Advancements in medicine help relieve spinal deformities
Amid the miracles that have occurred at South Nassau Communities Hospital is the combining of specialized medical technology and skilled neurosurgeons to perform highly delicate procedures that unshackle individuals from lifelong physical restrictions and burdens resulting from traumatic spinal conditions.
According to William Sonstein, MD, a neurosurgeon at South Nassau, it is no longer necessary to accept living with conditions such as:
Scoliosis: an abnormal curvature of the spine.
Kyphosis: an excessive curvature of the spine that leads to a "roundback" deformity.
Spondylolysis: the slippage of one vertebral segment on the other.
Cervical and spinal stenosis: lack of adequate space in the spinal canal for the spinal cord and/or nerve roots.
Herniated disc: degeneration of the disc and/or tearing of soft tissue coating the disc.
"With the improved technology and techniques, there are many surgical interventions that reverse or correct the conditions, dramatically changing the patient's lifestyle and outlook on life," said Dr. Sonstein.
While some spinal deformities can be present at birth or develop during adolescence, they most often result from degeneration during the aging process. As we age, the ligaments of the spine thicken and calcify, bones and joints swell, and osteophytes (known as bone spurs) form. Any of those conditions or a combination of them can cause an area of the spine to fail.
South Nassau and Dr. Sonstein are employing the most advanced surgical technology and a combination of spinal instrumentation and spinal fusion to treat those conditions, as well as kyphosis, scoliosis, spinal stenosis and herniated discs.
Spinal instrumentation includes titanium, titanium-alloy, stainless steel or non-metallic replicas of the parts of the spine that are used to reconstruct the damaged area. Spinal fusion involves implanting bone graft from the patient's pelvis or from another person in the damaged area, promoting the bonding of two opposing bony surfaces.
Generally, the procedures are performed from the back. But, on occasion, it is necessary to perform from the front or from the front and back.
"The goal is to improve the quality of life," Dr Sonstein said, "Following recovery, it will be easier for patients to walk, perform routine motions and participate in life's daily activities with fewer restrictions."
Support for drug and alcohol treatment services
To commemorate September as "National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month," Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services is calling on local communities to join together in an effort to help people with drug and alcohol problems, their families and friends gain access to treatment services in order to recover together in the communities in which they live.
"Recovery Month" celebrates the great strides taken by individuals who have undergone successful treatment and recognizes those in the treatment field who dedicate their lives to helping them.
Among the many services offered by the Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services are:
Drug abuse counseling and referrals.
Group, individual and family therapy.
Therapy and counseling services for children and adolescents.
Psychiatric evaluations and medication management.
Educational, parenting, relapse prevention and symptom management.
Crisis intervention.
Consultation services.
Approved facility for DWI referrals.
For more information about the Community Program and other services available, contact Central Nassau Guidance and Counseling Services. at (516) 822-4060 or visit our at www.centralnassau.org.
Other events and activities
All-day conference for nurses entitled "Focus on Nursing: 2001," that will benefit patients in local institutions, will be held on Thurs., Oct. 11 at the Melville Marriott. For registration call (516) 932-9360... "Hemodynamic Monitoring" is an all-day program for nurses and will be on Sat., Sept., 22 at Nassau University Medical Center in East Meadow. For registration information, call (516) 932-9360... "12 Lead ECG Interpretation" is an 8-week course for nurses that will benefit patients in local institutions, will begin Tues., Sept., 25 at the Heart Council's office, 362-B Broadway Mall, Hicksville. For registration information, call (516) 932-9360... One Healthy Way is a radio program on WHLI (1100 AM) every Sun. at 7:30 a.m. On Sept. 9 the topic will be: "Treating Headaches & Migraines"... American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk takes place on Sun., Oct. 14, 9 a.m. at Jones Beach State Park. The five-mile non-competitive walk is a fun way to get seriously involved. For more information, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
