Locations
Atlanta Brain and Spine Care
Atlanta, GA
About
Bio
Dr. Frankel completed medical school at NYU School of Medicine in 1992 and completed neurosurgery training at Emory University Department of Neurosurgery. He has been in practice since 1999, caring for patients with surgical disorders of the spine and brain.
In that time his dedication to his profession has made him one of the most experienced brain and spine surgeons in this highly demanding field. However, his academic and research accomplishments are only a part of what makes Dr. Frankel a renowned surgeon. The other part is his compassion for his patients. Dr. Frankel is committed to achieving the best outcome for each patient based on their individual needs.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Neurosurgery
Doctor Q&A
127 Answers
31 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Bulging disc: As discs age they lose water and become less resilient. This causes broad based bulging of the disc. The ligament on the outer part of the disc (annul... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Back pain: Pregnancy will put stress on the spine that can cause back pain. This can be more severe in patients with juvenile ddd. Keep active and try to keep a ... Read More
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 70-year-old female asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Depends: Depends on cancer type and stage. Talk to your oncologists.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Depends on job: One can return to jobs with low physical activty as soon as a few weeks after discectomy. High intensity physical labor can require 3-4 months or mor... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Cervical disc surger: This is an operation designed to remove a disc in the neck. It is usually performed for a herniated disc pressing on a nerve or spinal cord.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Exam, MRI: If your complaints and physical examination suggest a disc herniation, the diagnosis can be confirmed with an mri.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Several possibilitie: From least severe to most severe: back pain, pain/numbness/tingling in legs, weakness in defined muscles of legs/calves/feet. Change of brel and bladd... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 28-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Facial pain: This is a facial pain syndrome that don't not fall into the classic pattern of trigeminal neuralgia. It is often more difficult to treat than tn as we... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Yes: Nonsurgical treatments include physical therapy, traction and steroid injections. These can often make symptoms resolve without surgery. However, if s... Read More
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Probably not: Usually general anesthetics suppress seizures rather than make you more susceptible to them. However some medications can lower your seizure threshold... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Experimental: Deep brain stimulation surgery is being studied with some promising early data. It is not yet routinely done, but an academic medical center with an a... Read More
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
It's possible: Though it is extremely rare, childbirth can be associated with hemorrhages in the brain.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Depends on symptoms: Depending on the size, symptoms and location, treatment can include anything from observation to an open craniotomy (opening up the head to remove the... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
No: Herniated discs can cause bowel or bladder control issues in very severe cases, but will not cause prostatitis.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Depend on tumor type: Treating for growing tumors depends on the type of tumor, location and what treatments have already been tried. Combinations of surgery, radiation and... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Functional surgery: Usually surgery takes the form of deep brain stimulation (dbs) of the globus pallidus (gp), thalamus or subthalamic nucleus. Lesioning of the gp or th... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
No: Surgery can prevent more damage, but will not fix damage already present.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
It can: Severe shoulder pain is a common symptom seen in cervical disc herniations. There can be further radiation of pain down the arm as well.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
There are a few: Non surgical treatment includes physical therapy, oral medications, traction and epidural steroids. Surgery includes disc arthroplasty(artificial disc... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
No: A sipped or herniated disc doesn't make the body look any different unless the patient finds the pain to be less if they position themselves in an unu... Read More
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Remove herniated bit: For a lumbar herniation the surgery involves removing a small amount of bone. This gives access to the spinal nerves which are then moved aside to acc... Read More
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
No: Aside from keeping weight well controlled, diet should not play a major role in spinal stenosis.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Leg pain: Classic symptoms for lumbar stenosis are leg pain with exertion. This improves with rest and with leaning forward. It is common to notice that you can... Read More
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Surgery for spastici: This is an operation for people with spasticity such as cerebral palsy. Sensory nerves are stimulated and the nerves abnormal nerves are cut to try to... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Core muscle strength: You need to do abdominal and low back strengthening and flexibility training. There are certain exercise regimens that are designed to stabilize the c... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Yes: Any of those conditions as well as others can cause tetraplegia.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Similar tumor class: They are both subtypes of glial tumors. However their behavior depends on what grade tumor they are.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
