Dr. Nicholas Qandah, a board certified neurosurgeon at CNY Brain and Spine Neurosurgery in New Hartford, NY is now performing the “Tiger Woods” surgery, a minimally invasive back surgery. 

Also known as an Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF), the procedure involves the implantation and fusion of specialized Centinel Spine products which provide relief from pain by stabilizing and restoring optimal function to the patient’s spine. While this is a minimally invasive surgery, it requires a surgeon with the expertise of both general and neurological knowledge.

Tiger Woods, who had been suffering from back issues for years underwent this procedure using Centinel Spine’s STALIF M-Ti™, a fusion implant. His surgery involved implanting a state of the art product into the spinal column to alleviate back pain due to disc deterioration and spinal compression in the lower back. The doctors then created a minimally invasive access to the spinal column through a small incision in the abdomen to perform the delicate surgery. Following his recovery, Tiger Woods was able to return to the PGA Tour, and captured his first major win in 11 years at the 83rd Masters. 

“The goal is to return our patients to normal activity and help them live their lives without back pain,” Dr. Qandah stated. “Patients will probably not be able to become a PGA tour winner because of this surgery, but it will change their quality of life if it alleviates their pain,” Dr Qandah teased. 

Although this is a well known surgery, Dr. Qandah also specializes in many other brain and spine conditions. With over 15 years of Neurosurgical experience and training with the world’s best neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons, he is able to offer special expertise in surgical and non-surgical Regenerative Spine Care, specializing in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and the latest Robotic and Cellular Technology. His care covers the complete spectrum of neurosurgical needs: including the neck (cervical spine), back (lumbar spine), spinal injuries (trauma), scoliosis, spinal tumors, brain tumors and brain trauma. 

Among running his own practice, Dr. Qandah is also the director of Neurosciences at Rome Memorial Hospital and the Director of Neurosurgery at Mohawk Valley Health System. Dr. Qandah also performs procedures in Rome and in Utica. CNY Brain & Spine has offices located  in Rome at Chestnut Commons, 107 E. Chestnut Street, Suite 105 and New Hartford at 83 Genesee St. For more information, and to schedule a consultation call 315.792.7629. . 

About CNY Brain and Spine and Dr. Nicholas Qandah 

Dr. Nicholas Qandah, who is board certified in Neurosurgery and Fellowship trained in both Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Spine, earned his medical degree from Midwestern University AZCOM in Glendale, Arizona. After completing Neurosurgical Residency training at the Virginia Tech Carilion Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia, Dr. Q was awarded the AO Complex Spine Fellowship in Orthopedics and Neurosurgery at the University of Washington-Harborview in Seattle, Washington.Dr. Qandah and his colleagues at Central New York Brain & Spine Neurosurgery use a team approach to evaluate and treat patients most effectively. He is committed to patient care, improved patient lifestyle, surgical outcome, his family and the Central New York Community. The Central New York Brain and Spine Team is available for appointments at several convenient locations in the Utica area. Contact and learn more here