Spine Doctors NJ - Dr. Han Jo Kim: Spine Surgeon

Meet Han Jo Kim, MD: Spine Doctors NJ

Dr. Kim, spine doctors NJ, Back Pain Specialist NJ, a New York City native, is a Spine Surgeon at HSS, specializing in cervical spine and scoliosis surgery. He earned his medical degree from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He then completed the coveted Hospital for Special Surgery Orthopaedic Residency, followed by a spine fellowship specializing in Adult and Pediatric Scoliosis and Cervical Spine Surgery at Washington University in St. Louis, Barnes Jewish Hospital. He was hired to come back to the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York for his spinal deformity and cervical spine surgery expertise.

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Scoliosis is the abnormal curvature of the spine, such as in the shape of an “S” or “C.” Scoliosis is not too rare and affects around 3% of the population. Most cases of scoliosis are minimal. However, in worse states, surgery may be required. Dr. Han Jo Kim is a specially trained spine surgeon prepared to treat severe scoliosis cases. Our spine doctors NJ will do an initial exam to determine the treatment route and the severity of scoliosis. You or your child’s scoliosis and its symptoms can be relieved by our team.

Types of Scoliosis

The most common type of scoliosis is idiopathic scoliosis, which occurs among 80% of scoliosis patients. Idiopathic means a form of scoliosis with no known cause. Other types of scoliosis include:

Congenital scoliosis- Existent since birth and results from the spine not forming correctly.
Degenerative scoliosis- Arises from the deterioration of the facet joints in the spine.
Neuromuscular scoliosis- Muscle problems in the back, such as cerebral palsy and myelodysplasia, lead to scoliosis.
Nonstructural scoliosis- Only affects lateral curvature without spinal rotation.

Symptoms of Scoliosis

Scoliosis occurs when the spine curves sideways, often during the growth spurt before puberty. If you notice any of the following signs of scoliosis, reach out to our spine doctors NJ:

Uneven hips
Uneven ribs
Uneven shoulders
Uneven shoulder blades
Uneven waist

Risk Factors of Scoliosis

Risk factors for scoliosis include age, sex, and family history. Symptoms of scoliosis typically start just before the start of puberty. Scoliosis is equally common among females and males. However, females are more likely to develop scoliosis with a worse curve, eventually requiring treatment. Family history is also a factor of scoliosis. Although scoliosis can occur randomly, some cases are hereditary.

Effects of Scoliosis

Most cases of scoliosis are mild and do not result in any significant complications. However, with more severe cases of scoliosis, botheration might occur. Some effects scoliosis may have on the body include:

Reduced range of motion
Misaligned walking
Difficulty breathing
Pain
Low self-esteem

Before these problems arise, we recommend seeing our spine doctors NJ to tackle your scoliosis.

Diagnosis At Our Spine Doctors NJ

To diagnose scoliosis or its level of severity, initial consultation with our spine doctors NJ will be required. During this appointment, medical history and questions about recent growth will be asked. The scoliosis patient will be asked to perform Adam’s forward bend test. This test consists of bending forward from the waist with arms hanging down loosely. This will allow our specialist to see the unevenness of the back, rib cage, or shoulder blades. A scoliometer may be used to determine the number of degrees the spine is off. X-rays can also be taken to confirm the diagnosis of scoliosis and determine the number of degrees of the spinal curvature.

Bracing as a Scoliosis Treatment

To treat your scoliosis, several different methods are available. For a spine curve under 20 degrees, there are minimal treatments other than observation. However, for more severe cases of scoliosis, bracing may be advised by our spine doctors NJ. Bracing consists of wearing a back brace to prevent the curve from getting worse, avoiding surgery. The brace can be prescribed until the patient reaches skeletal maturity. The two options for the wearing of a brace include the following and will be determined by our doctor:

Full-time bracing- These braces are worn 16 to 23 hours a day. They are designed to be worn all the time except when bathing and exercising.
Nighttime bracing- These braces use hyper-corrective forces, which put the body out of average balance. They are recommended to be worn for at least 8 hours at night.

