Richard Obedian, the Director of Island Spine and Sports in Hicksville, New York, was named Kyphon “Top Doc” recently. Richard Obedian started performing balloon kyphoplasty a number of years ago and has become an expert on both performing and teaching the procedure. Balloon kyphoplasty is a procedure that is used when a patient suffers from osteoporosis or vertebral compression fractures. Over the course of a year, Richard Obedian performs hundreds of these procedures with an increasingly successful rate of recovery and patient satisfaction.

“Balloon kyphoplasty works for so many of my patients, I feel like I recommend it to everyone,” says Richard Obedian. The recovery for patients is minimal and the increase in the quality of life is extraordinary. Compared to patients who have vertebroplasty, balloon kyphoplasty is the absolute winner as far as surgical procedures go.

“For my patients who are very resistant to surgical procedures, balloon kyphoplasty is an easy sell. Many times, these patients have been living with so much pain, they cannot fathom surviving the discomfort of a post-operative situation. However, when they hear how minimally invasive the procedure is and how little time they will spend recovering, they come around,” says Richard Obedian. It is a fairly straightforward procedure to explain and when patients hear how relieved they are going to be afterward, their excitement begins to grow.

After his recognition as a Kyphon “Top Doc,” Richard Obedian’s already busy phones began ringing off the hook. Patients from all walks of life and all ages, who suffered from injury or osteoporosis, wanted to know when he could perform the famed procedure. Richard Obedian, amongst all the popularity, always stays focused on what is most important – what is best for the patient.

“When I asked Richard Obedian about balloon kyphoplasty for me, he told me it was not the right procedure for the problems I have in my spine. I had already been to another surgeon who was pushing it on me, so I appreciated Richard Obedian’s honesty,” says a patient. Richard Obedian will surely remain “Top Doc” for many years to come because of his reputation and service to his patients.