Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery
Karan Johar, MD
Double Board Certified
Pain Management Physician & Surgeon

At Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery, we are proud to offer the highest standard of care under the leadership of Dr. Karan Johar, MD, a dual Board Certified Pain Management Physician and Surgeon. With specialized expertise in pain management and minimally invasive spine surgery, Dr. Johar and our dedicated team strive to provide comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plans tailored to meet individual needs. Our practice is committed to improving the quality of life for our patients by utilizing advanced medical technologies and compassionate care in a state-of-the-art facility.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE SPINE SURGERY

The goal of minimally invasive spine (MIS) surgery is to stabilize the vertebral bones and spinal joints and/or relieve pressure being applied to the spinal nerves — often a result of conditions such as spinal instability, bone spurs, herniated discs, scoliosis or spinal tumors.

As opposed to open spine surgery, minimally invasive surgical approaches can be faster, safer and require less recovery time. Because of the reduced trauma to the muscles and soft tissues (compared to open procedures), the potential benefits are:

• Better cosmetic results from smaller skin incisions (sometimes as small as several millimeters)

• Less blood loss from surgery

• Reduced risk of muscle damage, since less or no cutting of the muscle is required

• Reduced risk of infection and postoperative pain

• Faster recovery from surgery and less rehabilitation required

• Diminished reliance on pain medications after surgery

In addition, some MIS surgeries are performed as outpatient procedures and utilize only local anesthesia — so there is less risk for an adverse reaction to general anesthesia.

As with any surgical procedure, no matter how minimal, there are certain risks associated that include, but are not limited to:

• Possible adverse reaction to the anesthetic

• Unexpected blood loss during the procedure

• Localized infections, no matter how small the incision area

And, though uncommon, there is always a small chance that the initial MIS surgery cannot be completed, requiring either a second procedure or full open surgery.

Understanding Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Endoscopic Spine Surgery is revolutionizing spinal treatment, offering patients a minimally invasive solution for achieving a pain-free life with faster recovery times. At Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery, under the expertise of Dr. Karan Johar, MD, a dual Board Certified Pain Management Physician and Surgeon, we are proud to utilize this advanced surgical technique. Dr. Johar and our team are dedicated to enhancing spinal health and delivering optimal outcomes through cutting-edge procedures that prioritize patient safety and comfort.

What is Endoscopic Spine Surgery?
Endoscopic

Spine Surgery is an advanced, minimally invasive technique that uses a small tube equipped with a specialized camera and surgical instruments to treat conditions affecting the spine. With incisions smaller than ½ inch, this innovative approach enables precise access to the spine while minimizing tissue and muscle disruption, leading to less post-operative pain and a faster recovery.

At Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery, our esteemed surgeon, Dr. Karan Johar, dual Board Certified in Pain Management with a Specialization in Spine, is at the forefront of this cutting-edge procedure. With extensive expertise, Dr. Johar is proud to offer this revolutionary surgery to his patients, ensuring the best possible outcomes while prioritizing safety and comfort.

Endoscopic Spine Surgery is regarded as one of the most innovative developments in spinal care over the past decade, and Dr. Johar’s commitment to excellence ensures that patients receive the highest standard of care.

Benefits of Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Choosing endoscopic spine surgery at Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery under the care of Dr. Karan Johar, a dual Board Certified Pain Management Physician & Surgeon, offers a wide range of benefits. The minimally invasive nature of this procedure results in smaller incisions, reduced scarring, and a quicker return to daily activities compared to traditional surgery. With little to no damage to skin, muscle, ligaments, or bone, patients experience significantly less post-operative pain.

Additionally, many endoscopic spine procedures do not require general anesthesia, which reduces medical risks and allows for outpatient treatment, enabling patients to return home the same day.

Our patients have shared remarkable success stories, attesting to the life-changing results they have experienced through this advanced surgical technique. At Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery, we are dedicated to restoring your quality of life with innovative, compassionate care.

Who is a Candidate for Endoscopic Spine Surgery?

Endoscopic spine surgery at Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery, led by Dr. Karan Johar, dual Board Certified in Pain Management with a Specialization in Spine, is an ideal option for individuals suffering from various spinal conditions, including but not limited to:

• Herniated Disc: When the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a tear in the tougher exterior, it can irritate nearby nerves, causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs.

• Spinal Stenosis: This condition involves the narrowing of spaces within the spine, which can put pressure on nerves. It frequently affects the lower back and neck.

