions involving the spine, there’s a decent chance that your doctor will need to tackle your case with a complex, multi-faceted approach. After all, anything less than comprehensive may result in treatment failure and a slew of potential complications.
Armed with this knowledge, you’re probably thinking that when it comes to your body, you want the highest level of medical care available. Because of course, you don’t want to contend with failed back surgery syndrome. But who is the best? Who can you trust to enhance your quality of life?
Surely, there are plenty of good options out there. Medicine has come a long way in the last 50 years, after all. But, not every surgeon has your best interest at heart. While we can’t vouch for everyone, we can confirm that Dr. Daveed Frazier is one of the best spine specialists around.
But, what makes Dr. Frazier so special? For one, he’s a Harvard-trained, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon in New York with over a decade of veteran experience in performing state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgical procedures. After completing his internship at New England Deaconess Hospital, he followed up with a Harvard combined residency before eventually becoming the chief resident at Massachusetts General Hospital.
We’re talking about someone with a high level of compassion, backed by a long-standing portfolio packed full of credentials and pertinent experience. If there is any doctor you can trust, it’s Dr. Daveed Frazier.
Do I Need a Spine Surgeon?
This is a pretty broad question and the answer depends heavily on the nature of your case. Generally speaking, doctors will always try to exhaust every conservative treatment available before considering something more drastic such as surgery—even if it’s only a minimally invasive procedure. After all, if your doctor can resolve your case without surgery, then that’s great. That’s what you want. But sometimes, this is not always an option.
You might be wondering, what is considered conservative treatment? Generally, we’re talking about options such as physical therapy exercises, over-the-counter medication, and in some cases, steroid injections. Basically, conservative treatments include any pain interventions that don’t involve going under the knife. Whether the surgery is minimally invasive or a traditional open-back procedure doesn’t matter. Surgery is surgery.
If conservative treatments prove to be ineffective for a period of two weeks or more, then it might be time to consider surgery. Thankfully, there have been many advancements in modern medicine that have made most surgical procedures less invasive. That being said, some patients may still require traditional open-back surgery depending on the nature of their case. It just depends on how bad the problem is and how many areas of the body are affected.
For more information, it is extremely important that you maintain an open dialogue with your general physician or spine specialist. They will be able to suggest more specific options that are actually viable forms of treatment for your individual case. In an article such as this, we can only provide general examples of regularly performed procedures that doctors use to treat common ailments of the spine.
I Need Surgery. What Are My Options?
Again, your options will vary depending upon the kind of problem that you have. That being said, here are some common examples of minimally invasive procedures that specialists perform on a regular basis:
- Spinal Decompression: If you have spinal stenosis, this may be the procedure for you. Spinal stenosis describes a scenario in which the vertebral canal narrows over a period of time. This may cause painful symptoms if the newfound lack of space infringes upon nearby nerve endings or structures. Spinal decompression procedures seek to create new space by removing problematic bones or soft tissues that apply pressure on nearby nerves or the spinal canal itself.
- Discectomy: Our spinal discs consist of a hard outer shell with a softer inner nucleus. This allows them to act as shock absorbers in between the bones of the spine. Unfortunately, over time, the outer shell may crack, allowing the softer inner nucleus to leak out and apply pressure on nearby nerve endings. To remedy this, a discectomy endeavors to remove the herniated disc through small incisions and endoscopic guidance.
- Laminectomy: Sometimes, the lamina—a bone located on the back part of the vertebra that covers your spinal cord—can be removed to reduce pressure caused by bony overgrowths within the spinal canal. Removing the lamina creates more space for both your spinal cord and nearby adjacent nerve endings. Sometimes, your doctor will utilize this procedure to help treat herniated discs.
- Spinal Fusion: Sometimes, to restore spinal stability, the best thing your doctor can do is to fuse two vertebrae together. This form of treatment is highly effective in cases that involve scoliosis, as the scoliotic curves are correctable through interbody fusion. Essentially, you can straighten out the spine through fusion if you play your cards right. Fusion is also a viable treatment option for spondylolisthesis.
Contact Us
Have you been experiencing debilitating back pain for a period of two weeks or more? Have conservative treatment options been ineffective in treating your negative symptoms? If so, please contact our office at (855) 210-0899. Dr. Daveed Frazier is a leading spine specialist in New York who is well-versed in the most state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgical procedures. You can rest assured that he and his team will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive a treatment care plan that suits the specific needs of your individual case. Don’t let your negative symptoms take control of your life. For more information, contact us today!