CSRS ICL – Dec 16, 2018

Marketing blog- csrs icl – Dec 16 2018 – 11-33 AM (1)Download

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2018 LSRS Talk – BMC vs. ICBG

2018 LSRS_BMAC vs ICBG_Gerling


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How to Keep Your Spine Healthy as You Age

Everyone knows that as we age, aches and pains can be a feature of our daily lives.  We move a little more slowly. We move a little (or a lot) less. But the truth is that reducing movement doesn’t prevent the aging of our bodies.

In fact, the converse is true.

The human body was made to move and how to keep your spine healthy as you age, at least in part, is by pursuing an intentional program of maintenance that keeps muscles, ligaments, and bones strong.

You’re in control of your lifestyle

One of the most important things to remember as you age is that you’re in control of your lifestyle.  In an uncertain world, this is a factor you’re directly accountable for.

And personal accountability has plenty to do overall health.  We can, for example, choose to maintain a healthy weight to support a healthier aging process.  Excess weight puts undue stress on every part of your body, including your spine.

Smoking is another lifestyle choice we make.  While it’s an addictive habit, millions of people have quit smoking in the past several decades and you can too.

You can also choose to pursue a program of gentle, spine-supportive movement, like Aquafit, walking, Yoga, or Tai Chi.

Posture and strength

Many people think little about their posture until it’s caused a problem in their spines.  If that describes you, now’s the time to do something about negligent posture which may be putting undue pressure on your vertebrae.

If you spend a lot of time at work in a seated position, you need to ensure that the way you sit is supportive of a healthy spine.  That means not craning your head toward the screen, sitting with your buttocks against the back of the chair (no perching) and engaging your abdominal muscles.  Feet should be flat on the floor, also.

Be sure to get up and stretch at regular intervals to give your body a break.  Being in a static position for extended periods can have a disastrous effect on the health of your spine.

Now’s the time to strengthen your core muscles, as these are the ones that support the structures of the spine.  If you’ve never done a plank, it’s time to learn. This is one of the most efficient exercises in existence for building overall body strength.  

Nutrition, hydration, and sleep

Proper nutrition, adequate hydration, and sufficient sleep are 3 of the most important contributors to spine health.  Eliminating empty calories from your diet and replacing them with foods which are simple and nutritious is a key way to age well.

Hydration, whether you believe it or not, is a huge support to spine health.  Your spinal discs need water to keep your vertebrae from rubbing against each other.  And sleep? Either get yourself a supportive mattress or choose a memory foam mattress pad to support and cushion your body as you sleep.

Need help with an aging spine?  The spine professionals at Spine Care NYC can help.

Contact us!

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Minimally Invasive Robotic Spine Surgery: How the Future of Surgery Has Arrived

The pace of technological change is lightning fast.  No sooner does the “latest thing” arrive on the market than it’s obsolete and we find ourselves joining a throng of people lining up for the new “latest thing”.

And the medical community is similarly challenged to keep up with the pace of change.  Nowhere is this more apparent than in the realm of surgery. With the advent of minimally invasive techniques, we’ve seen a growing demand for this type of procedure.  And now that minimally invasive robotic spine surgery has arrived, these techniques are more finely tuned than ever before.

This post is about minimally invasive robotic spine surgery and how the future of surgery has arrived.  Let’s read about the future that’s with us even as you read.

Numerous advantages

Accuracy – Because of the 3D imaging technology used in robotic spine surgery, precision and accuracy are now greatly enhanced.

Screw placement has traditionally been a challenge in spinal procedures and it’s this factor which led to research efforts to establish imaging which would eliminate the margins of error for this facet of spine surgery.

Minimally invasive – The future is “smaller”, which means incisions used in this style of surgery are no more than a half inch in length.  The shrinking size of instrumentation also allows surgeons to go places they’ve previously been unable to go, especially for those patients with specific anatomical features requiring incredible manual dexterity.  

The smaller incision size used is also responsible for a reduction in complications like infection and complications arising from muscle retraction.  These improvements have led to reduced recovery times, shorter hospital stays and less dependency on opioid pain relievers due to less post-surgical pain.

Reduced surgical time – While there’s some variance of opinion on this point, it’s clear that the patient spends less time on the operating table, so we’re going to say it’s an advantage.

Surgeons require more set up time to prepare the equipment using in minimally invasive robotic spine surgery, but there’s no question that the patient benefits from reduced time spent under anesthesia, due to the more precise nature of the technology involved.

