Best Spine Surgeon in New York
Get in touch with Dr. Ira and Dr. Marc Chernoff, the Best Spine Surgeons in New York
Ira Chernoff, MD FAAOS
Dr. Ira Chernoff, the Best Spine Surgeon in New York, obtained his BS degree from Long Island University- C.W. Post where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He received his MD degree from the State University of NY at Downstate. He completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at SUNY Stony Brook serving as chief resident in 1987. He went on to complete his Spine fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery. After serving as a spine attendent at Stony Brook University Hospital for over 10 years, he left to pursue private practice. He has been performing complex spine surgery in Long Island for over 27 years.
Dr. Chernoff is Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. He has privileges at hospitals throughout Manhattan and Long Island including Lenox Hill Hospital, Winthrop University Hospital, Mather Hospital, St. Charles Hospital and rehabilitation, Saint Catherine’s hospital, and Northwell / Huntington hospital. Dr. Chernoff enjoys spending his free time with his wife and three children.
Marc Chernoff, MD FAAOS
Dr. Marc Chernoff attended the City University of New York accelerated 7 year BS/MD program at City College where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. He received his MD degree from the State University of NY at Stony Brook in 1993 where he was elected into the AOA Medical Honor Society in his junior year. He completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at SUNY Stony Brook serving as chief resident in 1998. After serving as the Harvard Spine Fellow in Boston, Massachusetts, he moved back to Long Island to join his brother Ira in private practice at New York Orthopaedic Spinal Associates in 1999.
Dr. Chernoff is Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery. He has privileges at hospitals throughout Manhattan and Long Island including Lenox Hill Hospital, Winthrop University Hospital, Mather Hospital, St. Charles Hospital and rehabilitation, Saint Catherine’s hospital, and Northwell / Huntington hospital. Dr. Chernoff enjoys spending his free time with his wife and four daughters.
Back Pain Treatment From The Best Spine Surgeon in New York
Do you contend with a sharp pain in your back? If this occurs frequently then it could be a symptom of a larger problem. Back pain is no small matter if you want to get to the root of the problem, make an appointment with the Best Spine Surgeon in New York at New York Orthopaedic Spinal Associates!
Learn More: What Causes Spinal Pain?
However resilient our body, it is very easy to injure your spine. Common causes of spine pain are:
- Lifting with your back – The best way to lift an object is by lifting with your knees. Lifting with your knees and keeping your back straight will prevent both gradual and sudden injury to the spine.
- Muscle or ligament strain – If you are bending down and jerk up hastily this could affect spinal ligaments and back muscles. These ligaments surround the dura, which is a membrane that protects the spinal cord and its nerves. Damaging this can lead to muscle or ligament strains/spasms.
- Arthritis – Can eventually lead to spinal stenosis this happens when osteoarthritis affects the lower back for too long.
- Skeletal irregularities – Usually does not affect one until they are middle-aged. An example of this is scoliosis, scoliosis is when your spine starts to curve to either the left or right side.
- Osteoporosis – The vertebrae along your spine can become brittle, porous, and sponge-like due to a variety of factors including calcium deficiency.
Symptoms
You do not need a Ph.D. or to go to medical school to know when something doesn’t feel right. You know how you should feel, but if you are not sure whether to contact the Best Spine Surgeon in New York, some common symptoms of spine problems are:
- Stiffness – If you experience limited range of motion due to stiffness, this could be a sign of a variety of spine problems.
- Muscle Spasms – Whether you are standing still or about to do a triple backflip if you feel your muscles spasm then that is a cause for concern.
- Chronic Pain – Pain that is constant and lasts more than two weeks in your back is considered chronic.
- Acute Pain – Pain that occurs when you bend over, walk, stand in your back it not normal.
Treatments
Depending on how severe the pain and your back is treatments vary from simple to surgical treatments. Treatments include:
- Rest – Depending on how bad you have hurt your spine rest could be a simple fix. If you notice after 2-3 days, your condition has not improved, other treatment options may be needed.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Ibuprofen, indomethacin, meloxicam (Mobic), or naproxen
- Corticosteroid shots – Are injections that may help relieve pain and inflammation in a specific area of your body. They’re most commonly injected into joints.