• Sciatica: Pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve, radiating from the lower back down the leg. Typically caused by a herniated disc, sciatica usually affects one side of the body.

• Foraminal Stenosis: A form of spinal stenosis where the foramen (the opening through which nerve roots exit the spinal canal) narrows, compressing the nerve root and causing pain similar to spinal stenosis.

• Spondylolisthesis: This occurs when one vertebra slips out of place onto the vertebra below, potentially compressing nerve roots and causing discomfort.

• Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS): Chronic pain following spinal surgery. In some cases, endoscopic surgery can address lingering issues from previous surgeries.

• Spinal Disc Infections (Discitis, Osteomyelitis): Though rare, infections in the disc space can be serious. Endoscopic surgery can be used to drain the infection and relieve spinal pressure.

Candidates for endoscopic spine surgery are typically individuals who have not found relief through conservative treatments. Every patient is unique, and Dr. Karan Johar will carefully assess your condition to determine the most effective treatment plan for your spinal health.

Recovery and Post-Operative Care for Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Recovery from endoscopic spine surgery at Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery is significantly faster compared to traditional surgical methods. Post-operative care includes regular follow-up appointments with Dr. Karan Johar, a dual Board Certified Pain Management Physician with a Specialization in Spine, and may involve a customized physical therapy program tailored to your specific needs. Since endoscopic spine surgery is minimally invasive, it causes minimal disruption to the skin, muscle, and bone, leading to less post-operative discomfort and a quicker recovery.

Our dedicated team at Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery will support you every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and safe return to your normal activities as quickly as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Endoscopic Spine Surgery

Endoscopic spine surgery is a significant decision, and it’s completely normal to have questions. We’ve compiled a list of commonly asked questions regarding the procedure, recovery, and everything in between. If you don’t find your question answered here, please feel free to contact us—our patient care team at Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery is always ready to assist you.

Disc Regeneration Surgery

Disc Regeneration: A Cutting-Edge Approach to Treating Damaged Discs
Disc regeneration is a groundbreaking and advanced method for treating damaged or herniated discs by harnessing the body’s natural healing abilities. This innovative approach involves harvesting stem cells from the patient’s own bone marrow and transplanting them into the affected disc area to stimulate tissue repair and regeneration. As a form of regenerative medicine, disc regeneration offers long-term potential with minimal invasiveness, reducing the need for more traditional treatments like spinal fusion or artificial disc replacement. Additionally, because the stem cells are the patient’s own, there is a reduced risk of immune rejection.

At Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery, under the expert care of Dr. Karan Johar, a dual Board Certified Pain Management Physician with Specialization in Spine, disc regeneration presents a promising option for those suffering from chronic pain and other symptoms due to damaged or herniated discs. This innovative treatment may help patients achieve lasting relief and improved spinal health.

How Disc Regeneration Works

Disc regeneration is an innovative form of regenerative medicine that uses the body’s natural healing capabilities to repair damaged or herniated discs. The procedure involves harvesting stem cells from the patient’s own bone marrow, processing them, and then transplanting them into the damaged disc area using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques.

During the procedure, Dr. Karan Johar, dual Board Certified Pain Management Physician with a Specialization in Spine at Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery, will use a minimally invasive technique to extract stem cells from the patient’s bone marrow. The harvested stem cells are then processed through advanced centrifugation to concentrate and purify them. Once prepared, these cells are carefully transplanted into the damaged disc area using an endoscope, ensuring precise placement with minimal disruption to surrounding tissue.

Once inside the disc, the stem cells integrate with the damaged tissue, releasing essential growth factors that stimulate the regeneration of new, healthy disc tissue. These cells also replicate and divide to aid in the repair process, helping restore function and alleviate pain.

A key benefit of disc regeneration is that it uses the patient’s own cells, significantly reducing the risk of immune rejection or complications from foreign materials. Moreover, the cell-generated tissue retains its natural ability to remodel and grow, unlike artificial implants, which may deteriorate over time.

Overall, disc regeneration offers a promising, long-term solution for individuals suffering from damaged or herniated discs. This cutting-edge procedure leverages the body’s own healing mechanisms, providing a minimally invasive, effective treatment option with fewer risks than traditional surgical methods.