No: A light pat on the head won't cause a concussion.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Probably not: In general there is no surgery for common headaches.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Yes: The most common positions that people with herniated discs find comfortable are lying on their back with a pillow under their knees, or lying in a fet... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Yes: Tylenol (acetaminophen) is good for herniated disc pain. Other useful medications are Ibuprofen and Aleve (naproxen) (naprosyn). Be sure to follow the... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Many factors: Depends on how many levels performed, as well as age and general health of patient. On average i would say 3-6 months depending on where you fall into... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Depends: Depends on size and type of cyst and whether is is growing or not changing in size.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old male asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Correct: People with bacterial meningitis are very sick. Severe headache, fever, neck stiffness and severe sensitivity to normal levels of light are common fin... Read More
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
None: Keep your weight normal. This is all you can do. That type of neck appearance is likely more due to genetics than anything else.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 53-year-old female asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
There are a number: Gabapentin and Trileptal are common. Clonazepam, Dilantin and Baclofen are less effective. Some a combination of these meds are used.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 49-year-old female asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
A short time: The brain makes about a pint of cerebrospinal fluid per day. It constantly circulates and is reabsorbed back into the bloodstream. Any spinal fluid lo... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old female asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Arachnoiditis: Clumping of nerves in the lower spine is usually due to scarring known as arachnoiditis. Often there are no symptoms. If there are symptoms they can b... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old male asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Simple things first: Start with limiting activity and taking anti inflammatories first if you can. This can be followed with physical therapy. If necessary, epidural stero... Read More
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Muscle pain: Mostly likely is that muscles stiffened up while lying down. Stretching exercises are generally useful in minimizing muscle pain.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Brain abnormality : This is an abnormality that is usually congenital. The back lowest compartment in the skull is slightly inadequate in size to contain the brain. The b... Read More
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Possibly: There are many types of surgery to repair nerve damage. Time off from work depends on what the operation is being done. Minor surgery may need little ... Read More
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old female asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Neurosurgeon: You will have to research this a bit, as many neurosurgeons do not operate on this disorder. There is mixed opinion as to the efficacy of surgery.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 52-year-old female asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Probably: Nondisplaced facet/pars fractures usually can be successfully treated in a rigid brace like a miami j collar. Only someone who has examined you and lo... Read More
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Degree of severity: A bulge is when the disc has lost some water content and has lost some of its ability to resist the pressure pushing down on it. A herniation is when ... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Indirectly: Spinal stenosis can only directly injure the nerves running past the narrowed area in the spine. If the nerves are badly damaged enough! there can be ... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Yes: Anti-inflammatories can be very helpful in controlling the pain and inflammation associated with disc herniation.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
It may: Firm mattresses have traditionally been felt to be better for people for back problems, but there really is no data that definitively proves this to b... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Anywhere in the spin: Spinal stenosis is most common in the low back and neck, since these are the most mobile areas of the spine. However it does occur in the thoracic (mi... Read More
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Roger Frankelanswered
Neurosurgery 30 years experience
Brain tumor: Gliomas are brain tumors that arise from glial cells in the brain. They can be low grade or very malignant. Brainstem gloom as are a subtype that most... Read More
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
5
Recommendations
366
Thank you notes
Dec 26, 2018
Roger is a partner in the premier neurosurgery practice in Atlanta. He has always provided excellent care to my patients.
Sep 20, 2013
Thank you so much Dr. Frankel for sharing your expertise with us!
Mar 11, 2013
Great doctor.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I ended up with Neuropathy, lymphadema and no singing any more.
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! The clumping is inside the sac. Does that change anything?
HealthTap member
hi i m recrrent pituitary cysts patient.i did two surgerry .i
and show
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
New York University School of Medicine, NY
Graduated 1992MD
Residency
Emory University School of Medicine
Awards
Atlanta Magazine Top Doctor 2011, 2012
US News and World Report Top Doctor 2011, 2012
HealthTap Founding Doctor
Affiliations
Piedmont Hospital Atlanta, GA
Shepherd Center Atlanta, GA
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