Dr. Rizwan Tahir, MD is a neurosurgeon in Washington, DC specializing in neurosurgery. He graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 2013 and has 11 years of experience. Dr. Rizwan Tahir, MD is affiliated with MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, HCA Virginia, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Health and MGMC LLC.
110 Irving Street, NW East Building, Gamma Knife, Suite G019
Washington, DC 20010
Unable to locate address.
9000 Franklin Square Drive Neurology, 2nd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21237
1850 Town Center Parkway
Reston, VA 20190
5454 Wisconsin Avenue Suite 1100
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
9000 Franklin Square Drive Floor 2
Rosedale, MD 21237
Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Fusion
The sacrum is the wide, triangular bone at the bottom of the spine. It connects to the pelvis on each side in an L-shaped area called the sacroiliac (or SI) joint. Although it is called a joint, this connection does not really move; instead, it transfers weight from the spine to the legs and helps cushion the spinal column. In some cases, surgery is performed to fuse the joint in place and stabilize it. This surgery is called sacroiliac joint fusion.
Occasionally, the SI joint can become irritated, painful, or arthritic. Problems with the sacroiliac joint can be caused by trauma, infection, or other issues. The main symptom of SI joint damage is pain in the lower back, hips, and thighs. This pain may become worse when rising from a sitting position. When non-surgical treatments such as medications and physical therapy are not effective at relieving pain, surgery may be considered as an option.
During SI joint fusion, a small incision is made on the side of the buttock near the hip. The surgeon removes the cartilage, a firm, smooth substance between the bones. Then the joint is fused by the placement of rods, screws, or plates that hold the sacrum and the pelvis together. This reinforces the joint, stabilizing the pelvis and helping to support the upper body. Patients may be able to stand and walk the very next day after surgery but will need crutches to get around for the first few weeks. Full recovery and return to normal activities takes up to a year as the tissue around the joint grows and heals.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injury medicine is a branch of medicine that treats damage to the spinal cord from an injury or a nontraumatic myelopathy, which is any disorder that affects the spinal area. The spinal cord is a section of nerve tissue protected by the vertebrae (spinal bones). Trauma to the spinal cord, typically caused by compression or bent vertebrae, prevents the body and brain from communicating. This can result in pain, loss of sensation, and impaired physical function and movement. Acute spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are a leading cause of permanent disability. Spinal cord injuries may develop from accidents or myelopathies, disorders that provoke spinal compression. Traumatic incidents such as falls, sports injuries, vehicle accidents, and bullet or stab wounds can cause an acute spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord injury medicine seeks to stabilize the spine and to alleviate the symptoms of spine damage. Practitioners of spinal cord injury medicine are called spinal cord injury specialists. Spinal cord injury medicine is an interdisciplinary field, meaning physicians of various specialties may be trained to treat spinal cord injuries.
Damage to the spinal cord may initially be diagnosed through X-ray, MRI, or CT scans. Patients can also undergo spinal exams to evaluate their sensory ability and strength. Injuries to the spinal cord can be complete (no feeling or sensation) or incomplete (some feeling or sensation remains). Conditions spinal cord injury medicine specialists may treat include:
Treatment for spinal cord injuries often involves surgery, either directly after an injury occurs or at a later date. Surgery for spine injuries is intended to ease spinal compression and stabilize the spine. Surgical procedures can involve shifting vertebrae, removing bone, or altering spinal placement with implantable devices. Patients with significant spinal trauma may require urgent surgical intervention.
Surgical treatments can be complemented by rehabilitative physical therapy to improve mobility. Spinal cord injury specialists also treat complications arising from a spinal injury, such as respiratory or bladder conditions. Some patients with spinal cord injuries may require lifelong treatment. Spinal cord injury specialists aim to help these patients successfully adjust and lead an improved quality of life. An emerging treatment for spinal cord injuries is neural prosthetics, which replicate patients' lost nerve function. Neural prostheses may be used as artificial body parts or assistive devices that patients may cognitively control. Other assistive devices include wheelchairs and scooters.
Spinal cord injury specialists may collaborate with physical therapists, radiologists, neurologists, urologists, and orthopedists.
Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.
Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.
Risk factors for stroke include:
There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.
Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.
Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:
-Disorientation or confusion
-Difficulty speaking
-Difficulty walking
-Impaired vision
-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms
-Severe headaches
When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.
Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.
Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.
Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.
If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.
Dr. Rizwan Tahir, MD graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 2013. He completed residency at Henry Ford Hospital. He has a state license in Illinois.
Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine (2013)
Residency: Henry Ford Hospital (2020)
Licensed In: Illinois
Dr. Rizwan Tahir, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Rizwan Tahir, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Aetna Medicare PPO, CIGNA EPO, CIGNA Indemnity, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), Medicare Advantage, MAMSI, AARP, Coventry National Network PPO, Aetna, United Healthcare Choice Plus, Blue Choice, United Healthcare Choice, First Health PPO, TRICARE Prime, United Healthcare, Great-West Healthcare, Medicaid, Cigna, TRICARE, Coventry, Aetna Managed Choice POS, First Health, Aetna HMO, Kaiser Permanente, Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO), MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice, Medicare Fee for Service, Choice Fund PPO, CFBSBC Blue Preferred PPO, M.D. IPA (HMO), CFBCBS (NCA) Indemnity, Open HMO, M.D. IPA Preferred (POS), POS OA & OA Plus, MedStar Select (MedStar Associates' Plan), Network OA, Innovation Health: PPO, Opoen HMO Option, CFBCBS Maryland Indemnity or PPO, CFBCBS EPO, Innovation Health: Indemnity, Innovation Health: POS, CFBCBS Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS), Innovation Health: Open POS Plus, Choice POS & Choice POS II, Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network, HealthyBlue PPO, United Student Resources, CFBCBS Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus), Open EPO Plus, Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus, Open POS II, Innovation Health: POS Plus and PPO and PPO Plus.
According to our sources, Dr. Rizwan Tahir, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Rizwan Tahir, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 5.0 out of 5 stars based on 1 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Rizwan Tahir, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Washington, DC.
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Rizwan Tahir, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
Medtronic USA, Inc. |
$50,000
Covidien-Access $50,000 |
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AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP |
$683
BRILINTA $683 |
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DePuy Synthes Sales Inc. |
$363
CERTAS $212 |
EXPEDIUM $55 |
EMBOTRAP $34 |
EMBOTRAP II Revascularization Device $34 |
Cerenovus Enterprise $16 |
Other $11 |
Integra LifeSciences Corporation |
$171
DuraSeal Exact $139 |
CODMAN HAKIM Precision Valve $32 |
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BIOVENTUS LLC |
$130
OsteoAMP $130 |
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Other |
$146
Trintellix $74 |
Target $44 |
Bendini $28 |
Grant | $50,000 |
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Food and Beverage | $1,492 |
Dr. Rizwan Tahir is a specialist in neurosurgery. His areas of expertise include steroid injections, cyst removal, and meningioma. He can take several insurance carriers, including Blue California, Coventry, and Coventry Health Care Plans. After completing medical school at Wayne State University School of Medicine, Dr. Tahir performed his residency at Henry Ford Hospital. Dr. Tahir (or staff) is conversant in Urdu. Dr. Tahir's hospital/clinic affiliations include MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, HCA Virginia, and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Doctor.com reports that he is accepting new patients at his office in Baltimore, MD.