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Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD

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Specializes in: Spine Surgery and Neurosurgery

Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College (1987)

Professional interests include: stroke

979 East 3rd Street Suite C-920
Chattanooga, TN 37403

(423) 778-2233

Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD is a spine surgeon in Chattanooga, TN specializing in spine surgery and neurosurgery. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College in 1987 and has 38 years of experience. Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD is affiliated with Erlanger, ERLANGER HEALTH and CHATTANOOGA HAMILTON COUNTY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.

Office Locations

Address:

1010 E 3rd Street Suite 202
Chattanooga, TN 37403

Address:

979 East 3rd Street Suite C-920
Chattanooga, TN 37403

Some issues Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD can help you with:

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:

Heart disease
Older age
Smoking
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol and lipids

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.

brain imaging (neuroimaging)	14
doctor visit	366
hospital care	377
inpatient care	377
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)	56
spinal procedures	111
X-rays	73

**Gender**
Male	138
Female	215

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	319
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	134
From 75 to 84	117
85 and over	29
Less than 65	73

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	21
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	33
Dementia	18
Cancer	11

doctor visit	382
hospital care	254
inpatient care	254
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)	11
spinal procedures	77
X-rays	69

**Gender**
Male	155
Female	203

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	325
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	148
From 75 to 84	108
85 and over	37
Less than 65	65

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	21
Ischemic Heart Disease	37
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	28
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	36
Dementia	14
Cancer	15

doctor visit	212
hospital care	352
inpatient care	352
spinal procedures	4

**Gender**
Male	282
Female	362

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	580
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	252
From 75 to 84	210
85 and over	58
Less than 65	124

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	30
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	37
Dementia	14
Cancer	10

doctor visit	287
hospital care	295
inpatient care	295
spinal procedures	3

**Gender**
Male	159
Female	223

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	344
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	159
From 75 to 84	104
85 and over	43
Less than 65	76

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	24
Ischemic Heart Disease	40
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	28
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	36
Dementia	22
Cancer	13

doctor visit	383
hospital care	99
inpatient care	99
spinal procedures	3

**Gender**
Male	175
Female	210

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	356
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	163
From 75 to 84	112
85 and over	41
Less than 65	69

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	32
Dementia	19
Cancer	12

**Gender**
Male	145
Female	172

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	285
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	142
From 75 to 84	78
85 and over	35
Less than 65	62

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	54
Stroke	17
Ischemic Heart Disease	38
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	34
Dementia	17
Cancer	11

cranial surgery	14
doctor visit	188
hospital care	245
inpatient care	245
spinal procedures	2

**Gender**
Male	146
Female	170

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	291
Black	14
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	138
From 75 to 84	96
85 and over	34
Less than 65	48

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	59
Stroke	29
Ischemic Heart Disease	43
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	35
Dementia	26
Cancer	13

decompression surgery	10
doctor visit	168
hospital care	127
inpatient care	127
nerve procedures	10
spinal procedures	2

**Gender**
Male	127
Female	121

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	228
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	105
From 75 to 84	83
85 and over	26
Less than 65	34

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	28
Ischemic Heart Disease	46
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	44
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	17
Heart Failure	27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	36
Dementia	19
Cancer	13

decompression surgery	10
doctor visit	335
hospital care	187
inpatient care	187
nerve procedures	10
spinal procedures	18

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD treated as a spine surgeon in Chattanooga, TN were hospital care, inpatient care, X-rays and spinal procedures.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	16
brain imaging (neuroimaging)	14
cranial surgery	14
decompression surgery	10
doctor visit	296
hospital care	225
inpatient care	225
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging)	34
neck surgery	16
nerve procedures	10
spinal procedures	34
X-rays	71

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD.

**Gender**
Male	132
Female	167

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	1
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	272
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	30
75 to 84	90
Less than 65	55
65 to 74	124

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension	60
High Cholesterol	44
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	31
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	9
Osteoporosis	8
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	17
Diabetes	27
Atrial Fibrillation	10
Dementia	14
Cancer	9

Education & Training

Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD graduated from Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College in 1987. He completed residency at Emory University Affiliated Hospitals. He has a state license in Tennessee.

Medical School: Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College (1987)

Residency: Emory University Affiliated Hospitals

Licensed In: Tennessee

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Erlanger

ERLANGER HEALTH

CHATTANOOGA HAMILTON COUNTY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.	$500 $500
Globus Medical, Inc.	$107 Spine $107
Mazor Robotics Inc.	$59 $59
NUVASIVE, INC.	$58 ALIF $58
Orthofix International N.V.	$32 Biologics $32
Other	$139 Xtampza ER $26	ANASTOCLIP $22	FIBERGRAFT BG MATRIX $20	VNS Therapy $14	Spinal Cord Neurostimulation - Neuro $12	Other $45

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$837
Travel and Lodging	$58

Biography

Dr. Michael Gallagher is a Chattanooga, TN physician who specializes in spine surgery and neurosurgery. Clinical interests for Dr. Gallagher include stroke. Dr. Gallagher is affiliated with Erlanger. After completing medical school at Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College, he performed his residency at a hospital affiliated with Emory University.

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Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD

Office Locations

Some issues Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD can help you with:

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD in 2013

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD in 2014

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD in 2015

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD in 2016

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD in 2017

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD in 2018

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD in 2019

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD in 2020

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Michael Richard Gallagher, MD From 2013 - 2021

Education & Training

Affiliations & Hospitals

Ratings & Reviews

General Payments

Biography

Spine Surgeons in Nearby Locations

Other Providers in Chattanooga, TN