Doctor’s Corner – Presentations & Seminars
The Center for Spinal Disorders
Innovations in Spine Lecture
Dr. Lewin spoke at an education seminar in Astoria, NY on May 9th discussing the latest innovations in spine surgery, particularly the minimally invasive approaches offered at the Center for Spinal Disorders. The seminar was held at Cavo Astoria in Astoria, NY to an audience of neurologists, physical therapist and primary care physicians.
Englewood Hospital Lecture for Orthopedic Surgeons
Dr. Lewin presented to Lawrence I. Livingston, MD, Chief of Orthopedics at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center joined by leading orthopedic surgeons in the area at Englewood Hospital this morning regarding the latest innovations in spine surgery.
Dr. Lewin Grand Rounds
On May 14th, Dr. Jonathan Lewin will be conducting Grand Rounds beginning at 7:30 am in Conference Room G, Library, Englewood Hospital. Grand Rounds consist of the presentation of medical conditions and treatments of various patients to an audience made up of doctors, residents and medical students. Grand rounds are an essential teaching technique in medical education and patient care.
Englewood Spine Expert Puts An End To Spinal Myths
Dr. Jonathan Lewin and The Center for Spinal Disorders Answer Real Questions About Back and Neck Pain for Residents
Englewood, NJ- February 1, 2013– Back pain is one of the most confusing and frustrating ailments a patient can suffer. Recent studies have shown that over 80% of Americans will suffer chronic back or neck pain during their lives. With so many treatments available, from holistic medicines to surgical procedures, sufferers often have a difficult time separating effective therapies from snake oil promises. Recently, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon and spine expert, Dr. Jonathan Lewin has embarked on a mission to educate patients in an effort to allow them to make the best possible decisions for their individual conditions.
As part of this mission, Dr. Lewin will be holding a NO COST Educational Seminar and NO COST MRI Review for those with chronic back, neck pain and Sciatica. This event will be held at The Center for Spinal Disorders on March 21st at 7pm. Those with chronic ailments and questions are encouraged to bring their MRI, CT or X-rays for expert review. Dr. Jonathan Lewin will also field questions about chronic back and neck issues as well as dispel rumors and myths about treatments and cures.
Attendees will also be able to hear first hand from patients who have undergone spinal procedures and share their experiences.
Attendance for this event is limited.
Refreshments will also be served.
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About Dr. Jonathan Lewin
Dr. Jonathan Lewin is a Board Certified Orthopedic Spine Surgeon as well as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Dr. Lewin is the Medical Director for The Center for Spinal Disorders in Englewood, NJ. In 1993 he graduated from Albert Einstein College of Medicine with his Doctorate in Medicine. Between 1994 and 1998, Dr. Lewin completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the Montefiore Medical Center.
Following his residency, he also completed his Pediatric and Adult Medicine Surgery Fellowship at the Shriner’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Temple University Hospital, Cooper University, and Jefferson University Hospital. He is currently a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is the Director of Spine Surgery at North Shore University Hospital in Forest Hills, New York.
Hospital Affiliations:
- Englewood Hospital
- Holy Name Hospital
- Beth Israel Surgery Center
- North Shore Forest Hills Hospital
Grand Rounds
Past Events
Dr. Lewin presented on Innovations in Spinal Disorders at Holy Name Hospital on February 15, 2011 at 9 a.m.
We enjoyed seeing you there. Thank you for showing interest.
Look for future CME activity presented by The Center for Spinal Disorders
Submission for MD360 Holy Name Magazine
January 20, 2012
A New Back Joint Discovered?
As orthopedic practitioners and family care practitioners we are all aware of the prevalence of low back complaints in society. Some studies report that low back pain is the most common complaint overall seen in a family practice or an internal medicine setting in the musculoskeletal sphere. Often, these cases will resolve with physical therapy or perhaps some pain management and steroidal anti-inflammatories. Occasionally these cases will go on to need the help of an orthopedic spine surgeon for operative spine conditions.
According to some published data up to 25% of low back complaints may actually not be related to the lumbar spine itself but rather to the sacroiliac joint. The sacroiliac joint is a joint which connects the bottom of the spine, or the sacrum, to the iliac wing, the lateral aspect of the pelvis. This is a joint which has long been recognized by rehabilitation medicine doctors as being a potential source of pain. More recently, spinal surgeons and orthopedic doctors are recognizing that it may actually be the source of many of the lumbosacral complaints that are appearing in their practices.
In order to determine whether a patient is suffering from a sacroiliac joint problem versus a lumbar spinal problem, they need a full evaluation of the lumbar spine as well as the sacroiliac joint and several diagnostic maneuvers to determine if the sacroiliac joint is indeed the painful area. One common test known as the Faber exam in which the patient’s leg is flexed, abducted, and externally rotated can often specifically elicit the painful and degenerative sacroiliac region. Management of this condition may include physical therapy as well as diagnostic and therapeutic injection into the sacroiliac joint.
When all else fails, recent new technology has enabled a minimally invasive sacroiliac fusion for this procedure. A lead company in this regard is the SI-Bone Implant which is providing both minimally invasive technology as well as surgeon support and education towards the elucidation of this disease as well as its treatment. Certainly not all patients are candidates and again, the biggest issue is going to be one of diagnosis and appropriate management. However, the technology does offer the benefits of minimal incision size, possibility of immediate postoperative stabilization, minimal muscle stripping, and hopefully a potential for quicker recovery and return to activities of daily living.
It should also be noted that more and more spinal surgeons are recognizing that some of the failed back surgeries may actually be due to a component of the pain emanating not from the lumbar spine but rather from the sacroiliac joint.
Here at the Center for Spinal Disorders we are attempting to hone in on this technology and use is it appropriate cases. Please do not hesitate to contact us concerning this technology and how it can enable your patients to have better spinal and pelvic health.
Jonathan Lewin, MD
CME Activity
May 3, 2011
Medical Grand Rounds at Englewood Hospital
MD360 Web Magazine will be featuring Dr. Lewin
“Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery- Despite the Hype, It’s Here to Stay”
Minimally invasive spine surgery is certainly here to stay. Over the last 10 to 20 years, minimally invasive surgery has advanced in many surgical fields beginning with laparoscopy and gallbladder surgery, moving into orthopedic and arthroscopic surgery and now spine surgery. The goal of minimally invasive surgery, regardless of the body part, is to get at the pathology in question with as minimal a body and muscle trauma as necessary.
With the use of advanced equipment- such as fluoroscopy- which is a live x-ray machine, as well as live CT scan machines, as well as small cameras, shavers, bitters, and cutters- the spine can be accessed with minimal muscle trauma. As an example, a simple discectomy which in years past would have required a large spinal incision and muscle stripping, has advanced to the level where the following minimally invasive options are possible depending on the exact situation:
- Number One – a smaller open discectomy in which only a small amount of muscle is stripped in an attempt to remove the disc.
- Number Two – a tubular discectomy in which case a series of dilators are docked on to the area in question and the disc removed through these tubes.
- Number Three – an endoscopic approach in which through a very, very small incision, the spine is accessed with these specialized cameras and with the use of x-ray machine to pinpoint, localize, and remove the offending disc.
Spinal industry companies and detail companies are recognizing this trend and more and more are engaging the marketplace as well as surgeons in an attempt to increase their market share as well as advance the science of minimally invasive spine surgery.
Not everyone is a candidate, and each situation is different. However, at Holy Name Hospital, we attempt to individualize everyone’s pathology and tailor make a spinal program and/or procedure for that person. We look forward to serving you and hearing your thoughts.
Jonathan Lewin, MD