Dr. Jessica Aidlen knew from an early age that she wanted to have a career as a surgeon and was very driven by her interest in science and medicine, particularly with the idea of restoring function. She went on to study biochemistry at LeMoyne College, where she also played Division II soccer, and graduated summa cum laude. From there, she completed medical school at the University at Buffalo, where she was very active in working with their prestigious Department of Orthopaedics doing research in sports medicine and joint arthroplasty. She completed orthopaedic surgery residency at the University of Massachusetts, and pursued a fellowship in Adult Reconstructive Spine Surgery at Brown University. She 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. At Newton-Wellesley Hospital, she has led several institutional initiatives to improve access and care for spine patients. In the area of orthopaedic research, she has several peer-reviewed published journal articles in her areas of expertise particularly related to spine surgery. She credits her successes to the many strong professional mentorships that she benefited from. For over a decade, Dr. Aidlen has paid forward the knowledge and guidance she received in the beginning of her career by teaching residents and fellows, with a specific focus on female leadership in a male-dominated field.
She thinks fondly of minimally invasive spine surgery as art and science combined. She sees time and time again how choosing the right minimally invasive procedure for a patient gives amazing outcomes that boosts their quality of life immediately. Her heart is to give her patients, no matter the age, the quality of life they deserve–from the 65 year old marathon runner to the 18 year old landscape employee. Her holistic approach includes facets such as patient education, preventive measures via lifestyle changes, nutrition, exercise programs, psychological evaluations, and more. This team approach in conjunction with her minimally invasive techniques allows the patients who need surgery to experience quicker and stronger recovery, less need for opiates, and the best solution possible
An alternative to cervical spinal fusion, the Mobi-C is a motion-preserving cervical disc replacement. 20-year data proves that this minimally invasive surgery results in an almost immediate resumption of activities, excellent symptom relief, faster recovery with less restriction, less follow-ups, all while maintaining complete mobility. Benefits also include less muscle trauma, less stress on adjacent discs which lowers risk for future surgeries.
Each procedure that falls into this category is meant to preserve tissue around the spine with minimal tissue disruption. The screws and cages may differ depending on the surgery, but all will provide the patient with less restriction, shorter hospital stay, lower use of opioid medication, and a stronger, faster recovery.
The best part about the microdiscectomy treatment for a lumbar disc herniation is that it is a relatively short, outpatient procedure. The second best part is this metaphor: Think of the disc like a jelly donut. When you get a tear, injury, or weakened outer part of the disc, the jelly center essentially squirts out. The jelly then compresses surrounding nerves causing severe pain, numbness, and weakness. While many patients get better within 6-12 weeks as that jelly resorbs, those who do not get better after weeks of physical therapy and medication will likely need surgery to remove portions of the herniated disc, relieving the pressure.
Dr. Aidlen treats all types of spine conditions including, but not limited to: Disc herniations, spinal stenosis, cervical myelopathy/spinal cord compression, spinal trauma causing fractures to the neck or back, degenerative deformities, spondylolisthesis, and sports injuries.
This minimally invasive technique is used in place of a traditional open lumbar spinal fusion. Utilizing a small incision via the patient's side, x-ray, and nerve monitoring, a cage is placed to correct spinal deformities, collapsed discs, and unstable spine segments. Stabilizing with this technique provides relief by removing pressure from the affected nerves, while causing minimal muscle trauma. This procedure is typically performed with minimally invasive screw placement from the back to hold the construct stable for fusion.
Severe spinal cord compression in the neck region causing neurological symptoms such as clumsiness, weakness, numbness in hands or legs, balance issues, difficulty walking. Often, the patient is 65 years of age or older. Surgery in this instance is recommended as early as possible, as data proves that a more aggressive approach with early decompression results in quicker recovery and prevents further neurological damage and decline. This problem can be addressed with various procedures, from the front or back of the neck, depending on how many levels are involved and where the compression is occurring.
