Our Services
The physicians and practitioners at the SOS Spine Center utilize a team approach to diagnosing and caring for a wide range of spinal conditions and injuries. The philosophy in treating patients is that surgery should generally be performed only when all other treatment options have failed to improve the condition, and the least invasive surgical technique possible should be used to ensure a quick and successful recovery. The Spine Center prides itself on quick and easy access to care and have made a commitment to open communication with the patients and to ensuring the all employees are committed to the highest level of customer service.
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Some of the conditions we treat include:
- cervical spine disorders
- lumbar spine disorders
- degenerative disc disease
- herniated disc
- myelopathy
- spinal stenosis
- spinal instability
- spondylolisthesis
- trauma and fractures
- athletic injuries
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Types of surgeries performed include:
- lumbar discectomy
- cervical discectomy and fusion
- transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion
- anterior lumbar interbody fusion
- spinal instrumentation
- minimally invasive surgery
- Kyphoplasty
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Minimally Invasive Surgery
Advances in diagnostic imaging and surgical techniques, instrumentation and equipment have allowed surgeons to address certain conditions of the spine through smaller incisions and with less traumatic approaches than those associated with traditional spinal surgical techniques. The potential benefits of these new "minimally invasive" or "minimal access" techniques include:
- smaller surgical incisions
- less soft tissue disruption and damage to spinal muscles
- less blood loss
- reduced risk of infection
- reduced scarring
- a reduction in post-operative pain
- a shortened hospital stay
- a faster recovery
Minimally invasive techniques may be used to address many pathologic conditions of the spine, including those secondary to degenerative problems, deformity, tumors, infection and trauma. In general, pathologic conditions of the spine can be addressed through anterior, posterior or combined (anterior and posterior) surgical approaches. Advances in minimally invasive surgery have led to improvements with the utilization of each of these approaches. For example, anterior approaches in general can be less invasive with respect to the spine itself as the spinal nerves are not manipulated and the important muscles of the posterior spine are not disturbed. Advances in spinal instrumentation, retractor systems, video technology and instruments have led to further advances in anterior spinal surgery by allowing the utilization of "mini-open" approaches or laparoscopic techniques in certain conditions, combining anterior approaches with minimally invasive posterior instrumentation may allow the benefit of addressing the anterior pathologic condition via the most direct approach, while maximizing spinal stability through the utilization of spinal instrumentation that does not significantly disrupt then posterior spinal musculature. Also, with the appropriate diagnosis and indication, minimally invasive posterior approaches may allow for both anterior and posterior spinal pathology and spinal stability to be addressed through multiple, small, posterior incisions, utilizing special retractor systems and intra-operative fluoroscopic imaging.
Although not all conditions of the spine should or can be addressed by minimally invasive approaches, with the proper indications and applications, these advances may prove to be of great benefit to patients. Combining these techniques with the utilization of biological bone growth enhancers and advanced intra-operative computerized imaging technologies may continue to improve the efficacy, safety and outcomes associated with these advances.
Hospital Affiliations
The spine surgeons at the SOS Spine Center perform the bulk of their surgical cases at Community General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center. The Spine program at Community General Hospital has been ranked as the # 1 program in New York State for the last four years according to Healthgrades. The Orthopedic programs at St. Joseph’s Hospital have also been “Five Star” rated by Healthgrades and the Hospital has received the Magnet designation for the quality of nursing care provided. The SOS Spine center physicians are proud to be affiliated with these high quality institutions and pleased with the care provided to our patients.
HealthGrades is the leading healthcare ratings organization, providing ratings and profiles of hospitals, nursing homes and physicians to consumers, corporations, health plans and hospitals.
| Closed MRI - GE 1.5T High Field MR-A high field system in a comfortable design. This is a patient friendly scanner with a shorter magnet that is flared at the ends for greater openness and easy patient access. |
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| Open MRI - GE .7T High Field Open MR- The most powerful Open MRI in Central New York - the shortest exam times and most detailed images! This scanner combines comfort and speed with high field performance. The spacious opening helps anxious or claustrophobic patients relax with adjustable lighting and music. |
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MRI
SOS provides unique MRI scanning options at our Widewaters Parkway and Camillus locations.
Images of the soft-tissue structures of the body-such as the heart, lungs, live, and other organs-are clearer and more detailed than with other imaging methods. At SOS we frequently use MRI to diagnosis those problems affecting the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, and wrist. The images allow the physician to see very small tears and injuries to ligaments and muscles.
Radiology interpretations are provided by On-Site Board Certified Radiologists.
