Meet Han Jo Kim, MD – Neck Pain Treatment Doctor in Westchester
Spine surgery is extremely complex, and Dr. Han Jo Kim, a Neck Pain Treatment Doctor in Westchester, prides himself 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.
Spine surgery is extremely complex, and Dr. Kim prides himself 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.
Dr. Kim believes in a comprehensive approach to patient care. Working with internists, anesthesiologists, neurologists, radiologists, physiatrists and pediatricians, all avenues for alternatives to surgery are explored before surgery is considered. With individual patient goals in mind, if surgery is necessary, he will perform spine surgery utilizing the most effective and safe techniques tailored for each person in an effort to minimize complications, recovery time and optimize outcomes.
Dr Kim has also visited and operated with leading spine surgeons in the US and around the world. He has dedicated his time as a volunteer surgeon at the FOCOS hospital in Ghana, West Africa where he has surgically treated some of the rarest and complex spinal deformities in pediatric and adult patients. The severity of scoliosis he has seen and treated are so rare that the average spine surgeon may only see one to two cases a year. Over the course of his career, he has successfully operated on hundreds of rare and complex spinal deformities.
Currently serving as the Director of the Spine Fellowship, he is also the lead investigator for numerous research studies and has won multiple awards in the national and international arena. He is also actively involved in the education of residents, fellows and physician assistants.
Dr. Kim has authored more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific articles and more than 35 book chapters, including his own textbook which he co-authored with Dr. K. Daniel Riew on cervical spine surgery titled The Riew-Kim Manual for Cervical Spine Surgery. Through the AO Spine Foundation, he has been invited by international leaders in spine surgery to author surgical reference guides that teach other spine surgeons performing scoliosis surgery. He was also selected by the Scoliosis Research Society for the prestigious Edgar G. Dawson Fellowship in 2013 and subsequently was selected for the Scoliosis Research Society Traveling Fellowship in 2017 and has also served as the IMAST Chair in 2020. He is also an active member of the Cervical Spine Research Society.
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 Treatment Doctor in Westchester 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
Recent Blog Posts From Dr. Han Jo Kim – Neck Pain Treatment Doctor in Westchester
Common Causes of Back Pain
There are many causes of back pain such as overuse or even sitting and laying down too much. It is important to have a healthy balance. If you have been unfortunate enough to suffer from a back injury, you should consider reaching out to us, Han Jo Kim MD. He is a Neck Pain Treatment Doctor in Westchester that’s well versed in solving the problems of your own back pain problems.
People often think that an isolated occurrence or injury is to blame for their back problems. But, a single cause usually can’t be pinpointed, preferably there are several underlying conditions that can contribute to pain in the back area.
Common Causes of Back Pain
- Heavy lifting
- Poor sitting posture
- Frequent bending forward
- Old age
- Obesity
Obviously, these are not the only causes of back pain, but they are pretty common among individuals who struggle with this. There are ways to prevent back pain but also it could be genetic and there is no way to prevent, only treat. Dr. Han Jo Kim, a Neck Pain Treatment Doctor in Westchester will be able to treat your pain and help you feel as good as new.
Why Does Pain Occur?
Heavy Lifting
Repeated heavy lifting in awkward or wrong positions can strain your back muscles and spinal ligaments. If you are in poor physical condition, constant heavy lifting can cause muscle spasms that can be painful. If you feel this happening, make sure to rest your back and apply heat and or ice to the pained area. If the pain continues, make sure to call Dr.Han Jo Kim and he will be sure to treat you.
Poor Sitting Posture
Poor posture will not immediately cause pain to your back. But, over time it could cause changes to your spine which will lead to back aching. It could also cause nerve damage because after a while, the pressure on your spine will cause it to move, causing pain.
Frequent bending forward
The worst posture is sitting and leaning forward. This will cause your pelvis to lock and put pressure on the vertebrae. The further you lean forward, the more wear and tear you put on your discs. To prevent this, make sure to try to move around every 20 minutes to stretch out your back. Especially with working from home you have to make sure you get out on your break and move around. That is the best way to prevent these back aches. Learn more here.
Old Age
As we get older the chances for back pain increases. The disks that are between the vertebrae start to rub together causing them to shrink. This will create that back paint that no one is looking for. This pain can be excruciating yet there is no way to prevent it. In addition, over time, the space around our spinal cord gets smaller. This condition, known as spinal stenosis, is known for putting pressure on the cord and spinal nerves, creating pain.
Obesity
Back pain tends to affect about one third of people that are considered obese. When you carry more weight than you’re supposed to, particularly around the midsection, your pelvis will be pulled forward. Every additional pond that you gain will add more strain to your back muscles. Call a Neck Pain Treatment Doctor in Westchester to get treated immediately!
Some At Home Solutions
Try to stretch to strengthen your back muscles. The more flexible you are the more you can move and use your back without feeling that strenuous pain. You can take OTC pain relievers to try and relieve some of the pain. But, if this is going on for a while then I would not recommend taking a pain reliever everyday. It’s not good for you and you will end up building a tolerance and will need more and more of the drug. If your pain is persistent then call Dr. Han Jo Kim and you will be assisted. For more information on ways to treat yourself click here.
Contact Our Neck Pain Treatment Doctor in Westchester
While taking all of the preventative measures listed above and practicing good health, pain may still persist. If this is the case, we urge you to visit our Neck Pain Treatment Doctor in Westchester so that you can get the care you need. We will work to assess your condition and determine a treatment plan that works for you. If you would like your pain to subside, be sure to contact us today!
Do Orthopedic Doctors Treat Scoliosis?
Scoliosis can be an unfortunate condition that, when left untreated, can cause an individual a lot of discomfort. Dr. Han Jo Kim is an experienced Neck Pain Treatment Doctor in Westchester 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 scoliosis doctors in NYC for proper evaluation. They will be able to determine the best course of action for your condition.
Do Orthopedic Doctors Treat Scoliosis?
Each case of scoliosis is unique. Our Neck Pain Treatment Doctor in Westchester specializes 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 scoliosis doctors in NYC 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 Treatment Doctor in Westchester.
Contact Our Neck Pain Treatment Doctor in Westchester
If you are looking for a Neck Pain Treatment Doctor in Westchester, 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.