Dr. Carter Smith Gerard, MD is a neurosurgeon in Knoxville, TN specializing in neurosurgery. He graduated from University of Louisville School of Medicine in 2010 and has 14 years of experience. Dr. Carter Smith Gerard, MD is affiliated with Covenant Health, University Physicians' Association, Inc., The University of Tennessee Medical Center, Parkwest Medical Center and NEUROSURGICAL ASSOCIATES PC.
1932 Alcoa Highway Suite 360
Knoxville, TN 37920
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a procedure performed to help treat neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy. Electrode leads are surgically implanted in the brain and connected to a device, called a neurostimulator (deep brain stimulator), that is placed underneath the skin (subcutaneously). The deep brain stimulator can send electrical signals through the electrodes to the brain to restore normal rhythms, or it can block electrical signals in specific areas of the brain to restore functioning. Although not a cure, DBS can treat symptoms of movement disorders such as pain and tremor when medication fails to work.
DBS surgery may be completed in one operating session, but it is more commonly performed in two parts. In the first stage of the procedure, the surgeon will map targets in the brain using CT or MRI imaging to determine where to place the electrodes. Then, by drilling holes into the skull, the surgeon will place the electrodes into specific areas in the brain. The holes will be closed, and patients will require 1-2 days to recover in the hospital. After about two weeks, patients will undergo another surgery to have the deep brain stimulator implanted. The stimulator is usually placed under the skin around the collarbone, chest, or abdomen, and it will be connected to the DBS electrodes through a subcutaneous wire. No component of the DBS system will be visible from outside. Following stimulator implantation, patients may need to recover in the hospital for 1-2 days.
Within 2-4 weeks of the operation, doctors will program the stimulator using a wireless device. Patients will work with their doctor to determine the most effective settings for the stimulator during follow-up visits. Patients will be given a handheld device so that they can turn the stimulator on or off and adjust its settings themselves. The stimulator may have a rechargeable battery, in which case patients will be given a charging unit. Stimulator batteries generally need to be replaced in 3-5 years.
Hydrocephalus
Normally, the brain is bathed in a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid cushions and nurtures the brain cells as it flows around and through the brain. Sometimes, cerebrospinal fluid does not get reabsorbed into the body properly, or a blockage in the brain can stop it from flowing. This causes a buildup of pressure called hydrocephalus. This condition affects a wide range of people, but it is much more prevalent among infants and older adults. Left untreated, hydrocephalus can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as headaches and blurred vision, and eventually may cause brain damage.
Hydrocephalus is most often treated with an implanted device called a shunt. A shunt is a long, thin tube that is used to drain excess fluid. One end is placed within the brain. The tube runs under the skin, along the neck behind the ear, and to another part of the body where the fluid can be reabsorbed. Most often this is the abdomen, but the chest or other areas can also be used. Shunts have a valve that allows doctors to monitor and control the pressure within the brain. Insertion of a shunt is a surgical procedure that takes one to two hours. Incisions are made in the head and the abdomen, and the shunt is threaded into place before the openings are stitched closed.
In cases where hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage, a procedure called endoscopic third ventriculostomy, or ETV, may be performed. During this procedure, a surgeon makes a dime-sized hole in the skull and uses a thin tube with a camera on the end (called an endoscope) to see inside the brain. The surgeon punctures a hole in the floor of the third ventricle, a fluid-filled space within the brain. The hole provides an opening for cerebrospinal fluid to flow around the blockage, normalizing pressure. The entire procedure usually takes less than an hour and patients can often go home the following day. ETV can provide a permanent and safe alternative to a shunt, but it is only useful for patients whose hydrocephalus is caused by a blockage.
Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Carter Smith Gerard, MD for Medicare patients.
The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Carter Smith Gerard, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Knoxville, TN were X-rays, spinal procedures, hospital care and inpatient care.
| 11 | |
| 157 | |
| 25 | |
| 20 | |
| 25 | |
| 11 | |
| 20 | |
| 44 | |
| 44 |
Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Carter Smith Gerard, MD.
| 24 | |
| 23 |
| 34 | |
| 1 | |
| 13 | |
| 3 | |
| 5 | |
| 20 |
The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Carter Smith Gerard, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and chronic kidney disease.
| 30 | |
| 24 | |
| 2 | |
| 8 | |
| 13 | |
| 8 | |
| 1 | |
| 4 | |
| 1 | |
| 6 | |
| 2 | |
| 1 | |
| 3 |
Dr. Carter Smith Gerard, MD graduated from University of Louisville School of Medicine in 2010. He completed residency at Rush University Medical Center. He is certified by the Neurosurgery and has a state license in Illinois.
Medical School: University of Louisville School of Medicine (2010)
Residency: Rush University Medical Center (2016)
Board Certification: Neurosurgery
Licensed In: Illinois
Dr. Carter Smith Gerard, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Carter Smith Gerard, MD does not have any reviews yet, be the first to leave a review of Dr. Carter Smith Gerard, MD here: Leave a Review
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Carter Smith Gerard, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
|
$50,567
Precision $50,000 |
VERCISE $189 |
GENERAL - DBS $180 |
GENERAL DBS $113 |
SPECTRA WAVEWRITER $54 |
Other $31 |
|
|
$25,932
ACTIVA $25,686 |
VECTRIS $228 |
SYNCHROMED $18 |
||||
|
$532
THORACO-LUMBAR $214 |
CAPRI Corpectomy Cage System $159 |
YUKON OCT Spinal System $159 |
||||
|
$417
RNS System $394 |
RNSSystem $22 |
|||||
|
$295
UNiD $134 |
MAZOR X SYSTEM $66 |
PIVOX Oblique Lateral Spinal System $63 |
SENSIGHT $21 |
INTELLIS $10 |
||
|
$697
Senza Spinal Cord Stimulation System $121 |
Neuro-Ultrasonic Aspiration Products $120 |
CODMAN HAKIM Precision Valve $114 |
Advanced Energy Cutting Device $114 |
Mobi-C $52 |
Other $175 |
| $75,000 | |
| $3,426 | |
| $13 |
Dr. Carter Gerard practices neurosurgery in Knoxville, TN. He graduated from the University of Louisville School of Medicine. He is professionally affiliated with the University Physicians' Association, Inc., The University of Tennessee Medical Center, and Covenant Health.