Patients suffering from severe spinal deformities benefit even more from robot spine surgery, due to its ability to transcend the normal manual dexterity and ability to reach difficult areas required of the surgeon.  

But the most promising thing about minimally invasive robotic spine surgery is what we talked about at the very beginning of this post.  The rapid pace of technological change is evolving the sector, refining it and making it even more effective, precise and able to deliver exceptional outcomes for all stakeholders.

At Spine Care NYC, we believe that robotics will guide the future of spine surgery to the point where minimally invasive procedures using the technology will become the norm and not the exception.

At Spine Care NYC, we’re committed to the delivery of excellent care for all patients struggling with spinal conditions and dysfunction. Find out more about the robotics revolution.  Contact us.

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Spring Back to Golf Without Injuring Your Spine

Golf is a sport which seems to increase in popularity every year.  The general perception of the sport is that it’s relatively easy on the body.  There’s none of the impact involved in so many other sports. There’s no need to run anywhere.  It seems reasonably safe, right?

But golf can be tough on your spine.  Just look at golf icon, Tiger Woods and the struggles he’s had with his spine.  It’s a year after he underwent spinal fusion therapy and he’s back with his form returning apace.  Right now, he’s favored to win the Masters, which he hasn’t played since 2015.

Tiger’s struggles could be yours if you’re not vigilant about your spine.  But you can spring back to golf without injuring your spine. Here’s what you need to know.

Golf sneaks up on you

The allure of smacking balls down a green in a bucolic, natural setting draws many people out of their winter lairs in the spring.  But if you’ve been inactive over the winter, you need to take special care.

Golf demands a lot more of your spine than many believe.

Combined with the unnatural stance required by the game, the twisting movements needed to hit the ball in the prescribed manner can be tough on ligaments, muscles, and bones – especially in the spine.

Inexperienced golfers, or those who’ve sat the winter out on the couch, are going to feel it after they’ve gone the Full Monty and played their first 18 holes of the season.

You need to be ready to golf because it’s not as easy as it looks.  The technique, conditioning and warming up prior to attempting a game should all be on the menu to avoid injuring your spine.

Preparation is key

As anxious as you may be to get out on the links, golf requires as much preparation as any other sport.  You need to ensure that your body is ready to perform the movements required and that they won’t come as a shock to a body that’s been sedentary over the winter.

So, your first move is to get yourself in shape.  Your second? Get some coaching. A coach can tell you if your form is putting you at risk for a spine or back injury and correct it.

Prepare your body with specific stretches which address core muscle strength, the stability of the trunk and mobility in the hips.  And don’t forget your cardiovascular capability. Build yourself up with cycling (even a stationary bike), swimming or brisk walking.

Poor mechanics in your swing can be the start of trouble, so make sure you seek out a coach who’s willing to work with you on correcting it.  If you’ve been injured golfing, then it doesn’t hurt to see your doctor and ensure that you’ve healed sufficiently to get back out there.

And whatever you do, warm up thoroughly before picking up that club, paying special attention to your shoulders, neck, and arms.

If you’ve hurt your back golfing, come see us.  We’ll get you back out there!

from SpineCare NYC https://spinecarenyc.com/spring-back-to-golf-without-injuring-your-spine/
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NYC’s Top Robotic Spine Surgeon – Minimally Invasive Techniques

Robotic surgery is changing the face of modern medicine. Since 1985, when a robotics procedure was first used for a neurological operation, the sector has moved forward energetically.  This is especially true for minimally invasive surgery.

As NYC’s top robotic spine surgeon, Dr. Michael Gerling is well-versed in the application of this technology in minimally invasive techniques.

Pairing this leading-edge technology with techniques that offer patients a much lower risk of complications like infection, shorter hospital stays and recovery times is a winning strategy that’s bringing patients exceptional outcomes at Spine Care NYC.

Let’s look at how NYC’s top robotic spine surgeon employs minimally invasive techniques using groundbreaking robotics technology.

Partnering with robots

Robotic surgery doesn’t mean your operation is being performed by a futuristic robot surgeon.  Robotics in this instance is merely a surgical tool, with your surgeon controlling the action of the robot.

Using 3D, high definition imaging, the surgeon guides a robotic arm to achieve the desired result.  This offers enhanced range of motion, allowing the surgeon superior precision and control.

