Meet Han Jo Kim, MD – Neck Pain Specialists NJ

Scoliosis Doctors in NYC

Spine surgery is extremely complex, and Dr. Han Jo Kim and his team of Neck Pain Specialists NJ prides themselves on providing a comprehensive patient care approach when determining treatment options. He believes in having a dynamic approach to surgery and aims to provide the best surgical treatment for each patient based on an individual’s needs, expectations, and lifestyle. He works to help patients explore all other surgery alternatives before recommending patients for surgery.

How Can We Help?

Here at the office of Han Jo Kim, MD, we specialize in treating ailments of the spine. The spine is a crucial structure of the body, which works to offer support while also protecting the nerves that control both movement and feeling. Injuries to this area can be highly detrimental to your health. That is why you need to work with a trusted expert who is well versed in this area of care. Dr. Kim is an expert in this field and will help provide the treatment options necessary to give patients the best chance at making a full recovery.

Cervical Spine Surgery

Patients who decide to work with us here at the office of Dr. Han Jo Kim will receive various treatment options based on the condition you are experiencing.

Dr. Kim is well versed in performing the following procedures:

  • Anterior Cervical Fusion
  • Posterior Cervical Fusion
  • Cervical Disc Replacement
  • Cervical Foraminotomy
  • Cervical Laminoplasty
  • Cervical Laminectomy
  • Cervical Osteotomies

When To Receive Cervical Spine Surgery?

Due to spinal surgery’s extreme invasiveness, this form of treatment should first be considered when all others have failed to deliver the desired results. Our Neck Pain Specialists NJ understand this and will never rush to force a patient to undergo a procedure. However, he also understands that waiting too long to operate can have permanent ramifications on a patient’s health. Those dealing with the below symptoms who have been unable to find relief should seriously consider the surgical approach for healing and recovery:

  • Neck pain.
  • Tingling.
  • Numbness.
  • Weakness.
  • Suspected nerve impingement or damage.

Causes Of Cervical Spine Problems

Several problematic occurrences can cause previously mentioned symptoms and issues. The type of procedure that Dr. Kim administers will depend on the problem currently affecting your neck. Some of the most common problems that can lead to surgery may include:

  • Degenerative disc disorders.
  • Trauma.
  • Instability of the spine.
  • Cervical deformities.

What Takes Place During The Procedure?

Once your neck issue has been diagnosed, Dr. Kim can move forward with the surgery needed to get you back to full health. The process first involves removing the disc, bone, or deformity, that is causing unwanted symptoms to occur. In some cases, the affected vertebrae will be fused to improve the stability of the spine. Bone grafts are performed to achieve this task. However, in some cases, metal plates are also screwed into the vertebrae for further stabilization.  

Getting Scoliosis Surgery

Scoliosis is a spinal condition that typically presents itself in a child during growth spurts that occur right before puberty. Although usually not a significant health concern, this condition can have many problematic results if left untreated. In severe enough cases, surgery will be required to improve the patient’s health. Dr. Kim will walk you through when scoliosis surgery is necessary and what steps are necessary to help complete this process.

Dr. Kim is well versed in performing the following procedures:

  • Spinal Fusion
  • Spinal Tethering
  • Growing Rod Placement
  • Spinal Osteotomies

What Is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. Only about 3% of the adolescent population have scoliosis, and in most cases, they are mild. However, as children grow older, some will find their scoliosis to become more severe. When the spine’s curving is left unchecked, it can reduce the amount of space in one’s chest, causing difficulty breathing. That is why even mild cases need to be closely monitored. Fortunately, the signs and symptoms can be easy to identify. These warnings signs may potentially include the following:

  • Uneven shoulders.
  • One-shoulder blade appears more prominently than the other.
  • An uneven waist.
  • One hip is higher than the other.

Pediatric Scoliosis

As previously stated, scoliosis is a condition that generally occurs right as an adolescent is approaching puberty. It is always best to monitor and correct this condition when it is still a pediatric case. Even if a patient is dealing with a mild pediatric scoliosis case, it can quickly divulge into a much worse problem if left unchecked. As the child grows, the spinal curvature can worsen, making adolescent and adult life a nightmare. That is why our Neck Pain Specialists NJ will likely recommend pediatric scoliosis surgery if we believe the condition will run rampant over time.

Adult Scoliosis 

Not all cases of scoliosis are found during the pediatric stages of life. When scoliosis presents itself or is found after this period, it is known as adult scoliosis. In other words, it takes place after spine growth is complete. There are several causes of adult scoliosis. However, the most common one involves the degeneration of the spine. Issues with the integrity of this structure cause the spine to curve, leading to scoliosis. Although adult scoliosis does not come with many life-altering symptoms and no treatment is necessary, there are times where a surgery will be recommended. If you develop any of the below, an operation will likely be in your future:

  • Leg pain, weakness, or numbness.
  • Loss of height.
  • Uneven alignment of the hips or pelvis.
  • Constant back pain.

The Goals Of Scoliosis Surgery

The primary form of care for treating and managing scoliosis is bracing. Patients wear a back brace to promote the proper spinal growth pattern. However, some patients will find that bracing is not preventing a severe case of scoliosis from occurring. When this is the case, Dr. Kim will likely recommend undergoing surgery. Doing so will potentially help to achieve the below three goals:

  • Stopping the spinal curve’s progression.
  • Reducing the curve (usually by 50% to 70%).
  • Maintain your overall trunk balance.

