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The Center for Spine Health

Appointments & referrals: 401-414-BACK (2225)

About Us | Spine Surgeons | Non-surgical Physicians | Testimonials

Our mission is to provide our patients with the highest quality spine care customized to each individual to optimize outcomes and return our patients to active lifestyles. To accomplish this goal, we utilize the most modern, advanced, minimally invasive techniques available. We have the largest dedicated spine team in the region composed of highly-trained spine specialists.

Our comprehensive team includes a team of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and physical therapists working together to provide comprehensive treatment of spinal disorders in adults and children. Our clinical team has specialized expertise in the management of neck and back pain, disc herniations, stenosis, tumors, trauma and scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine). 

The Center for Spine Health approach to back and neck pain 

Recognizing the national trend toward a Center of Excellence approach for complex health problems, University Orthopedics takes a “spine center approach” to back and neck pain.  This includes a multi-disciplinary team of non-surgical spine specialists working with fellowship-trained spine surgeons and spine therapists; a non-surgical emphasis and philosophy of care; advanced capabilities in minimally invasive spine surgery and artificial disc replacement for motion preservation; and an investment in patient education.

This includes providing a symptom guide and a Home Remedy Book as a community service for back and neck pain sufferers across Rhode Island. The internal team of physical medicine and pain management specialists provide spinal injections and other non-surgical treatment options for patients of the spine center. 

The Center for Spine Health at University Orthopedics combines the expertise of  fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeons; a fellowship-trained pediatric scoliosis specialist; Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation specialists who is fellowship-trained in interventional spine care; and physicians who specialize in nonsurgical treatment of back and neck problems. In addition, the spine center includes on-site nurse practitioners and spine physical therapists working together to provide comprehensive treatment of spinal disorders in adults and children. The clinical team has specialized expertise in the management of spinal pain, disc herniations, stenosis, tumors, trauma and scoliosis. The Center for Spine Health at University Orthopedics provides advanced spine care through several offices across Rhode Island including:

  • Middletown, Rhode Island
  • East-Greenwich,  Rhode Island
  • Providence,  Rhode Island
  • Barrington,  Rhode Island
  • Kettle Point,  Rhode Island
  • East Bay,  Rhode Island


Download a Capabilities Overview
on University Orthopedics Spine
Center

A multidisciplinary spine team in multiple locations improves spine care and patient convenience

The problem with spine care is that care is highly fragmented. Too many times, a back pain or neck pain sufferer has to drive around town to multiple locations: a doctor’s office; a diagnostic center; a therapy center; a different location for non-surgical procedures, etc.

The other problem with this fragmented approach, is that the patient receives a treatment recommendation that is biased to the specialty of the physician seen. Patients, employers and health insurance companies desire and deserve a team of clinicians (non-surgeons, physical therapists and surgeons) working together under one roof.

The Center for Spine Health at University Orthopedics provides this team of non-surgical specialists collaborating with fellowship-trained spine surgeons — all under one roof. This spine center approach helps patients exhaust their non-surgical options before surgery is considered.

If surgery is necessary because of a herniated disc or other spine problem, the Center for Spine Health includes five fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeons, the highest level of medical education in the U.S.

Another important aspect of this spine center approach is an investment in patient education. The Center for Spine Health prints and distributes a 36 page Home Remedy Book for patients across Rhode Island. This is also the core component of our recommended Home Exercise Program. Ideally we want every person coming through The Center for Spine Health at University Orthopedics to receive a copy of this book so they understand their exercises and what symptoms need to be evaluated quickly by a spine specialist. This educational guide on home remedies for back pain and neck pain also includes a symptom guide so patients understand emergency symptoms like weakness or numbness in a hand or foot. This overview on home remedies also includes exercises and stretches that help prevent the recurrence of a future attack of back pain or neck pain.



