Chief of Spine Surgery Jessica Aidlen MD
In this episode of ‘Interview the Expert’ Joel speaks with Chief of Spine Surgery Jessica Aidlen MD. Jessica is currently the Chief of the Spine Surgery Division at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, as well as the Medical Director of the NWH Spine Center and Spine Consultant for Boston College Athletics. Jessica favors an holistic approach in conjunction with her minimally invasive techniques.
Specifics questions and topics include:
0:44 - Where are you based and at what hospital?
2:56 - Why did you chose spine surgery?
4:26 - How long have you been a surgeon?
5:05 - Chief of Spine in a male dominated profession. Very much a male dominance in the UK.
6:58 - The US has quite specific female mentoring programs.
9:20 - Have you been a patient from a spine pain or procedure perspective?
10:50 - Would you operate on a family member?
13:28 - What is the difference between an orthopaedic surgeon and a neuro surgeon? What are the differences specifically with minimally invasive surgery?
16:40 - What does minimally invasive surgery mean to you?
21:40 - What is a patient's journey when they come to see you? Multidisciplinary approach is key but not necessarily the case in the US.
26:50 - Patients want to know what is going on and the surgeon is only part of the outcome.
28:50 - Mental health, exercise and nutrition are key to the patient outcome.
32:00 - Mental strength pre and post surgery. 20% of patients have postoperative mental health issues.
35:10 - The postoperative misalignment of patient expectations (e.g. in 6 weeks you’ll be back on your Peloton bike!).
38:38 - Fusion cage type and what has changed with respect to speed of recovery?
43:23 - Do you advise particular patient exercises post procedure? Is preoperative fitness key?
45:04 - Disc replacements and motion preservation procedures. Cervical disc replacements have very compelling research data. Lumbar disc replacements are not as numerous in the US.
48:22 - Lumbar disc replacements.
50:34 - Do you have a particular case that has really changed your view on spine surgery?
54:05 - Wise words for viewers - educate yourself and find a team you trust.