orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY

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 orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY 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 orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY 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. Your orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY 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 orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY 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 orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY. 

Contact Us

If you are looking for an orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY, 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.

How Can Orthopedic Spine Surgery Westchester NY Help You?

Everyone experiences some back pain, and it can occur at any time. There are many different ways to get hurt, and it can take days to weeks for you to fully recover. Preventing back pain from occurring isn’t hard at all. Just remember to practice good posture and be cautious in the way that you perform your daily activities. Dr. Han Jo Kim, an orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY, is here to assist you in living a pain-free life. Contact us today to see about how we can help with your back pain!

What Are The Signs Of Scoliosis?

Causes of Scoliosis: 

Scoliosis is a very common condition that causes a sideways curvature of the spine. The condition typically occurs during growth spurts just prior to puberty. If you feel you may have scoliosis, you should check with Dr. Han Jo Kim who offers orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY. He is an educated professional located in the NYC area that specializes in correcting scoliosis in patients. 

The Mayo Clinic states that the most common cause of scoliosis remains to be unknown. Researchers feel it may involve hereditary factors; considering it seems to appear commonly in families. Less common types of scoliosis can result from neuromuscular conditions. For example, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Birth defects that may have occurred during the development of the spine and injuries to the spine are believed to be a factor that results in this condition. 

What are Signs of Scoliosis?

Besides the most common sign of scoliosis; leaning while you stand, there are a large number of other signs/ symptoms. Some of the most common signs are: 

  • A visible curve in back
  • Shoulders, waist, and hip can look uneven
  • One shoulder bald may look bigger than the other side
  • Ribs stick out on one side of the body 

Not only are there visible symptoms to scoliosis, but there are physical ones as well. Someone suffering from scoliosis is commonly affected by back stiffness and lower back pain. Scoliosis can result in pinched nerves; leading to numbness in one’s legs. Lastly, fatigue is a common sign of scoliosis as well due to muscle strains. If you are experiencing any of these signs you should definitely contact Dr. Han Jo Kim, offering exceptional orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY. 

Many children are checked for scoliosis at their annual pediatrician visits. This is done by the child leaning over from the waist, so the doctor can check for a curve. The doctor will most likely prescribe an x-ray or MRI to confirm a diagnosis.  

Treatment

Most commonly, children with scoliosis will wear a brace on a daily basis. The brace will not cure this condition or fix previous damage. Instead, it prevents the spine from curving anymore than it already has. The braces are worn both day and night; and are also contoured to fit each child’s body perfectly. The brace is worn until the child completes puberty, and will not grow anymore. 

If the severity of the scoliosis is high, a doctor will probably recommend surgery. The surgery will allow the severity of the curve in the spine to be stopped. The most common type of scoliosis surgery is known as a spinal fusion. The spinal fusion is one of Dr. Han Jo Kim’s most well mastered surgeries he performs on his scoliosis patients. 

Risk Factors

Research shows some risk factors that can increase one’s chances of having this condition. 

  • Age: Signs typically arise right before puberty 
  • Gender: Both males and females develop this condition at the same rate; females have a higher risk of the curve worsening 
  • Family history: Can run in the family

Give Us A Call Today

Dr. Han Jo Kim also provides a section on his website that allows you to read reviews from his past patients. All of the patients had a great experience with him and wanted to share their stories. The stories range from spine revision surgery to spine fusion, and of course scoliosis. 

You should take a look at these stories and see how they relate to you. It may allow you to feel more comfortable and confident about your condition. Reading about others who may have had the same condition as you, and overcame many obstacles will definitely help. After seeing how  Dr. Han Jo Kim’s patients thrived after treatment/surgery, you will feel less fearful of any treatments you plan on receiving in the future. 

Contact Us For Orthopedic Spine Surgery Westchester NY!

If you suffer from any of these symptoms or have any questions about treatment; feel free to contact Dr. Han Jo Kim. Dr. Han Jo Kim has offices located on Long Island and NYC. His main focus for all of his patients to recover fully from all their spine ailments, and feel better than ever. The services he specializes in are cervical spine surgery, scoliosis surgery, and spinal deformity surgery. Besides excelling in all of those areas, one can see that he has won multiple awards since 2005 on his website as well. His office accepts a large variety of different insurances; to help provide  aid and treatment to as many patients as he can. Contact us today!