Surgery As a Spine Doctors NJ

For more complicated cases of scoliosis, when bracing doesn’t work, surgery may be required. Posterior spinal fusion surgery is performed by our back surgeon to realign and fuse the curved vertebrae. Rods, hooks, screws, or wires are typically used to hold the spine straight. The three purposes of spinal fusion surgery include:

To stop the progression of the curve
To reduce the deformity and straighten
To increase trunk balance

Contact Our Spine Doctors NJ

If you or your child have symptoms of scoliosis, consider our spine doctors NJ. Dr. Han Jo Kim and our team can address scoliosis before it worsens and dampers your life. Call our office to make a consultation appointment today to determine your route to recovery. Contacts us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you today!

No matter what your lifestyle, whether you’re doing some heavy lifting or simply walking around and performing light activities, chances are your back is the one thing that is keeping you going. To be more specific, the spine, which is what keeps you from being all shaky, weak, and ultimately maintains your body so that everything is in the places it should be for optimal performance and function. However, there lies a nasty physical ailment that unfortunately affects countless individuals. This physically dangerous condition is widely known as scoliosis, and it may very well progress over time. It is essential to understand not just the details and background surrounding scoliosis and how treatment has evolved over the years, but also the answer to the commonly asked question by many of those afflicted by it; does scoliosis worsen as you age? At Dr. Han Jo Kim MD, spine doctors NJ, these questions and the nitty-gritty details behind scoliosis will undoubtedly be answered. The spine is our specialty, treatment of scoliosis falling under our duties consistently over the years.

What Is Scoliosis?

Scoliosis is the damaging physical condition of the spine that causes various issues for the muscles closest to it, causing the spine to take a particularly unnatural shape, thereby causing significant discomfort in the region. Scoliosis makes the spine curve, often forming either a “C” shape or an “S” shape. Over time, these conditions may worsen, making the back stick out as if those afflicted are ridden with an awful hunch, causing one side of the spine to protrude outwards much more than the other regions. Scoliosis is unfortunately common among the youth, often spotted during adolescence as the body continues to grow, and point out more details to be spotted for the child. These are found out during scoliosis checks in school gymnasiums or perhaps through another routine check-up at the local medical provider. It is often found in children just before they hit the mark of puberty. Contact our spine doctors NJ today!

Physical Symptoms of Scoliosis

Scoliosis is guilty of affecting the spine regions and other muscles close to it, as previously mentioned. These include the shoulders, the hips, the breasts, the rib cage, even the entire body is susceptible to the dangers of scoliosis. To be more specific, the symptoms are as follows:

A shoulder blade protrudes farther than the other.
The shoulders are uneven.
A breast is elevated more so than the other.
Parts of the rib cage are of varying heights.
Head position is not above the pelvis, where it should be
The entire body is tilting toward a particular side (opposite of where scoliosis originated)
The waist is noticeably uneven.
The skin is developing abnormalities such as hairy patches springing up, dimples, and differences in color that are abnormal and are noticeable.

These are not all of the symptoms that come with every single case of scoliosis, though these are the ones that arise the most and give the earliest signs.

Medical Symptoms

Scoliosis does, in fact, not only affect the physical comfort and appearance of those afflicted, as there are plenty of internal symptoms that must be spotted early on, symptoms that Dr. Han Jo Kim MD, spine doctors NJ treat right away. While the symptoms are primarily of back pain, others may arise, such as difficulty breathing. Difficulty breathing occurs in numerous instances when one has a particularly severe case of scoliosis, often beginning in children before they reach the age of 10 and when the curvature of the spine reaches a particularly alarming threshold.

So, Does it Get Worse With Age?

It varies with every individual, though it is possible that it can worsen. Scoliosis may or may not decline, though it is important to treat it effectively and as soon as possible. A severe curvature of the spine, passing the mark of fifty degrees, can expect to worsen by one or two degrees as the years go on. In some instances, however, the curves never worsen even without proper treatment. Still, it is a detriment to your health. Maintaining your weight and avoiding obesity is one way to treat it and ensure it never worsens, as obesity is long considered to be one of the leading causes of scoliosis (though no one knows the definitive reason as to how it is caused aside from patterns observed by medical professionals). It is never definitively known if it will ever worsen or stay where it is, as it may also vary given the genetics and birth defects of those afflicted, defects such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy, and several other conditions.

