Dr. Ricardo Komotar, MD is a Neurosurgeon dedicated to providing compassionate, comprehensive neurosurgical care for older adults at UHealth Outpatient Center in Miami, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). As a partner in senior health, Dr. Komotar recognizes the unique needs of this population and collaborates closely with their primary care physicians and other healthcare providers to ensure the best possible outcomes. 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. Please call (305) 243-8644 to schedule an appointment. Dr. Komotar is Professor of Neurological Surgery at the University Of Miami School Of Medicine and a highly accomplished neurosurgeon with extensive training and experience. He earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins School Of Medicine and completed his residency training in Neurosurgery at Columbia University, further specializing in Surgical Neurooncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. He is Board Certified in Neurosurgery by the American Board of Neurological Surgery and offers consultations in Spanish.
A cornerstone of effective senior care is a strong patient-doctor partnership. Dr. Ricardo Komotar is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on holistic strategies to protect health and enhance quality of life.
Dr. Komotar acts as a compassionate and dedicated partner in your senior's health journey, offering comprehensive neurosurgical care. He expertly diagnoses and treats a wide range of neurological conditions, collaborating seamlessly with the primary care physician and other healthcare providers to ensure the best possible outcome. His approach prioritizes understanding individual needs, fostering open communication, and creating a supportive environment for your loved one's well-being.
By working together, you, your family, and Dr. Ricardo Komotar can create a clear, actionable plan that respects your individual needs and healthcare goals.
Specific Plans Accepted
Aetna
Amerigroup (Wellpoint)
Assurant Health
AvMed
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida
Cigna
Coventry Health Care
Golden Rule
Humana
Medicare
Neighborhood Health Plan
WellCare
Also Accepts These Carriers
- Ambetter
- Anthem
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Curative
- Curative EPO
- Curative PPO
- Curative PPO Plus
- Emblem Health
- EmblemHealth
- First Health
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
- Health Net
- HealthyBlue Advantage
- Medicaid
- Midwest Health Plan
- Molina
- Molina Healthcare
- MultiPlan
- MultiPlan PPO
- National (BlueCard) PPO
- Superior Health Plan
- Tricare
- United Healthcare
- UnitedHealthCare
Effective management of health is key to well-being in later life. Dr. Ricardo Komotar 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:
- Pineal Region Tumors: A pineal region tumor is a growth in a small area of the brain, and depending on its characteristics, treatment might include surgery to help maintain independence.
- Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels in the brain that can sometimes cause bleeding or seizures, but with proper medical care, many individuals can manage their symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.
- Nerve Root Injury and Plexus Disorders (incl. Pinched Nerve): Plexus disorders, affecting networks of nerves, and pinched nerves can impact daily activities; treatment focuses on easing pain and improving nerve function, often through a combination of conservative and surgical options, to enhance independence.
- Cerebral Edema: Brain swelling, or cerebral edema, can be a serious condition, but prompt diagnosis and treatment, often involving medication to reduce swelling, can help minimize long-term effects and support a good quality of life for your aging loved one.
- Hypothalamus Cancer: Although rare, cancer in the hypothalamus, a vital part of the brain, can significantly impact daily life; modern medicine offers various approaches, including surgery, radiation, and medication, to alleviate symptoms and allow seniors to maintain their independence for as long as possible.
- Brain Abscess: If a brain abscess is detected, treatment usually involves antibiotics and potentially surgery to drain the infected area, allowing you to better manage symptoms and maintain your quality of life.
- Moyamoya Disease: This uncommon condition, Moyamoya disease, restricts blood flow to the brain, potentially leading to strokes; thankfully, modern medical care offers various treatments including surgery to improve circulation and quality of life.
- Spina Bifida: Spina bifida, a condition present at birth affecting the spine, might require ongoing care as a senior, but strategies like regular check-ups and adapted physical activities can help ensure a comfortable and active lifestyle.
- Thoracic Spine Fracture: Experiencing a broken bone in your upper spine can be concerning, but advancements in medical care offer effective solutions, such as surgery, to alleviate pain and restore your quality of life.
- Chordoma: If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a chordoma, a rare bone tumor, know that specialized surgical teams often provide minimally invasive options to reduce pain and increase mobility, improving the quality of life.
- Cranial Nerve Cancer: Cranial nerve cancer is a rare type of cancer that affects the nerves connecting your brain to different parts of your head and neck, and treatment, such as surgery or radiation, aims to remove the tumor and improve your comfort and function.
- Neurogenic Bowel: Neurogenic bowel is a condition where nerve damage affects bowel control, leading to incontinence or constipation; working with a doctor to develop a personalized plan including medication, dietary changes, or even surgery can significantly improve your daily life and independence.
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. Ricardo Komotar offers a range of services designed to diagnose, manage, and support the health of older adults:
- Neurostimulation: As part of a comprehensive care plan, neurostimulation can help seniors with Parkinson's disease or essential tremor experience improved motor control and reduced symptoms.
