Conditions Treated

The Stony Brook Comprehensive Spine Center meets the needs of patients with a broad range of back and neck problems including those with complex conditions that other Suffolk and Nassau County hospitals are unable to treat. 

Chiari malformation—Structural defect in the brain causing the cerebellum to protrude into the spinal canal

Chronic back pain

Discitis—Infection affecting the disc space between two vertebrae

Degenerative conditions—Changes resulting in loss of normal structure or function in the spine or neck due to age, overuse or repeated injuries

Facet joint pain—Facet joints support weight-bearing and control movement between vertebrae

Failed back surgery syndrome—Pain of the back and neck and/or extremities resulting from failed spine surgery

Flatback syndrome—A condition where normal lumbar curvature is lost after scoliosis surgery

Herniated disc—Discs that bulge or break open, potentially pressing on nerve roots and causing pain, weakness or numbness in the buttock and down the leg

Kyphosis—Abnormally rounded back

Myelopathy—Loss of spinal cord function due to trauma or degenerative change

Neck and shoulder pain

Nerve compression—Pressure placed on spinal nerves as they branch off from the spinal cord resulting in pain and numbness of the arms and/or legs

Pseudoarthrosis or Non-union—Occurs following spinal surgery when segments of vertebral bone do not merge as they were intended

Sacroiliac joint pain—Pain in the lower back, buttocks and pelvis originating in the joint bridging the lowest segment of the spinal column to the pelvic bones

Scoliosis, adult and pediatric—Abnormal curve of the spine affecting 2% to 3% of all Americans with onset typically between ages 10 and 15

Spina bifida—Developmental birth defect involving incomplete closure of the neural tube

Spinal arteriovenous malformations or fistulas—Abnormal tangle of blood vessels on, in or near the spinal cord, which can cause a variety of problems

Spinal fractures—Can vary from painful compression fractures in patients with osteoporosis to dangerous fracture-dislocations and burst fractures with a high risk of spinal cord injury or pain as a result of a car accident or serious fall

Spinal instability—Excessive motion of vertebral bodies in relation to one another

Spinal stenosis—Occurs when a combination of arthritic spurs, bulging discs and thickened tissues compress the nerves traveling through the spinal canal

Spinal trauma—Injuries to the back, neck or spinal cord sustained in motor vehicle accidents, falls or other traumas

Spinal tumors—Abnormal growths in the spinal column that can be benign (non cancerous) or malignant (cancerous)

Spondylosis /Spondylolisthesis—Defect in the connection between the vertebrae that can lead to small stress fractures in the vertebrae (spondylosis), leading one to slip out of place (spondylolisthesis).

For more information or to make an appointment, please call 631-444-SPINE (7746).