Midwest Neurosurgeons

Now in its third year of operation, Midwest Neurosurgeons of Cape Girardeau is seeing exponential growth and has an aggressive plan for its future.

In 2010, Midwest Neurosurgeons hired a certified physician assistant (PA-C), Ashley Camp, bringing their employee count to 20. Its services have also expanded to include radiofrequency ablation, vagal nerve stimulation and treatment of diabetes with spinal cord stimulation.

Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure that uses radio waves to produce heat on specifically identified nerves surrounding the facet joints on either side of the lumbar spine. It is used to treat severe chronic pain in the lower back.

Vagal nerve stimulation, which is analogous to a pacemaker for the vagus nerve, is often used to treat intractable seizures and depression. It is an outpatient procedure and has a very high success rate.

Spinal cord stimulation offers an effective way of relieving chronic diabetic neuropathic pain for patients, and offers them enhanced mobility, which allows for more physical therapy and exercise. For those debilitated by diabetic pain, this treatment option can provide mobility that they may have not had in years, and often allows for the discontinuation of medications which have had profound side effects.

Sonjay Joseph Fonn, DO Neurosurgeon

Additionally, Midwest Neurosurgeons added new equipment in 2010, purchasing a fluoroscopy unit, which is utilized during pain management procedures, as in nerve blocks. This allows real-time images so that small doses of local anesthetic and steroids can be administered precisely, safely and directly to specific nerves. Once pain relief is achieved additional therapies, such as surgery, can be performed to alleviate the pain permanently.

Dr. Sonjay Joseph Fonn, DO is the owner of Midwest Neurosurgeons. He sits on several medical boards, and is the premier surgeon for KFVS12's Heartland MD. Dr. Fonn provides services at both Saint Francis Medical Center and the Auburn Surgery Center, offering convenience and multiple recovery options for his patients. Dr. Fonn specializes in spinal and cranial surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, vertebroplasty, kyphoplasty, pain management, minimally invasive surgery, artificial disc replacement, spinal cord stimulation, vagal nerve stimulation, and radiofrequency ablation.

One patient, Angela Penrod, is especially thankful to Dr. Fonn.

"I want to thank Dr. Fonn for everything he's done," says Penrod. "I'm a miracle, a walking, talking miracle, and it's because of him."

Midwest Neurosurgeons embraces the community in which it works, and strives to do more than just provide neurosurgical services. In the last three years, Midwest Neurosurgeons' staff has been involved with Relay for Life, sponsored Heartland's Best Teachers, participated in the Cape Girardeau Downtown Parade of Lights, hosted an American Red Cross "Rock 'N Roll Up Your Sleeve" blood drive and has supported Southeast Missouri State University's international students in the Diwali Festival.

Midwest Neurosurgeons has no intention of slowing its rapid growth. For 2011, Dr. Fonn plans to expand his services to better assist his patients in their recovery.

Presenting a wide range of diagnosis and treatment options, Midwest Neurosurgeons is an intelligent decision when it comes to individual nervous system health.