Types Of Scoliosis Surgery

There are generally three categories of surgery that Dr. Kim may perform. Your condition will be thoroughly assessed before determining which type of operation will be most beneficial to your state. These categories can include:

  • Fusion: Fusing two or more of the vertebrae to grow together at the spinal joint and stopping/limiting spinal curving.
  • Growing systems: This surgical process will involve anchoring surgical rods to the spine to correct/maintain the spine curvature during growth.
  • Fusionless: Fusionless surgery can involve placing screws on the spine’s outer side and then pulling them taut with a cord to straighten the structure.

Spinal Deformity Surgery

The spine is a bony structure that acts as a pillar of support for the rest of the body. It also houses and protects the nerves responsible for movement and sensation. Even slight deformities of the spine can significantly impact your quality of life, which is why they need to be addressed promptly. At Dr. Han Jo Kim’s office, our Neck Pain Specialists NJ understand this and provide patients with the surgery required to aid in the recovery process.

Dr. Kim is well versed in treating the following conditions:

  • Kyphosis or Scoliosis
  • Kyphoscoliosis
  • Flatback Deformity
  • Failed Back Surgery
  • Coronal and Sagittal Plane Imbalance
  • Chin on Chest Deformity

Spinal Deformities Treated

With years of experience at his disposal, Dr. Kim is well versed in treating both common and rare deformities of the spine. After working with the other physicians, you have visited to compile a full picture of your diagnosis, Dr. Kim and our Neck Pain Specialists NJ will determine if surgery is the best option. We may deem this to be the case if you are diagnosed with any of the below conditions:

  • Scoliosis (side-to-side curvature of the spine).
  • Kyphosis (abnormal forward rounding of the spine, usually more than 50 degrees).
  • Lordosis (inward curvature of the spine in the lower back area).
  • Growths, herniated/degenerated discs, and other deformities.

Types Of Spinal Deformity Surgery

The type of surgery administered by Dr. Kim and our Neck Pain Specialists NJ will directly depend on the condition you’re diagnosed with and the symptoms that are presenting themselves. Any of the below can be utilized to help better patient condition:

  • Decompression/Laminectomy: This type of operation involves Dr. Kim removing the lamina, the back part of the vertebrae, to reduce the nerve compression that is causing pain or weakness.
  • Fusion: Fusion involves using a bone graft to connect two vertebrae, restoring spinal height and stability permanently.   
  • Spinal Reconstruction: Complex deformities may require total spinal reconstruction surgery to restore function. This involves using long rods and medical screws to stabilize and straighten out the spine.

Do Orthopedic Doctors Treat Scoliosis?

Neck Pain Specialists NJ

Scoliosis can be an unfortunate condition that, when left untreated, can cause an individual a lot of discomfort. Dr. Han Jo Kim is one of the most experienced Neck Pain Specialists NJ that specializes in scoliosis surgery. We believe that you should not hesitate to seek treatment. To learn more about this condition and how Dr. Kim can help you treat it, contact us today!

What is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is a sideways curvature of the spine. Scoliosis is a very common condition that most often occurs in children during the growth spurt before puberty. Most of the time, scoliosis cases are mild, but sometimes the spine deformities can become more severe as an individual grows. This condition can be very debilitating because a severe spinal curve can reduce the amount of space in your chest, hindering lung function. Some of the most telling signs and symptoms of scoliosis include: 

  • Uneven shoulders. One shoulder blade will typically appear more raised than the other. 
  • Uneven waist. One hip will be higher than the other. 

If the curve worsens, the spine can also twist, which can cause the ribs on one side of the body to stick out. Scoliosis is also found in adults. In many cases, the condition actually starts to develop during childhood, but will be undetected and untreated. Several factors can cause scoliosis in adults. Some of these include trauma to the spine, arthritis, and osteoporosis. If you notice any of these signs of scoliosis, it is a good idea to contact Neck Pain Specialists NJ for proper evaluation. They will be able to determine the best course of action for your condition. 

Treating Scoliosis

Each case of scoliosis is unique. Your Neck Pain Specialists NJ specialize in this condition and will help outline the best course of treatment for you and your lifestyle. There are a few forms of treatment that can be effective in dealing with scoliosis. The treatment you receive will be based on the severity of your condition. These treatments include:

  • Braces: Braces are usually worn during childhood while the individual is still growing. Wearing a brace will not reverse the spinal curve, but it will typically prevent the curve from progressing. The most common type of back brace is plastic and conforms to the patient’s body. It is made to be invisible under clothes and is usually worn both day and night. Once the bones stop growing, braces are discontinued.
  • Surgery: Severe scoliosis progresses over time. Surgery is usually only recommended if nonsurgical treatments were unsuccessful and pain is still an issue. Your Neck Pain Specialists NJ might suggest getting surgery to reduce the spinal curve’s severity and prevent it from worsening. The most common type of scoliosis surgery is called spinal fusion. In this surgery, your surgeon connects two or more vertebrae together so that they can’t move independently. 

Orthopedic doctors can effectively handle scoliosis because orthopedics is the area of medicine specializing in the treatment of bone, joint, nerve, and tissue disorders, including those in the back and spine. To learn more about which course of action is best for your scoliosis, talk to our Neck Pain Specialists NJ. 

Contact Us – Neck Pain Specialists NJ

If you are looking for Neck Pain Specialists NJ, look to the offices of Dr. Han Jo Kim. Dr. Kim is a spine surgeon who specializes in cervical spine and scoliosis surgery. Dr. Kim believes in a comprehensive approach to patient care so each outcome is optimized. If you or a loved one has scoliosis, you should not hesitate to contact us today. We will help you determine if spinal surgery is right for you.