Spine Surgeon Delray Beach, FL | Stewart G. Eidelson, MD

Dr. Stewart Eidelson is the founder of SouthPalm Ortho-Spine Institute in Delray Beach and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He completed his medical education at Thomas Jefferson Medical College and orthopaedic training that included Geisinger Medical Center and the Alfred I. duPont Institute.

Dr. Eidelson subsequently completed a dedicated spine fellowship at the Cleveland Spine and Arthritis Center under Arthur Steffee, MD, an important innovator in the development of modern spinal instrumentation.

His clinical and research interests have included lumbar spinal stenosis, cervical and lumbar spine disorders, spinal reconstruction and minimally invasive surgical techniques. He has also published research concerning treatment outcomes and functional mobility in older patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Dr. Eidelson's Delray Beach practice emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to spine care. Depending upon the diagnosis, treatment may involve non-operative care, pain management, rehabilitation or surgery.

Spinal Stenosis Treatment in Delray Beach

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spaces within the spine that can place pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. It most commonly affects the lumbar spine in the lower back or the cervical spine in the neck.

Lumbar spinal stenosis can cause symptoms such as lower back discomfort, pain or numbness extending into the buttocks or legs, leg weakness, and difficulty standing or walking for extended periods. Some patients find that symptoms improve when sitting or leaning forward.

Cervical spinal stenosis can affect the spinal cord as well as individual nerve roots and may produce neck pain, numbness or weakness in the arms or hands, problems with fine motor coordination, or changes in balance and walking.

Dr. Eidelson has a longstanding clinical and research interest in spinal stenosis, particularly its effect on active older adults.

Treatment depends upon the cause and severity of the stenosis, the patient's symptoms and neurological findings, imaging studies, overall health, and the extent to which the condition is limiting everyday activities.

Not every patient with spinal stenosis needs an operation. Appropriate non-surgical treatment may be considered first. When significant nerve compression, neurological problems or persistent disabling symptoms make surgery appropriate, the goal is to relieve pressure on the affected neural structures while minimizing disruption of normal spinal anatomy whenever possible.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Modern spine surgery is not a single procedure or technique. The appropriate operation depends upon the patient's diagnosis and anatomy.

Minimally invasive spine surgery uses specialized surgical approaches and technology designed, when appropriate, to accomplish the necessary surgical objective through less disruptive access to the spine.

Potential advantages in properly selected patients may include smaller incisions, reduced disruption of surrounding muscle and tissue, less postoperative discomfort, shorter hospitalization and a faster return to normal activities. These potential benefits vary according to the procedure and the individual patient.

Dr. Eidelson has extensive experience with minimally invasive approaches to spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and herniated discs and has been involved with advanced spine-surgery technologies throughout his career.

The important question, however, is not whether a particular technology is new or minimally invasive. It is whether it is the appropriate treatment for the individual patient.

For some conditions, a minimally invasive procedure may offer an effective solution. For others, conventional decompression, reconstruction or fusion may be more appropriate. And for many patients, surgery may not be necessary at all.

Herniated Discs and Degenerative Disc Disease

The discs between the vertebrae act as cushions and contribute to normal spinal movement. With age, injury and ordinary wear, discs can lose hydration, change shape or deteriorate. This is generally described as degenerative disc disease.

A herniated disc occurs when disc material extends beyond its normal boundary and may irritate or compress a nearby nerve.

Depending upon its location, a herniated disc can cause back or neck pain as well as radiating symptoms such as sciatica, arm pain, numbness, tingling or weakness.

Treatment should be based on the patient's symptoms and examination—not simply the appearance of an MRI. Many disc problems can be managed without surgery. When persistent nerve compression or neurological symptoms warrant an operation, less invasive surgical options may be considered when appropriate.

A Spine Surgeon Focused on Diagnosis First

Successful spine treatment begins by determining what is actually causing the patient's symptoms.

Back and neck pain can have many causes, and abnormalities visible on an MRI do not automatically establish the source of pain or mean that surgery is required.

Dr. Eidelson's approach begins with the patient's history, physical and neurological examination, appropriate imaging, previous treatment and the effect symptoms are having on the patient's life.

The objective is not simply to identify an abnormality on an imaging study. It is to determine whether that abnormality explains the patient's symptoms and, if so, what treatment offers an appropriate balance of benefit and risk.

Spine Care in Delray Beach and Palm Beach County

Dr. Stewart G. Eidelson sees patients at SouthPalm Ortho-Spine Institute in Delray Beach, Florida. The practice serves patients from throughout Palm Beach County and South Florida, including Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Lake Worth and surrounding communities.

Patients may seek an evaluation for a newly diagnosed spine condition, persistent neck or back symptoms, spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, or a second opinion regarding recommended spine surgery.

SouthPalm Ortho-Spine Institute

Stewart G. Eidelson, MD
Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon

15300 Jog Road, Suites 107–108
Delray Beach, FL 33446
Phone: (561) 742-5959

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Stewart Eidelson a spine surgeon in Delray Beach, Florida?

Yes. Stewart G. Eidelson, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon practicing at SouthPalm Ortho-Spine Institute in Delray Beach, Florida. His practice focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of cervical and lumbar spine conditions.

What conditions does Dr. Eidelson treat?

Dr. Eidelson treats a range of spinal disorders, with particular expertise and clinical interests in spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, lumbar and cervical spine disorders, nerve compression and conditions that may require spinal decompression, reconstruction or fusion.

Does Dr. Eidelson specialize in spinal stenosis?

Yes. Spinal stenosis has been a longstanding clinical and research interest for Dr. Eidelson. His work has included lumbar and cervical stenosis and treatment of spinal stenosis in older adults who want to maintain mobility and an active lifestyle.

Does seeing a spine surgeon mean I will need surgery?

No. An evaluation by a spine surgeon does not mean surgery will be recommended. Many neck and back conditions can be treated without an operation. The first objective is to establish an accurate diagnosis and determine the most appropriate treatment options.

Does Dr. Eidelson perform minimally invasive spine surgery?

Yes. Minimally invasive spine surgery is an important area of Dr. Eidelson's practice. When appropriate for the patient's condition, minimally invasive techniques may be considered to reduce disruption of surrounding tissues while accomplishing the necessary surgical treatment.

When should I see a spine specialist for spinal stenosis?

An evaluation may be appropriate when back or neck symptoms persist despite treatment or when pain, numbness, weakness, difficulty walking, loss of dexterity or other neurological symptoms interfere with normal activities. New or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms should receive prompt medical assessment.

Can I see Dr. Eidelson for a second opinion?

Yes. Patients can seek a spine evaluation or second opinion when they have been diagnosed with a spinal condition or have been advised to consider surgery. A second opinion can help clarify the diagnosis, available non-surgical options and, when surgery is recommended, the rationale and possible surgical approaches.

Schedule a Spine Evaluation in Delray Beach

If spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease or another cervical or lumbar spine condition is affecting your mobility or quality of life, an accurate diagnosis is the first step toward appropriate treatment.

To schedule an evaluation with Stewart G. Eidelson, MD, a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic spine surgeon in Delray Beach, Florida, contact SouthPalm Ortho-Spine Institute at (561) 742-5959.