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection – The steroid injection is not a tremendous procedure, it is nothing to be afraid of. If you have lower back pain this will help ease your pain. The pain may start in the lumbar area of the spine or it may start in the tailbone.
It may feel like you cannot go back to living your life as you use to before you had spine pain and you’re right. You cannot go back but you can go forward with new knowledge of how to take care of your spine and back the proper way. Depending on the severity of your situation you may not be able to do the activities you use to do, but if you take proper care of your spine and make changes to help with the healing process then maybe you can go back to enjoying the things you use to do. That’s why you should contact the Best Spine Surgeon in New York.
Common Surgeries – Microdiscectomy Procedure
Microdiscectomy is a procedure to remove lumbar (lower back) herniated disc material that may be putting pressure on the spinal cord or nerve root. The procedure involves the use of a microscope for viewing the nerves. The procedure is usually reserved for patients who do not respond to other means of treatment. Because the spine is such a tricky area, you should seek out the Best Spine Surgeon in New York at New York Orthopaedic Spinal Associates to carry out the procedure.
How does it work?
During the procedure, our Best Spine Surgeon in New York will make a small incision and lift away muscles to access the spine. The surgeon will use minimally invasive instruments and techniques to remove the damaged tissue, relieving pressure on the nerve. Once complete, the surgeon will place the muscles back in their original location and stitch up the incision. The procedure is done in a hospital, usually requiring the patient to stay overnight following the procedure.
Do I need the Best Spine Surgeon in New York?
The most common reason to undergo a microdiscectomy is a herniated disc. The microdiscectomy procedure is most useful in relieving lower back and leg pain resulting from herniation of the lumbar disc. However, you’ll only need to contact a surgeon in extreme cases of pain. Such instances include:
- Leg pain lasting four weeks or more
- No response to other treatment
- Weakness
- Loss of motion
- Pain interferes with normal functions
Risks of Spine Surgery
Microdiscectomy is a generally safe procedure in which complications are rare. However, as with any surgery, there are risks posed by a microdiscectomy. Such risks include but are not limited to:
- Infection
- Nerve root damage
- Dural tear
- Bleeding
- Recurring herniated disc
Choosing the Best Spine Surgeon in New York can greatly help to reduce these risks associated with the microdiscectomy procedure.
Recovery From Spine Surgery
Because the microdiscectomy is a minimally invasive procedure, the recovery is often quick and easy. For the first week or so, it is recommended that patients reduce workload or take time off for recovery. It is also important that patients avoid driving, sitting up for long periods, heavy lifting, and bending following the surgery.
Most patients are expected to stay in the hospital for no more than 24 hours. At the hospital, a physical or occupational therapist will likely come to speak to you about things you can do to speed up your recovery. They will give you instructions on reducing bending, lifting, and twisting of the back to avoid further injury. They may also recommend exercises to help increase flexibility and mobility of the spinal muscles.
At New York Orthopedic Spinal Associates, we provide you with surgeons you can trust to perform even the most complex procedures. Contact us today to learn more about us and how we can help you through your procedure!
Contact us for The Best Spine Surgeon in New York
Stony Brook Office
2500 Nesconset Highway – Building 9
Stony Brook, NY 11790
T: 631-246-6100
F: 631-246-9464
Jericho Office
800 Wodbury Rd – Suite K
Woodbury, NY 11797
T: 516-794-6202
F: 631-246-9464
Riverhead Office
887 Old Country Road – Suite F
Riverhead, NY 11901
T: 631-727-1873
F: 631-246-9464
Hampton Bays Office
186 West Montauk Highway – Suite D6
Hampton Bay, NY 11946
T: 631-723-3700
F: 631-246-9464
Manhattan Office
400 East 54th Street – 1st Floor
New York, NY 10026
T: 645-659-5278
F: 631-246-9464
New York Orthopaedic Spinal Associates can be reached during normal business hours by phone. If you have a medical emergency, please dial 911.
If you have questions about our services, accepted forms of insurance, our facility, or our physicians, please feel free to contact us during normal business hours by phone or use the form below and we will respond typically within one business day.
