Dr. Jack Klem, MD is a Neurosurgeon practicing at HCA Florida Neurosurgical Specialists - Kendall in Miami, FL. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive Neurosurgical care for older adults, registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in senior health, Dr. Klem understands the unique needs of this population. A general neurosurgeon possesses specialized expertise in diagnosing and surgically treating a wide range of complex neurological conditions common in older adults, such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs, and brain tumors, working collaboratively with your primary care physician and healthcare team to ensure the best possible outcome. He serves older adults (typically 65 and over) and is currently welcoming new patients. Call (305) 554-7679 to schedule an appointment. This physician is accepting telehealth visits.
With over 20 years of dedicated experience in Neurosurgical care, Dr. Klem brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins School Of Medicine in 2001, completing an internship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He then undertook residency training in Neurosurgeries at Thomas Jefferson University, specializing in the comprehensive medical care of Older adults (typically 65 and over), and further pursued fellowship training in the American College Of Surgeons to deepen his expertise. Dr. Klem is Board Certified in Neurosurgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgery. He is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients and their families feel heard and empowered in their healthcare decisions. Dr. Klem is fluent in Polish and also offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. Jack Klem is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Klem is a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, providing comprehensive neurosurgical care with a focus on the individual. He expertly diagnoses and treats complex neurological conditions, including spinal stenosis and herniated discs, while collaborating closely with your primary care physician and other healthcare professionals to ensure the best possible outcome and maintain your loved one's quality of life.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Jack Klem can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Ambetter
Cigna
Curative
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Medicare
Preferred Care Partners
Simply Healthcare
Sunshine Health
WellCare
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Choice Plus
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Jack Klem provides expert, compassionate care for a range of conditions common in older adults, with a focus on managing symptoms and maintaining function. Common areas of focus include:
- Spine Deformities: A curved spine or other spinal deformity may affect your balance and ability to move easily, but understanding your options, such as bracing or surgery, can empower you to maintain your active lifestyle.
- Spondylolisthesis: Spondylolisthesis is a condition where one vertebra slips forward over the bone below it in your spine, sometimes causing pain and stiffness.
- Pineal Region Tumors: Located deep within the brain, pineal region tumors can sometimes cause symptoms that surgery can help relieve, improving comfort and well-being in older adults.
- Brain Cancer: Brain cancer treatment plans focus on improving a senior's quality of life and preserving their independence; these plans often involve surgery, medication, or radiation therapy, tailored to the specific tumor and the individual's overall health.
- Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): An AVM is a rare condition where blood vessels in the brain are tangled, potentially leading to headaches or neurological issues; however, treatment options like surgery or radiosurgery can often reduce these problems and improve independence.
- Myelomalacia: Myelomalacia, a spinal cord condition, can cause significant discomfort, but with appropriate medical care, including physical therapy and potentially surgery, it's often possible to maintain a good quality of life and avoid needing extensive assistance.
- Chiari Malformation Type 1: With Chiari malformation type 1, brain tissue extends into the spinal canal causing pressure and symptoms, such as headaches and coordination difficulties; surgery to correct this can lessen these symptoms, promoting comfort and mobility.
- Spinal Cord Tumor: Depending on its type and location, a spinal cord tumor can be treated surgically, aiming to improve or stabilize your neurological function and preserve your comfort and ability to perform daily activities.
- Spinal Cord Injury: A spinal cord injury is damage to the nerves in your spine, which can lead to a variety of challenges depending on the severity and location; rehabilitation and support services can help maintain independence.
- Congenital Brain Malformations: Certain brain abnormalities present at birth can impact brain function later in life; specialized medical professionals can evaluate and manage any arising health concerns.
- Herniated Disc: A herniated disc happens when the soft cushion between your spinal bones bulges out, sometimes pressing on nerves and causing pain.
- Broken Neck: A fracture in the bones of the neck can cause significant pain and limit movement, but with appropriate medical care, including surgery in many cases, seniors can recover and improve their quality of life.
This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes. An accurate diagnosis and a personalized care plan can only be developed through a direct consultation with a qualified medical professional based on your specific health history.
To provide comprehensive and person-centered care, Dr. Jack Klem offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Carotid Artery Stent Placement: Carotid artery stent placement is a minimally invasive procedure that helps improve blood flow to the brain by opening narrowed arteries, reducing the risk of stroke in seniors.
- Intracranial Vessel Angioplasty and Stenting: This procedure helps doctors assess and treat narrowed brain arteries, a common problem in older adults, by widening the vessels to ensure sufficient blood flow and potentially prevent serious complications like stroke.
- Deep Brain Stimulation: As a treatment option for tremors and rigidity, deep brain stimulation offers seniors improved quality of life by lessening the impact of movement disorders on daily living.
- Microdiscectomy: To help diagnose and manage the debilitating effects of a herniated disc, microdiscectomy offers a precise surgical solution that removes the offending portion of the disc, allowing for better spinal health in seniors.
- Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant: In cases where medication and other therapies haven't provided adequate pain relief for seniors with spinal conditions, a spinal cord stimulator can offer a long-term solution by managing pain and enhancing their quality of life.
- Spinal Fusion: For seniors experiencing debilitating back pain from spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease, spinal fusion can be a key element in reducing pain and restoring function, improving their quality of life.
- Laminoplasty: Laminoplasty is a surgical procedure that opens up space in the spine, addressing the underlying cause of symptoms and offering a chance at improved pain management and function.
- Spinal Internal Fixation: Spinal internal fixation uses screws, rods, and plates to stabilize the spine, helping seniors with severe spinal fractures or instability regain mobility and reduce pain.
- Intracranial Vessels Stenting: As part of a comprehensive care plan, intracranial vessel stenting can help prevent strokes or other serious complications related to blocked brain blood vessels in seniors.
- Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Minimally invasive spine surgery offers seniors a less invasive approach to treating spinal conditions like stenosis and herniated discs, leading to faster recovery times and reduced discomfort.
- Neuroplasty: Incorporating neuroplasty into a senior's treatment plan allows doctors to assess nerve health and tailor interventions for optimal pain relief and functional improvement.
- Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a non-invasive procedure that uses precisely focused radiation to treat brain tumors and arteriovenous malformations, improving quality of life for seniors.
Service availability can change. To understand which services are appropriate for your specific health needs, please schedule a consultation to develop a personalized care plan.
All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Neurosurgeries in Florida.
Dr. Jack Klem is dedicated to partnering with older adults and their families to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how compassionate care can make a tangible difference in a patient's life:
- With careful guidance on bracing options, a senior felt more secure navigating their home and resumed their beloved daily walks in the park without pain.
- With the guidance of a neurosurgeon, a senior couple found relief from the debilitating back pain caused by spondylolisthesis, allowing them to resume their cherished weekly ballroom dancing.
- A senior with pineal region tumors experienced a significant reduction in headaches and other symptoms after receiving expert guidance and treatment, allowing them to enjoy their grandchildren's visits more fully.
These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results vary and depend on many factors specific to each person. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.
- Primary Location:
Practice
3801 E Highway 98 Ste 100100, Port St. Joe, FL, 32456
Phone: (850) 229-5752
View on Map
- HCA Florida St. Lucie Hospital Port St. Lucie (Residency Hospital)
- American Board of Neurological Surgery (Neurosurgery)
Here are answers to some common questions about Neurosurgical care with Dr. Jack Klem:
- What is a Neurosurgeon, and how are they different from a Neurologist?
- A neurosurgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in performing surgery on the brain, spine, and nerves. Neurologists, on the other hand, diagnose and treat neurological conditions with medication and non-surgical therapies. While their approaches differ, neurosurgeons and neurologists often work together as a team to provide the best possible care.
- Does seeing a neurosurgeon always mean I will need surgery?
- Absolutely not. A neurosurgeon's role often involves diagnosis and determining if surgery is the best course of action. Dr. Klem frequently recommends conservative treatments like physical therapy or injections first, and only considers surgery when necessary.
- What can I expect during my first consultation with Dr. Jack Klem?
- Your first consultation with Dr. Klem will be a thorough diagnostic process. It will include a review of your symptoms, a detailed neurological exam, and a careful review of any imaging like MRIs or CT scans. This comprehensive evaluation will help determine the best path forward, whether surgical or non-surgical.
- What is a laminectomy?
- A laminectomy is a common spine surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. It involves removing a small piece of bone from a vertebra to create more space in the spinal canal, often easing pain from conditions like spinal stenosis.
- What is a spinal cord stimulator?
- A spinal cord stimulator is a device, similar to a pacemaker, implanted to help manage chronic back or leg pain. It works by sending mild electrical pulses to the spinal cord, interfering with pain signals before they reach the brain. It's an advanced option for pain that hasn't responded to other treatments.
- Can you help with carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Dr. Klem and our team are experts in peripheral nerve issues, including carpal tunnel syndrome. We can diagnose and treat it, often with conservative measures like splinting, and if needed, perform a simple outpatient surgical release to relieve pressure on the nerve.
- What is Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for?
- Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a surgical therapy to manage movement disorders, such as Parkinson's disease or essential tremor, when medications are no longer sufficient. It works by implanting a small device that sends electrical signals to help control tremors and other motor symptoms, much like a pacemaker for the brain.
- What is minimally invasive spine surgery?
- Minimally invasive spine surgery, performed by Dr. Klem, is an advanced technique using smaller incisions and specialized instruments. This approach often results in less muscle damage, reduced pain, and a potentially faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery, making it well-suited for seniors.
HCA Florida Neurosurgical Specialists - Kendall
9100 SW 87th Ave
Miami FL 33176
Phone: (305) 554-7679
Dr. Jack Klem, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.
National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1871710004
Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.
The information on this profile, provided by infoaging.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with healthcare partners for yourself or a loved one. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Neurosurgeries like Dr. Jack Klem are skilled in helping seniors and their families navigate their health journey. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. Always consult with a qualified medical professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your care plan.