Alvarado Hospital Introduces New Program For Patients With Back, Neck And Spine Disorders

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 20 Jul 2009 - 3:00 PST

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To improve access to highly specialized care and to further its commitment to patients suffering from spine-related disorders, Alvarado Hospital has opened the Advanced Spine Institute & Minimally Invasive Spine Center, a multi-specialty "one-stop" center dedicated to providing world-class care to patients with back, neck and complex spinal problems.

As part of the Advanced Spine Institute launch, the hospital opened SpineZone, an outpatient center that specializes in an evidence-based, outcomes-driven program. State-of-the-art exercise technology and unique approaches to rehabilitation are the hallmarks of this new outpatient facility located at Alvarado Hospital.

In addition to a team of fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons, the hospital has assembled a group of spine specialists, including neurosurgeons, neurologists, pain management and rehabilitation specialists, psychologists, sleep specialists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.

"Back pain and spinal-related disorders are a modern-day epidemic," said Choll Kim, M.D., who has joined the center from UCSD Medical Center, where he is an associate clinical professor of surgery and conducted basic science and clinical research for the last several years. "Four out of five adults will experience back pain during their life. Today, we can offer those who suffer from back pain solutions that are far less traumatic, all in one single location," added Dr. Kim, considered a pioneer in minimally invasive spine surgery. He is currently the executive director of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery.

Typical spine conditions the team treats include herniated discs or "pinched nerves," degenerative disc disease, failed back syndrome, sciatica, spinal stenosis, cervical pain, scoliosis and spondylolisthesis.

"The combination of advanced technology and less-invasive treatments allows us to give patients with spinal injuries significant relief from their pain," said Kam Raiszadeh, M.D., medical director of the Advanced Spine Institute.

Source
Alvarado Hospital