New York-based physician Dr. Stuart Remer possesses more than two decades of experience as an orthopaedic surgeon. Over the course of his career, Dr. Stuart Remer has focused much of his work and research on the surgical management of scoliosis. Characterized by an abnormal curve of the spine, scoliosis is a condition that can lead to uneven shoulders, an uneven waist, and one hip that sits higher than the other. Although scoliosis doesn’t always cause discomfort, the disorder is sometimes associated with pain in the back, neck, ribs, or abdomen. In more severe cases, scoliosis can interfere with heart and lung function. Treatment for scoliosis depends on its type and the age of the patient. For younger patients with moderate spinal curvature, a brace may be used to keep the condition from worsening until the spine and other bones stop growing. Those with neuromuscular scoliosis, however, will most likely require surgical intervention. Connecting two or more vertebrae through a procedure known as spinal fusion is the most common surgical intervention for scoliosis. A surgeon may use a metal rod or devices such as screws, hooks, and wires to ensure that the spine remains straight while the bones heal and fuse together.
A respected presence in the New York medical community, Dr. Stuart Remer has performed numerous orthopaedic procedures for joint and spine conditions. Among the complex treatments Dr. Stuart Remer has undertaken are joint replacement surgery and arthroscopic surgery of the knee.In most cases, knee arthroscopy takes from 30 to 45 minutes, and involves the use of an arthroscopic fiber-optic camera and specialized instruments that are introduced to the knee through three or four small incisions. Although the issues addressed vary, the general aim is usually to remove and repair damaged parts of the knee’s cartilage and fibrocartilaginous meniscus. The result of successful surgery is tissues that no longer have rough edges, and smoothly and stably work together to provide support and full joint movement. Recovery times from knee surgery vary somewhat, with most patients able to do without a walker or crutches within three days, and slight limping for less than a week thereafter. A significant number of people find walking more stable with a cane held in the hand opposite the recovering knee during this period.It is important to note that normal joint fluid activities can take as long as six weeks to be reestablished following knee surgery. The knee also generally requires at least six weeks of recovery time before activities such as sports are again advisable.
Dr. Stuart Remer has served as a spine and orthopedic surgeon for more than 20 years. Particularly experienced in the surgical treatment of scoliosis, Dr. Stuart Remer draws on an in-depth knowledge of spinal structure and function.The human spine consists of four basic regions. Closest to the head is the cervical spine, which consists of seven individual vertebrae that stack atop one another with a slight inward curvature. The top two cervical vertebrae facilitate forward and backward bend, known as flexion and extension, as well as horizontal rotation of the head. The lower five vertebrae allow for lateral flexion that brings the ear to the shoulder.Below the cervical spine are the 12 vertebrae of the thoracic spine, which together form an outward C curve. These lie atop the five vertebrae of the lumbar spine, which has an inward curve similar in shape to that of the cervical spine.Although the lumbar spine is generally more mobile than the thoracic, both sets of vertebrae allow for all four types of movement, including flexion and extension as well as lateral flexion and rotation. Flexion has a significantly greater range of motion as compared to other types of movement.The lowest section of the spine is known as the sacrum. It consists of five fused vertebrae that together form a portion of the pelvis, while the coccyx extends downward below it. The fusion of these vertebrae means that there is no motion between bones, though there is some in the sacroiliac joints that connect this portion of the spine to the lateral pelvic bones.
A fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon with 30-years of experience, Dr. Stuart Remer holds membership with the North American Spine Society and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In his practice, Dr. Stuart Remer treats people with scoliosis by correcting spinal abnormalities via surgery.
Patients diagnosed with scoliosis exhibit curved and rotated spines that fall outside the scope of normal spinal positioning. The condition often manifests in children just before they enter puberty. In patients with mild scoliosis, physicians may recommend monitoring to ensure that the curvature does not get worse. Sometimes, no treatment is required. However, in patients with more severe cases of scoliosis, physicians may recommend surgical care to correct scoliosis and/or prevent its progression. Orthopaedic surgeons have several options available when treating patients with scoliosis. For instance, surgeons can opt for a procedure to fuse spinal vertebrae such that the spine stops moving, halting scoliosis progression. Options that do not rely on spinal fusion are also available. These involve putting pressure on a particular spot along the spinal curve such that the outer-curve side grows more slowly than the inner-curve side, ultimately achieving a straighter spine.
An orthopaedic and spinal surgeon with more than two decades of experience, Dr. Stuart Remer now works as a consultant in New York. In addition to a long and accomplished surgical career, Dr. Stuart Remer has maintained membership in a number of professional organizations over the years, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).Last April, AAOS rolled out brand new guidelines for surgeons’ treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip. These guidelines lay out recommendations for helping to manage pain and promote mobility, calling for pre-surgery treatment methods such as corticosteroid shots, non-narcotic pain medicines, and physical therapy. Also, the new recommendations call for using neither hyaluronic acid nor glucosamine sulfate, because there is currently no evidence these treatments are effective in improving overall outcomes. These new guidelines also show that patients with a BMI over 30, making them moderately obese, may score lower on outcome indexes after a total hip replacement compared to patients who aren’t obese. Both groups, however, report nearly the same levels of satisfaction with the procedure. To read the guidelines in full, visit www.orthoguidelines.org/topic?id=1021.
Having made many presentations and written significant journal articles, Stuart Remer serves as a consultant in spinal operative procedures. Stuart Remer’s professional credentials include membership in the North American Spine Society (NASS).NASS has announced its annual Summer Spine meeting, an informal gathering of health care professionals, such as orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, chiropractors, and physical therapists. Dates for the event are July 27-29 in San Diego, California. The program includes technical exhibitions, symposia, workshops, and presentations of ePosters. Manufacturers of spinal surgery equipment will also be represented. Participants can arrive a day early for an extensive presentation on advanced biological methods for treating spinal abnormalities. The agenda will include information on stem cells, growth factors, and other innovative techniques. Attendees will have time to enjoy the cultural amenities of San Diego. On the 27th, NASS members and their families will have luxury box seats at Petco Park for a night game between the San Diego Padres and the New York Mets. For further information, visit the Summer Spine website at www.spine.org/ssm.aspx.