What Makes Your Lower Back Hurt?

Back Pain Doctor on Long Island

Unfortunately, a large portion of the population experiences lower back pain at some point. The lower back is a point of extreme pressure and weight from the rest of the body. If you have an injury on your body, it can travel to the back and cause issues. Dr. Han Jo Kim is a spine surgeon committed to treating all varieties of back pain. If you are experiencing back pain, we recommend visiting a orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY. 

Lower Back Pains Symptoms

Lower Back Pain can be excruciating and indicate a more severe problem than just pain. It is essential to understand the different pain symptoms associated with back pain to know what to explain to your orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY. Here are a few of the most common symptoms of lower back problems:

  • Pain that travels to the lower extremities: Lower back pain can travel down to your thighs, feet, and legs and cause more pain overall. Typically this type of pain is a sharp, numbing, or tingling pain generally associated with a nerve problem. 
  • Dull aching lower back pain: This pain is more of a dull, constant pain than sharp, burning pain. This dull pain can also bring along more symptoms such as muscle spasms and limited mobility in the back. This pain likely doesn’t travel to other body parts as it is more localized to the lower back. 
  • Pain that usually is only present at the beginning of the day: This type of pain is likely excruciating when you wake up in the morning; however, it relieves itself once you get up and move around throughout the day. Limited movement after sleeping for a long time means there is not as much blood moving around throughout the body, which can cause pain.
  • Pain that is increased/decreased depending on your positioning: Some pain can be associated with specific postures or positionings. For example, when someone is standing straight up, they may experience severe pain. However, the pain may be relieved by leaning on something.

The different types of pain are likely associated with other lower back pain causes. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can cause back pain. The best way to address your back pain is to see a orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY. A doctor will ensure you get the proper treatment for the symptoms you are experiencing. Don’t let your back pain go unaddressed, as it can impact your mobility and quality of life. 

Lower Back Pain Causes

Lower back pain can be a symptom of many different conditions and problems. Unfortunately, the only way to be sure of a particular diagnosis is to use imaging and a doctor’s expertise. Understanding your diagnosis can help you get the best treatment possible and make a full recovery. Here are a few examples of different lower back pain causes: 

  • Sprains and Strains: It is possible to sprain a ligament or strain a muscle in your back. It can cause severe pain depending on the extent of the sprain. These injuries can occur through lifting heavy objects with your back instead of legs, poor posture, and playing sports. Typically this pain does not last a long time; however, it is crucial to give your back rest if this is causing your pain. 
  • Herniated Disc: There are “jelly” like cushions that separate the vertebrae throughout your back. These cushions help maintain mobility and protection throughout the back. These discs can break and leak due to overuse or an injury. The inside of these discs can cause inflammation in the back and can impact the back nerves, resulting in severe pain. 
  • Joint Dysfunction: Joints throughout the back are prone to injury. If inflammation occurs around these joints, you will likely experience severe pain as these joints are essential to everyday movement. 
  • Tumors: While this is less common, tumors in the back are a possible cause of lower back pain. Tumors likely spread from other body areas to the spine, causing the pain. These tumors can grow and cause pressure on different areas of the back. 

Diagnosis/Treatment

We strongly recommend you visit a orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY for any back pain you may have. No one should have to live their life suffering from extreme pain, especially in such an essential part of the body. Your back is vital to your movement and completion of daily activities. At a doctor’s office, they will likely address your family history of back pain. They will also likely perform a physical exam of some sort. A physical exam can include different body movements and identifying where/when there is pain. A doctor will also recommend diagnostic imaging! For example, a doctor typically starts with an X-ray to determine if there are any bone abnormalities. They may choose to send you for more detailed imaging, such as an MRI or CT scan. 

Finally, doctors will recommend treatment options to relieve your back pain. Treatment can consist of rest, medication, and heat/ice on the impacted area. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to correct the issue causing severe pain. 

