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.

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.

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.