Many patients, for example, don’t understand the significance of arm or leg weakness caused by a spinal problem. While it may be appropriate to use nonoperative measures and watchfully wait for arm or leg pain to resolve, loss of strength in the extremity may need to be treated more quickly and aggressively. In some cases, delaying treatment for a serious neurologic deficit may result in permanent loss of strength and/or sensation.

Center for Spine Health at University Orthopedics also invested in the creation of an online spine encyclopedia on back and neck pain and all the advanced treatment options available today. This content-rich Internet presence includes information on spinal conditions and treatments; an anatomy library; an exercise library; symptom guides; and home remedies for back pain and neck pain.

The Center for Spine Health at University Orthopedics is the only spine center in the State of Rhode Island to be included in a national listing of spine centers of excellence by SpineCenterNetwork.com.

Advanced surgical techniques

If and when spine surgery becomes necessary, the surgeons at the Center for Spine Health at University Orthopedics are trained in the latest minimally invasive techniques. In this type of surgery, smaller incisions are used with less disruption of muscle and soft tissue. These less invasive procedures usually enable a patient to be discharged sooner and recover more quickly with less pain when compared to traditional procedures.

For patients with cervical degenerative disc disease, spine surgeons at University Orthopedics also perform artificial disc replacement surgery in select cases. The artificial disc is one of the most significant advances in the field of spine. The mechanical disc replicates the function of the normal healthy disc.

The spine center also includes spine surgeons who specialize in spinal deformity like scoliosis, kyphosis and flatback syndrome. Consequently, the spine center receives hundreds of referrals of complex patients from across Rhode Island and the Boston region.

Mazor Robotic Surgery System

The Mazor Robotic Surgery System manufactured by Medtronic, one of the world’s largest medical equipment companies, enables the spine surgeon to do advanced planning of a surgery the day before to map out the spine surgery, the fusion and the precise placement of any plates or screws needed in the surgery. Placement of fixation screws in particular can be mapped out in advance to show the optimal angle of screws that is than replicated by the robotic system during the surgery the next day.

EOS®: A Unique Low-Dose 2D/3D Imaging System

In an effort to continue our commitment to providing the highest quality care, University Orthopedics now offers EOS®, a low dose, 2D/3D imaging system dedicated to adult and pediatric patients with musculoskeletal pathologies.

The EOS® system provides low dose, full body, images of patients in a weight-bearing, functional position. It is a bi-planar device that is based on two perpendicular X-ray beams that travel vertically while scanning the patient from head to toe. In a few seconds, the EOS exam produces two simultaneous frontal and lateral, low-dose images of the patient’s entire body without magnification or stitching. Read more here.

Spine Navigation and 3D Imaging

Most people who have watched a 3D movie on a big screen, will agree that it is a pretty cool technology. When it comes to 3D imaging for spine navigation to asist with complex spine surgeries, physicians and patients would both agree that this technology is a welcome addition to the operating room as well.

Dr. Alan Daniels, Dr. Craig Eberson and Dr. Phillip Lucas at the University Orthopedics Spine Center in Rhode Island now apply the power of navigation technology to spine surgery. The Spine Navigation System places the spine surgeons at University Orthopedics at the forefront of computer assisted surgery for spine in the nation. Read more here.

spine navigation technology for spine surgery in rhode island, 3d imaging used by spine surgeons during surgery
Image below shows pedicle screw planning.Image used courtesy Stryker® Corporation. All rights reserved.

The Center of Spine Health is a contributor to The International Spine Study Group. The ISSG is an international organization comprised of leading spine surgeons and researchers dedicated to advancing the field of spinal surgery and promoting evidence-based practices. The group focuses on collaborative research, data collection, and the development of treatment guidelines for spinal disorders. Learn more.