Contact Our Orthopedic Spine Surgery Westchester NY

Dr. Han Jo Kim and his team are ready to help you get ahold of your back pain today. We specialize in spine surgery and are equipped with the expertise and tools to relieve your pain. Contact our office if your back pain is impacting your daily life. We will get you back to feeling better in no time as Dr. Han Jo Kim is a orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY. 

back pain specialist in NYC

Lower back pain is a recurring issue among many people. Back pain can result from an underlying condition or can occur due to repetitive motions. Our back pain specialist in NYC recommends doing daily stretches and exercises to relieve your back of its pain. Some stretches that our specialist may recommend performing includes the child’s pose, the knee-to-chest stretch, the piriformis stretch, and the cat-cow stretch. Dr. Han Jo Kim can help you alleviate back pain because he specializes in treating back pain and injuries.

Stretching Your Back With Our Back Pain Specialist in NYC

When stretching your back it is important to do so with caution and resist overstretching. Especially if you have an underlying illness or injury, be mindful of your limits. Follow these tips to get the most out of stretching your back:

  • Wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely.
  • Do not force your body into any positions that are too painful.
  • Move into your stretches slowly to avoid straining.
  • Use a clean, flat surface to perform your stretches on.
  • Stretch one side of your body at a time.
  • Be aware of your breathing.
  • Do what feels best for your body. 

Reach out to our back pain specialist in NYC if you have any questions or concerns about your back pain. We would be happy to help you soothe your pain and other symptoms.

Child’s Pose 

The child’s pose is one pose that you can do to stretch your back and its muscles. It is a traditional yoga pose used to relieve pain from the upper body. It also stretches the gluteus maximus, thigh muscles, and spinal extensors. This pose benefits your back because it loosens tight lower back muscles. Follow these steps to achieve the child’s pose accurately:

  1. Sit on your heels with your knees touching the ground.
  2. Bend at the hips as you reach forward with your hands.
  3. Allow your stomach to touch your thighs.
  4. Hold this position for one minute and remember to be conscious of your slow breathing.

Knee-To-Chest Stretch

Another pose that you can perform to stretch your back is the knee-to-chest stretch. While stretching you lower back, the pose also allows your hips, thighs, and glutes to relax. You can complete the knee-to-chest position by following these few steps:

  1. Lie on the ground with both feet straight out in front of you.
  2. Grab your right knee and pull your leg into your chest with your hands on your shinbone.
  3. Avoid lifting your hips to feel the stretch.
  4. Hold this pose for one minute and then repeat with the other leg.

Piriformis Stretch

The piriformis stretch is a stretch our orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY suggests. The piriformis muscle is located deep in your buttocks. Stretching this muscle through the piriformis stretch can help loosen your lower back. Follow these steps to accomplish the pose:

  1. Place both feet on the floor and bend your knees while laying down.
  2. Put your right ankle on top of your left thigh.
  3. Put your hands underneath your left thigh and pull it in close to your chest.
  4. Hold this position for one minute. Remember to switch sides afterward.

Cat-Cow Stretch

The cat-cow is a stretch is another great stretch our orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY recommends for your back. It allows your spine to open up, as well as your shoulders, neck, and check. To achieve the cat-cow stretch, follow these steps:

  1. Get down on your hands and knees to create a table top position.
  2. As you slowly inhale, press into your hands and feet while looking forward.
  3. While you exhale, tuck your chin in and arch your back upwards.
  4. Continue switching between these positions as you inhale and exhale.
  5. Perform this stretch for around two minutes.

Sphinx Stretch

One last stretch that can reduce back pain is the sphinx stretch. The sphinx stretch consists of a slight backbend to strengthen your back, buttocks, and chest. The sphinx stretch is composed of the following steps:

  1. Lie on your stomach with your arms at a 90-degree angle. Your elbows should be directly under your shoulders with your hands in front of you. 
  2. Lift your head and chest upwards while keeping your abdominals and lower back strong. 
  3. Gaze straight ahead while holding this pose for one minute.

Contact Our Orthopedic Spine Surgery Westchester NY Today!

If you require a orthopedic spine surgery Westchester NY to help soothe your back pain, then we recommend Dr. Han Jo Kim for the job. He is specially trained to work on all types of back and spinal complications. Contact us if you want to make an appointment with our specialist or have any questions.