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Cervical Spinal Stenosis

Cervical stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck area or upper part of the spine. This narrowing places pressure on the spinal cord. While some patients are born with this narrowing, most cases of cervical stenosis occur to patients over the age of 50 and are the result of aging and "wear and tear" on the spine.

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

As we age, our vertebral discs, which serve as shock absorbers for the spine, gradually dry out, affecting their strength and resiliency. This can lead to degenerative disc disease (DDD). DDD of the cervical spine is a relatively common condition for aging adults. However, many people who have cervical degenerative disc disease don’t even know it.

Scheurmann's Kyphosis

Most patients visit a doctor with this disorder when they become aware of a convex curve to their back. Some patients may also see a doctor due to back pain, especially those adolescents who have a thoracolumbar kyphosis.

In addition to the convex curve in the thoracic spine, some patients develop what is called a compensatory curve in the lumbar spine.

Compression Fractures

The spinal column consists of 34 individual bones called vertebrae. Separating the vertebrae from each other are intervertebral discs that cushion and absorb the stress and shock that the body incurs during movement and give the spine its flexibility. Compression fractures occur when the vertebrae collapse, decreasing the space between them. These injuries often happen to people with osteoporosis and can be the result of a minor fall or even simple daily activities such as bending or lifting.

Lumbar Disc Herniation

A lumbar herniated disc is a common cause of low back and leg pain. Discs, which act as shock absorbers for the spine, are located in between each of the vertebrae in the spine. Each disc contains a tire-like outer band (called the annulus fibrosus) that surrounds a gel-like substance (called the nucleus pulposus).

Spondylolisthesis

Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition in which one vertebra slips forward over the vertebra below. Degenerative spondylolisthesis, usually occurs in the lumbar spine, especially at L4-L5. It is the result of degenerative changes in the vertebral structure that cause the joints between the vertebrae to slip forward. This type of spondylolisthesis is most common among older female patients, usually those over the age of 60.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

As the name suggests, minimally invasive spine surgery allows the surgeon to make smaller incisions in the skin and avoid large muscle retraction. The surgeon uses a thin telescope-like instrument, called an endoscope, which is inserted through a small incision. A tiny video camera and light are connected to the endoscope and send images from "inside" the body to a screen in the operating room.

PLIF, ALIF, TLIF, DLIF

Spinal fusion is a surgical procedure in which two or more vertebrae are joined or fused together. Fusion surgeries typically require the use of bone graft to facilitate fusion. This involves taking small amounts of bone from the patient's pelvic bone (autograft), or from a donor (allograft), and then packing it between the vertebrae in order to “fuse” them together.

Artificial Discs

Artificial discs are designed to fit into the damaged disc space in order to restore disc height, improve mobility and flexibility, and eliminate pain. There are several types of artificial discs. The discs are made of surgical grade metal (such as stainless steel or titanium). Some also include a soft, pliable inner material made from polyethylene.

Patients with severe degenerative disc disease in either the cervical or lumbar spine, especially if accompanied by spinal cord compression, would benefit from artificial discs. However, since not all patients are suitable for this technology, assessment by a skilled spinal surgeon is essential.

Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that uses orthopedic cement or new bone substitute materials to “rebuild” the vertebral space lost as a result of the compression fracture and return it to its original height. The procedure also relieves pain and stabilizes the vertebrae to prevent future injury.

Kyphoplasty is performed under local or general anesthesia. The physician makes a small incision in the skin of the back and, using image guidance x-ray technology, threads a narrow tube through the skin to the fractured vertebrae.

Tests & Imaging

Modern spine care has a broad range of tests and diagnostic procedures which may be utilized to understand your condition and establish a treatment plan. Here are a few of the more common tests that may be performed.

X-rays, CT Scans and MRI's provide excellent images of various spinal disorders. However, they cannot show pain. Spinal injections, typically used to control pain, are also used diagnostically to locate the pain source.

Spinal Implants

Most spinal implants are made of metals such as titanium, titanium-alloy or stainless steel; some are made of non-metallic compounds. They come in many different shapes and sizes to accommodate different patients of all ages.

Daniel M. Birk, MD, FAANS

Daniel M. Birk, M.D., FAANS is a neurosurgeon specializing in complex and minimally invasive spinal surgery. He treats a variety of spinal conditions, such as lumbar stenosis, cervical stenosis, scoliosis, herniated discs, radiculopathy, myelopathy, spondylolisthesis, spondylolysis, spinal metastasis, failed spinal fusion, and spinal trauma.

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Birk has published multiple articles in peer-reviewed journals, given talks at national and international conferences and has authored multiple case reports and textbook chapters. Now Dr. Birk brings his clinical skills, knowledge and years of experience to NSPC while remaining actively involved in academics and research as Adjunct Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Stony Brook University.

Appointments

Dr. Daniel Birk serves patients throughout Long Island from two strategically and conveniently located offices..., one in Port Jefferson Station and a second in Commack, New York.

Insurance

Insurance can be confusing and contradictory, particularly when attempting to establish coverage for conditions. Please contact us to discuss your personal insurance situation. We work with many insurers large and small, on your behalf. Dr. Birk works specifically with many of the top medical insurance providers in New York State.

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Dr. Daniel Birk serves patients throughout Long Island from two strategically and conveniently located offices..., one in Port Jefferson Station and a second in Commack, New York.

All patients receive personalized and state-of-the-art care.

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Innovation

Dr. Birk is on the leading edge of research into new 21st Century Approaches to bionic devices for spine restoration and also holds a patent on a new surgical instrument.

Minimally Invasive

Using the most innovative procedures to minimize blood loss, soft tissue injury, and enhance recovery. These include minimally invasive discectomy, laminotomy and fusion as well as image guided intraoperative navigation.

Traditional Values

As a 3rd generation physician, Dr. Birk has a personal mission to provide to every patient, the same level of care that he would provide to members of his own family.

Common Diagnoses

Learn more about these very common diagnoses in the Virtual Spine Center.

Spondylolisthesis - Degenerative

Spondylolisthesis is a spinal condition in which one vertebra slips forward over the vertebra below. Degenerative spondylolisthesis, usually occurs in the lumbar spine, especially at L4-L5.

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Advanced Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery techniques can be used in the treatment of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. Stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower part of the spine. This narrowing places pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerves.

Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease

Dr. Birk offers the most current operative techniques for the treatment of Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease. As we age, our vertebral discs, which serve as shock absorbers for the spine, gradually dry out, affecting their strength and resiliency. This can lead to degenerative disc disease (DDD). DDD of the cervical spine is a relatively common condition for aging adults

News / Media / Press

COVID19 - Coronavirus

Links to important information about COVID19 found on Dr. Birk's Social Media channels.

Medicine Advances

The advances in spinal care and spinal pain management over the past 30 years are nothing short of astonishing. Robots, computers, microsurgical techniques, and ongoing research have all played a role.

Dr. Birk is committed to offering his patients care that is on the forefront of medical science. To assist patients, he has created this unique Virtual Spine Center.

Expert Minimally Invasive Spine On Long Island