Imagine you haven’t stood up straight in several years. Your body curls forward, unable to stretch out. You don’t gaze up at the tops of trees. You can’t even walk.
“Just this week I met with a woman in that condition. She’s had previous spine procedures and she hasn’t been able to walk for 5 to 10 years. I’m planning her surgery now. It’s a complex reconstruction that will involve placing cages, removing vertebrae and giving her 60 degrees more curvature that will enable her to walk again,” said Dr. Abe Schlauderaff, neurosurgeon at East Falls Neurosurgery and Spine.
Specialized in aligning hope with solutions
The complexity of such a surgery doesn’t scare Dr. Schlauderaff. He has received specialized and extensive training in minimally invasive and traditional techniques to bring patients options – and hope – for treating a myriad of spinal conditions and deformities. Dr. Schlauderaff and his partner at East Falls Neurosurgery and Spine, Dr. Brandon Kelly, provide comprehensive modern neurosurgical spine care, including care for all spinal deformities and neurological trauma care.
While Dr. Schlauderaff comfortably navigates traditional surgery techniques, he also specializes in minimally invasive methods that provide patients with faster recoveries, less risk of nerve injury, better spine alignment and less blood loss. When appropriate, he even uses a hybrid approach of traditional and minimally invasive techniques for treating spinal deformities.
“Every spine and every surgery is different,” said Dr. Schlauderaff. “I look at the global picture as opposed to just one area in the spine. That means considering structural issues, bone quality, nerve compression, scoliosis curvatures, patient symptoms and patient goals. I also look at all imaging – CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, special scoliosis X-rays, and review bone density/quality studies – and consider all options and approaches before deciding what is best. Every case is tailored to achieve optimal spinal parameters so that patients’ spines are properly aligned and symptom free.”
Close-to-home spine solutions means patients get their lives back
In the past, patients with spinal deformities have traveled out of state to receive such specialized care. Having close-to-home, cutting-edge solutions for spinal deformities changes everything for these patients.
“A bad spine deformity leaves patients in a wheelchair with debilitating pain. To take someone like that and help them have less pain and a better quality of life is extremely gratifying,” Dr. Schlauderaff said. “We have a phenomenal clinic staff, a fantastic hospital neurosurgery team and a compassionate and capable post-op care team. EIRMC even has an inpatient rehab unit within the hospital. So, everything a spine patient needs is right here. It’s quite incredible.”
In addition to treating spinal deformities, Dr. Schlauderaff provides care for back pain, brain and spine trauma, brain tumors, neck pain and all types of spine care.
To schedule with Dr. Schlauderaff, call (208) 522-7572.
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