Benefits of Disc Regeneration

Disc regeneration surgery offers numerous advantages for individuals suffering from damaged or herniated discs. Some of the key benefits include:

• Long-term effectiveness: Disc regeneration encourages the growth of new, healthy disc tissue, providing lasting pain relief and improving overall spinal function.

• Minimal invasiveness: Unlike traditional surgical treatments such as spinal fusion, disc regeneration is a minimally invasive procedure. It involves smaller incisions and causes less disruption to surrounding tissues.

• Use of the patient’s own cells: By utilizing stem cells from the patient’s own bone marrow, disc regeneration significantly reduces the risk of immune rejection and complications that can arise from the use of foreign materials.

• Reduced recovery time: Due to the minimally invasive nature of the procedure, patients typically experience shorter recovery times compared to traditional surgical options.

• Improved quality of life: Disc regeneration can alleviate chronic pain, weakness, and other symptoms associated with damaged or herniated discs, leading to a significant improvement in a patient’s overall quality of life and daily activities.

At Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery, Dr. Karan Johar, a dual Board Certified Pain Management Physician with Specialization in Spine, is dedicated to providing cutting-edge treatments like disc regeneration to help patients regain mobility and enjoy a pain-free life.

Comparison to Spinal Fusion and Artificial Disc Replacement

Disc regeneration surgery is a cutting-edge treatment for individuals suffering from damaged or herniated discs, offering a more advanced alternative to traditional surgeries like spinal fusion and artificial disc replacement.

• Spinal Fusion: This procedure involves removing the damaged disc and permanently fusing the vertebrae above and below it. While it can provide pain relief, spinal fusion has several limitations, including reduced spinal flexibility and increased stress on adjacent discs. It is also a more invasive surgery, requiring larger incisions and leading to longer recovery times compared to disc regeneration.

• Artificial Disc Replacement: In this procedure, the damaged disc is replaced with an artificial disc made of metal, plastic, or a combination of both. Although this can be effective, the artificial disc may wear out over time, requiring future replacement. Like spinal fusion, artificial disc replacement is more invasive than disc regeneration surgery, with larger incisions and a longer recovery period.

In contrast, disc regeneration surgery uses the patient’s own stem cells to regenerate and repair the damaged disc tissue without the need for foreign materials. It is a minimally invasive procedure, involving smaller incisions, reduced recovery time, and the long-term potential for tissue remodeling and growth. With the patient’s own cells, disc regeneration offers a natural solution that retains the body’s ability to heal and adapt.

At Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery, Dr. Karan Johar, dual Board Certified Pain Management Physician with Specialization in Spine, is proud to offer disc regeneration as a revolutionary treatment option for those seeking a less invasive, long-term solution for spinal disc damage.

Dr. Karan Johar’s Expertise

Dr. Karan Johar is a highly respected, dual Board Certified Pain Management Physician with Specialization in Spine with extensive expertise in endoscopic spine surgery and disc regeneration. With fellowship training and a commitment to minimally invasive techniques, Dr. Johar provides advanced surgical care to patients suffering from spinal conditions.

Dr. Johar’s expertise in minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery allows him to perform procedures using smaller incisions, resulting in less blood loss, reduced post-operative pain, and faster recovery times compared to traditional surgical methods. His patients benefit from quicker returns to their daily routines with improved comfort and functionality.

In addition to his skills in endoscopic surgery, Dr. Johar is also a leader in disc regeneration, utilizing the patient’s own stem cells to repair and regenerate damaged or herniated discs. This minimally invasive procedure has yielded remarkable results, offering patients a long-term, natural solution for spinal health.

Dr. Johar’s primary goal is to help patients achieve a pain-free life and restore their quality of life. He takes a patient-centered approach, working closely with each individual to create a personalized treatment plan that caters to their unique needs and concerns. At Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery, patients can trust they are receiving care from a leading expert in spinal health.

Contact Us
At Park Avenue Medicine & Surgery, Dr. Karan Johar, a dual Board Certified Pain Management Physician with Specialization in Spine, offers innovative treatments like minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery and disc regeneration. With extensive experience in these cutting-edge procedures, Dr. Johar is committed to helping patients suffering from chronic pain, weakness, or other symptoms related to damaged or herniated discs.

If you're looking for a promising, minimally invasive treatment option, consider disc regeneration as the next step toward relief. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Johar, contact our office today. Don’t let chronic pain hold you back—take the first step toward a pain-free, healthier life with disc regeneration surgery.