Radiculopathy near High Point, NC

Biography: Conrad Braaten is a Internist at Oak Street Health specializing in care for adults on Medicare.

Biography: Dr. James Balvich, MD is an Emergency Medicine Specialist who practices in Thomasville, NC. He is 72 years old and has been practicing for 47 years. Dr. James Balvich, MD is affiliated with Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center.

Biography: Growing up, the medical field was far from my mind. I spent much of my time turning wrenches in my family's auto shop and traveling the country competitively racing go-karts. In high school, I joined my local volunteer rescue squad. It was then that I discovered there was a surgical specialty that involved replacing worn-out joints and fixing broken bones using the same types of tools I had used my whole life. \n I knew then that orthopedics was my future. It was only when I started practicing it that I realized how satisfying it is to restore a patient's function and movement. When I achieve these goals, the sense of elation is akin to winning a national go-kart race. \n I take particular interest in complex joint replacement and revision surgery. These cases take extensive planning and require flawless execution, often involving creative solutions. One of the best ways to come up with those solutions is working closely with each patient. Together, we identify their goals and devise a personalized plan to achieve them. I believe it is my job to educate and offer options, and then make treatment decisions in partnership with my patient. \n My wife and I live in rural Davidson County with our daughter, Sutton, and our dog, Paisley, who is a "doxle," or a dachshund and beagle mix. I will always have a passion for car racing, but over the years I have transitioned to being more of an outdoorsman rather than sitting in the driver's seat. I love fishing and hunting, and have enjoyed introducing my daughter to these activities.

Biography: As a neurosurgeon, I love encountering a problem I can help fix. \n It is so gratifying to know that, after a patient wakes up from surgery, they will soon be able to function better at work, home and in daily life. I find the neurosciences, the brain and the spine fascinating because of everything they control and do for us. I knew for certain I wanted to pursue neurosurgery when I first shadowed neurosurgeons in medical school and saw the meaningful impacts they have on patients' lives. \n I strongly believe in treating my patients the way I would treat my family members. For degenerative spinal disease, that means I try to do the smallest surgery possible to achieve relief. I also emphasize safety and complication prevention. \n Being an active member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, Women in Neurosurgery, the North Carolina Spine Society and the North Carolina Medical Society means I stay current on new and emerging surgical techniques and treatment options, and up to date on the latest research. \n I have participated in research on a range of topics, including stereotactic radiosurgery, MRI-guided-laser ablation surgery, malignant brain tumors and complex spinal surgery. I have also published book chapters on topics that include arachnoid cysts and subdural hematomas. \n I moved to North Carolina to be closer to family. Outside work, I enjoy outdoor activities including hiking, kayaking, gardening and sailing.