SPINE SURGEONS

Alan Daniels, MD

Alan Daniels, MD
Chief, Division of Spine Surgery
Adult Spine & Deformity Surgery

Biography

Bryce Basques, MD

Bryce Basques, MD
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
Director of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Biography

Simon Chao, MD

Simon Chao, MD
Board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Adult Spinal Surgeon

Biography

John Czerwein, MD

John Czerwein, MD
Board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Adult Spine Sugery

Biography

Bassel Diebo, MD

Bassel Diebo, MD
Spine and Scoliosis Surgeon
Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics

Biography

craig eberson, MD

Craig Eberson, MD
Chief, Division of Pediatric Orthopedics
Pediatrics Orthopedics & Spine Surgery

Biography

Dominic Thomas Kleinhenz, M.D.

Dominic Kleinhenz, MD
Board-eligible Orthopedic Surgeon
Adult Spine Sugery

Biography

Eren Kuris, MD

Eren Kuris, MD
Board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Director, Spine Trauma, Tumor and Infection

Biography

Phillip Lucas, MD

Phillip Lucas, MD
Board-certified Orthopedic Surgeon
Adult Spine Surgery

Biography

NON-SURGICAL SPINE PHYSICIANS

Ron Avraham, MD

Ron Avraham, MD
Board-certified PM&R
Interventional Pain and Spine

Biography

David Bica, DO, CAQ

David Bica, DO, CAQ
Board-certified Family Medicine
Board-certified Sports Medicine

Biography

Zachary Bohart, MD

Zachary Bohart, MD
Board-certified PM&R
Interventional Pain and Spine

Biography

George Pasquarello, DO

George Pasquarello, DO
Board-certified in Neuromusculoskeletal and Osteopathy

Biography

Philip Salko, MD

Philip Salko, MD
Board-certified in Family Medicine
Interventional Pain Mnagement

Biography

Matthew J. Smith, MD

Matthew J. Smith, MD
Board-certified PM&R
Fellowship-Trained in Spine & Sports Medicine

Biography

Shiqiang “Chris” Tian, MD

Shiqiang “Chris” Tian, MD
Board-certified PM&R
Interventional Pain and Spine

Biography

Anthony Wong, MD

Anthony Wong, MD
Board-certified in Anesthesiology
Board-certified in Pain Medicine

Biography

Testimonials

Joe's Story

Firefighting, life guarding and playing hockey are a few activities that define Joe's active lifestyle. When severe back pain prevented Joe from doing the things he loved he turned to the Center for Spine Health at University Orthopedics and adult spine surgeon Dr. Alan Daniels to get his life back. This is Joe's story.

Grace's Story

Sometimes surgery at University Orthopedics can be life changing. That was the case with recent patient Grace. After several failed surgeries she suffered from severe spinal deformity and lived a difficult and painful life with a hunchback posture. Grace turned to adult spine specialist Dr. Alan Daniels. This is Grace's story.

Eloise's Story

Hip Spine Syndrome left Eloise perpetually bent over. After years of suffering and multiple doctor visits, she met University Orthopedics' spine surgeon, Dr. Alan Daniels and Dr. Bassel Diebo - two of the few people who could actually treat her issue. Here's her myUOIstory

Mike's Story

Mike endured years of leg and back pain before meeting University Orthopedics spine surgeon Dr. Bryce Basques. Dr. Basques tried physical therapy and injections before performing a same-day, minimally invasive spine surgery to correct Mike's problem. Learn more about this procedure and Mike's story in this video.

Christine's Story

Christine - a labor and delivery nurse and a fitness instructor - was delivered from her back pain after turning to University Orthopedics spine surgeon Dr. Alan Daniels. She had tried other treatments, but they all failed. She found relief immediately after her spinal fusion surgery. Dr. Daniels performed Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Alice's Story

Alice is the owner of an antiques store in Maine. Alice had a severe spine deformity that made everyday tasks nearly impossible. That's when she turned to UOI spine surgeons, Drs. Daniels, Lucas, and Kuris. Now, she's sharing her journey back to spine health and why she chose The Center for Spine Health at University Orthopedics