The “arms” used in the technology are fitted with surgical implements and a 3D imaging camera.  At the bedside, the surgeon manipulates the controls from a specially designed console. Without the risks of open surgery and with high definition imagery, the surgeon can achieve with robotic controls what human hands haven’t been able to achieve with nearly as much success.

Well worth the expense

While some may believe that the technology is prohibitively expensive, with high yearly maintenance fees, it’s clear that robotics takes minimally invasive techniques to the next level.  This offers patients already benefiting from the reduced risk and trauma offered by minimally invasive procedures an even keener edge.

Robotics may be costly to introduce to an institutional setting, but surgeons using the technology agree that they offer new frontiers in outcomes for patients, making surgery a less daunting proposition.  

With reduced recovery times, patients can return to work sooner and hospitals are able to release them to return home.  Earlier patient release has an overall revenue neutral effect in terms of outlay for the equipment involved.

Robotic surgery has changed the game for surgeons, patients, and hospitals by improving outcomes.  The initial outlay and maintenance will flatten out over time, as more practitioners become trained to perform surgeries using it and more institutions demand it.

Spine Care NYC

At Spine Care NYC, we’re proud to be home to NYC’s top robotic spine surgeon, Dr. Michael Gerling.  Minimally invasive techniques have already improved outcomes for our patients, but robotics have magnified that effect.

The only way is up for robotics, which means better outcomes for people suffering from spine dysfunction.  

Spine Care NYC coordinates a large team of medical professionals who work together to bring our patients excellent care.  

Where conservative approaches can be employed effectively, we turn to them.  When they don’t offer our patients relief, our team’s knowledge of robotic spine surgery and minimally invasive techniques brings you the most advanced surgical solutions. Contact us.

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When is the Right Time to Consider Scoliosis Surgery?

The title of this post is broad by necessity.  But the answer to the question is multi-faceted and complex.  There are different types and acuities of scoliosis, all governing the response in individual situations.

So, when is the right time to consider scoliosis surgery?  That depends. The three main categories of the condition are idiopathic, congenital and neuromuscular and under all these categories fall a variety of situations, mostly concerned with the needs of the individual patient.  

Let’s take a closer look.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

The most common form of scoliosis seen in children and teens is AIS.  “Idiopathic” means there’s no known cause.

The purpose of surgery for people of this age group is to stop the curvature’s progression, as the patient is still growing.  

Growth spurts influence decision-making in this regard, as curvatures, can increase dramatically during a rapid period of growth.  When the curve is in the thoracic, or mid-back region, surgery may be indicated when the curve reaches an acuity of 45%. Because the rib cage is located here, allowing the curve to progress may cause impingement of organs like the lungs, causing respiratory difficulties.

But at 55%, surgery is probably indicated, even though this is not the case for every patient.  Much depends on symptoms. Also, in cases of AIS, bracing is a preferred option, allowing the patient to stop growing prior to a decision being made about surgical intervention.

Congenital scoliosis

Describing spinal abnormalities seen early in a patient’s life, congenital scoliosis is more likely to be treated surgically, as curvature associated with congenital cases is known to progress rapidly.  This usually prompts a surgical response at an earlier age.

This type of scoliosis is relatively rare, but with the risk of progression, surgical correction is often indicated.

Neuromuscular scoliosis

This variety of scoliosis is often called “secondary scoliosis”, as it’s known to result from a pre-existing condition which has provoked a spinal curvature.  This may be anything from spina bifida to Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy.

As with congenital scoliosis, curvatures progress rapidly.  But it’s important to note that the underlying condition responsible may preclude surgery.  Approaches to this variety of the condition are various and require vigilance by a pediatric specialist team.

For adults

In the case of adults, surgery is usually indicated to stop symptoms of pain.  Scoliosis in adults may be due to degeneration of the spine caused by arthritis, which can be the case of severe pain, attributable to nerve compression.

If weakness and pain are progressive, surgery is usually indicated to help restore patient mobility and quality of life.  

Should successive X-rays show an appreciable progression of the curvature over time, surgery is indicated to stop and correct it.

So, when is it the right time to consider scoliosis surgery?  That’s when both you and your specialist know that you’ve done all you can via conservative solutions. Every curvature is different.  Every patient is different. There’s no simple answer.

Spine Care NYC is committed to tailored solutions for patients with spinal dysfunction. Contact us.

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