Orthopaedic Spine Surgery

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Mount Sinai offers state-of-the-art evaluation and treatment of disorders of
the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, specializing in initial evaluations and treatment of disc disease and disc herniations, spinal stenosis, fractures, tumors, inflammatory conditions, myelopathy, radiculopathy, infections, scoliosis, kyphosis, and failed back.

Information for Patients

Diseases/Conditions
Procedures/Treatments
Anatomy
Rehabiliation
Diagnostic Testing
Physicians
Other Resources
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Diseases and Conditions

Working closely with Physiatrists, Physical Therapists, and specialists in Pain Management, the staff offers surgical and non-surgical evaluation and management of many disorders.

Back and Leg Pain (Herniated Disc / Stenosis)
Cervical Kyphosis
Cervical Radiculopathy
Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Compression Fracture
Degenerative Adult Scoliosis
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative Disorders of Cervical and Lumbar Spine
Disc Herniations (Lumbar / Thoracic)
Failed Back
Fractures
Herniated Thoracic Disk
Infections
Inflammatory Conditions
Low Back Pain (overview)
Low Back Pain in Athletes
Lumbar Herniated Disc
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Myelopathy
Neck Pain (Overview)
Neck and Arm Pain (Herniated Disc / Stenosis)
Radiculopathy (Cervical)
Rheumatoid Arthritis of Cervical Spine
Spinal Stenosis (Cervical / Lumbar)
Spondylolysis/Spondylolisthesis
Thoracic Compression Fractures
Tumors

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The Orthopaedic Spine Surgery Program also provides surgical and nonsurgical consultation for second opinions for surgery and Workmen's compensation claims.

The Orthopaedic Spine Surgery Program works closely with non-operative spine specialists including physiatrists, pain management physicians, neurologists, rheumatologists, physical therapists, acupuncturists and chiropractors to maximize non-operative care prior to surgery.

Procedures/Treatments

When indicated, surgical options include discectomy, decompression, and fusion procedures utilizing the most advanced techniques and spinal instrumentation, including minimally invasive spine surgery and microsurgery.

Anterior Cervical Fusion
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion
Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Intervertebral Cages
Cervical Corpectomy and Strut Graft
Laminotomy and Discectomy
Lumbar Laminectomy
Lumbar Spine Surgery
Pedicle Screws and Rods
Possible Complications
Posterior Cervical Fusion
Posterior Cervical Laminectomy
Posterior Lumbar Fusion with Pedicle Screws and Rods
Spinal Injections
Surgical Aftercare

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Anatomy

Anatomy and Function of the Spine
Cervical Spine Anatomy
Lumbar Spine Anatomy
Thoracic Spine Anatomy

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation for Low Back Pain
Rehabilitation of the Cervical Spine

Rehabilitation Center

Spinal Cord Injury Rehabiliation Program

Rehabilitation Services at Mount Sinai

Diagnostic Testing

Diagnostic Tests for Spine Problems include the following:

X-rays
MRI Scans
CAT Scans
Bone Scans
Myelograms
Discograms
Electromyograms
Spinal Taps
Facet Blocks
Laboratory Tests

Radiology Imaging Center at Mount Sinai

Physicians

Andrew C. Hecht, MD, Co-director of Spine Surgery

Dr. Hecht is the Co-director of Spine Surgery at Mount Sinai in the Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopaedics. Dr. Hecht is a graduate of Harvard Medical School, completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Harvard Medical School as well as a trauma fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Hecht completed a Spine Surgery Fellowship at Emory University Spine Center.

Dr. Hecht is the spine surgical consultant to the New York Jets and New York Islanders professional teams, as well as numerous collegiate teams at Hofstra University and Molloy College.

Upon completing his spine fellowship at Emory University Spine Center, Dr. Hecht turned to Boston and joined the faculty at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Most recently, he was the founder and Medical Co-Director of The Newton-Wellesley Spine Center and the Director of the Spine Surgery Fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Dr. Hecht's clinical intersts include cervical and lumbar spine surgery, the evaluation and surgical management of degenerative disorders of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine (such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis), minimally invasive spine surgery, microsurgery, spine trauma and tumors. Dr. Hecht is a nationally recognized leader in spine surgery. He has authored numerous articles and contributed to numerous textbooks in the field of spine surgery. His research has been presented at numerous national meetings. He often serves on the faculty of courses to teach the newest surgical techniques to other spine surgeons. He also serves on the editorial review board of one of the most prestigious spine surgery journals. Dr. Hecht is a member of the North American Spine Society.

His research interests are in cervical and lumbar spine surgery and intervertebral disc biology.

Sean E. McCance, MD, Co-director of Spine Surgery

Dr. McCance is the Co-director of Spine Surgery at Mount Sinai in the Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopaedics. He is a graduate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. Dr. McCance completed a Spine Surgery Fellowship at the Twin Cities Spine Center in Minneapolis.

Board certified in both Orthopaedic Surgery and Spine Surgery, Dr. McCance was recognized as one of the "Best Doctors" for spinal fusion in a national survey by Money Magazine. He was also cited as one of "America's Top Physicians" for 2005. Dr. McCance has authored numerous articles in the field of spine surgery, and has presented his research at both national and international meetings. He is a member of the prestigious Scoliosis Research Society and the North American Spine Society.

Dr. McCance specializes in the surgical treatment of simple and complex spinal disorders including herniated disk of the cervical and lumbar spine, spinal stenosis, scoliosis in children and adults, spinal fracture, tumor and infection. He also has extensive experience in revision spine surgery. His research interests include cervical and lumbar spine disorders, scoliosis, and advanced surgical techniques.

Click here to locate other specialists: Find a Doctor.

Other Resources

At Mount Sinai

Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopaedics

Department of Radiology

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine

Pain Management Program, Department of Anesthesiology

Radiology Imaging Center

Other Resources

All About Back Pain.com

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

North American Spine Society