- Pituitary Gland Tumor Excision: Pituitary gland tumor excision is a surgery to remove a tumor from the pituitary gland, helping manage hormone imbalances and vision problems in seniors.
- Neuroplasty: Neuroplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can help relieve pressure on nerves, improving pain and mobility in seniors with spinal stenosis or herniated discs.
- Carotid Artery Stent Placement: This procedure helps manage carotid artery stenosis, a condition that can lead to stroke, by inserting a small mesh tube to keep the artery open and ensuring adequate blood supply to the brain in older adults.
- Tumor Ablation: Tumor ablation is a procedure that uses focused energy to destroy cancerous brain or spinal cord tumors, helping seniors avoid more extensive surgery.
- Herniated Disc Surgery: This procedure helps diagnose the exact cause of persistent back pain and leg pain in seniors, offering a surgical solution when other treatments have proven ineffective.
- Brain Surgery: Brain surgery can help remove tumors or address other conditions affecting brain function, improving quality of life for seniors.
- Peripheral Nerve Block: Peripheral nerve blocks help seniors manage pain by delivering medication directly to the affected nerve, reducing reliance on systemic medications and their potential side effects.
- Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) Repair: As part of a comprehensive care plan for seniors with brain AVMs, repair surgery aims to eliminate the malformation, thereby reducing the need for ongoing medication or monitoring for rupture.
- Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: As part of a comprehensive care plan, Gamma Knife radiosurgery offers a precise and minimally invasive way to target and treat certain brain conditions in older adults, reducing the need for extensive surgery.
- Vascular Transcatheter Embolization: To effectively address vascular problems in the brain or spine, transcatheter embolization helps seniors avoid the risks associated with more extensive surgeries while achieving targeted treatment.
- Destruction of Brain Tumor: Surgical removal of a brain tumor allows doctors to accurately diagnose the type and grade of the tumor, guiding further treatment decisions.
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. Ricardo Komotar 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:
- After careful treatment for a pineal region tumor, a senior couple felt secure returning to their beloved summer cottage, a place filled with cherished memories, where they could enjoy their favorite activities once more.
- With careful guidance and treatment, a senior was able to resume painting, a cherished hobby that had been sidelined by AVM symptoms. The family felt a profound sense of relief and gratitude for the improved quality of life.
- With the guidance of a neurosurgeon, a senior was able to resume playing the piano, a cherished hobby that had been hampered by nerve pain. The family felt immense relief knowing their loved one could once again enjoy this cherished activity.
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)
- Clinical Features, Surgical Treatment, and Long-Term Outcome of Adult Moyamoya Patients, 2009-05-15
- Remote Cerebellar Hemorrhage Associated With Intra-Operative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak: A Report of Two Rare Case Presentations and Review of the Literature, 2020-12-14
- Protective Effect of C5a Receptor Inhibition after Murine Reperfused Stroke, 2013-07-09
- Evoked Potential Monitoring Identifies Possible Neurological Injury During Positioning for Craniotomy, 2009-07-30
- Survival benefit of lobectomy for glioblastoma: moving towards radical supramaximal resection., 2020-07-05
- Intraoperative magnesium infusion during carotid endarterectomy: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 2009-03-13
Here are answers to some common questions about Neurosurgical care with Dr. Ricardo Komotar:
- 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 large part of a neurosurgeon's job is diagnosis and determining if surgery is the best option. Dr. Komotar often recommends conservative treatments first, such as physical therapy or injections, and only considers surgery when necessary.
- What can I expect during my first consultation with Dr. Ricardo Komotar?
- Your initial consultation with Dr. Komotar will be a thorough diagnostic process. We will review your symptoms, perform a detailed neurological exam, and carefully examine any existing imaging, such as MRIs or CT scans. This comprehensive evaluation will help us determine the best path forward, whether surgical or non-surgical.
- What types of spine problems do you treat?
- Dr. Komotar's practice treats common age-related spine conditions like herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and sciatica, which often cause significant back or leg pain. We aim to relieve pressure on the nerves to reduce pain and improve patients' ability to walk and stay active.
- What is minimally invasive spine surgery?
- Minimally invasive spine surgery, performed by Dr. Komotar, is an advanced technique using smaller incisions and specialized instruments. This approach results in less muscle damage, reduced post-operative pain, and often a faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
- 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, easing pain from conditions like spinal stenosis.
- How do you treat brain tumors in older adults?
- Dr. Komotar's approach to brain tumors in older adults is highly personalized. Treatment options, such as surgical removal, radiation therapy, or observation, depend on the specific tumor and the patient's overall health. The primary goal is always to maximize quality of life.
- Can you help with carpal tunnel syndrome?
- Dr. Komotar 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.
UHealth Outpatient Center
1295 NW 14th St
Miami FL 33125
Phone: (305) 243-8644
Dr. Ricardo Komotar, 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): 1487803094
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. Ricardo Komotar 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.