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Dr. Han Jo Kim MD, a scoliosis doctor in nyc, knows just how to deal with this unfortunate condition and is always willing to assist you as best as he can. Contact us today. We are located in New York City as well as Uniondale.

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 spine doctors 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 spine doctors NJ 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 spine doctors 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 spine doctors 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 spine doctors NJ.

Contact Us – Dr. Han Jo Kim

If you are looking for spine doctors 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.

Working from home is great, but the fact that you are sitting in front of your computer for hours on end can put a strain on your back. Back pain while working from home is not uncommon and might even be more likely than when you’re at work because there’s no one to tell you to stand up, stretch or take a break. Since back pain symptoms are so common, especially when you spend a lot of time working, it can be difficult to tell if something is wrong. In most cases, the symptoms will go away after a few days and may even be caused by sleeping or sitting in an awkward position. Contact Dr. Han Jo Kim our spine doctors NJ today!

Tips From Our Spine Doctors NJ

Make sure your computer is at eye level since you don’t want to hunch over it all day long. If possible, use a laptop on top of your desk, but make sure it’s not too high up or too far away. Also, use a soft pillow to support your lower back when you’re sitting (don’t wear anything tight around the area).
Take breaks often and make them active by doing some stretches like touching your toes or rotating your ankles clockwise, then anti-clockwise. Do this at least once an hour and if you can, get up at least every two hours to take a short walk outside or go for a quick jog around the house. Also, try not to make any sudden movements with your back because you could cause further damage.
The best way to avoid back pain is by always using proper posture when sitting, standing, and walking; this also applies when you’re working from home. You can do a few exercises to help train your back into good posture habits, such as focusing on squeezing the muscles in your glutes (butt) and abs at all times when standing or sitting down.

Stretches For Back Pain While Working From Home

If you’ve got back pain, it’s important to remember that the exercises you do should not cause further discomfort. If you feel your back is in a bit of pain when doing the stretches below, stop immediately and consult with your doctor.

Stand up tall, keep your knees straight but not locked, don’t bend at the hips, and look straight ahead as you reach for the ceiling with both hands. You should feel a stretch on either side of your back. Hold this for about 15 seconds, then relax and repeat.
Crouch down on the floor with your hands together and knees apart, lean forward so you can feel a stretch along your spine. Once this position becomes uncomfortable, slowly walk your hands out to create more of a stretch in the lower back area. You should feel this deep into either side of your lower back. Hold this for about 30 seconds and repeat once.
Sit on the edge of your seat and slowly lean back while pushing your lower back towards the floor. Hold this for a few seconds of discomfort, then sit up again and relax. You should feel this in either side of your lower back (it’s also meant to get rid of any kinks after you’ve been sitting for a while). Repeat this three times.
Lay down on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Push one knee into the ground at a time while keeping both shoulders flat on the floor. Hold this for 30 seconds before switching to the other leg (keep breathing naturally throughout). You should feel this in your lower back, but don’t go past the pain. Repeat three times.
Stand up tall again, keep your legs straight and lean over to either side from the waist without bending at the hips. You should feel this along both sides of your back. Once you can’t go any further, hold for a few seconds before slowly coming back up to a standing position and relaxing. Repeat three times on each side.

Han Jo Kim – Spine Doctors NJ

Your back is the most important part of your body, and you need to care for it as such. If you’re suffering from bad posture because of working at a desk job, then talk to your employer about switching you to a standing or treadmill desk so that you don’t have any long-term damage. You should also consider investing in a good ergonomic chair if you haven’t already. Remember to stretch your back at least a couple of times a day, not only when you get up from working at the computer but also before going to bed to care for it while sleeping. Visit Dr. Han Jo Kim our spine doctors NJ to learn more about how we can help with your back pain.

What is Scoliosis?

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

Do Orthopedic Doctors Treat Scoliosis?

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 spine doctors 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.