Spine Care Institute established by Hospital for Special Surgery

Nov 16 2009

Hospital for Special Surgery today announced the establishment of one of the most comprehensive centers of excellence in the country for the treatment of all nonoperative and operative spine disorders.

The newly formed Spine Care Institute brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts in an academic setting to ensure that every need is met for a patient with a spine condition.

Back pain is a widespread problem affecting 8 out of 10 people in the U.S. at some point in their lives. Recent advances in spine imaging and diagnostic techniques as well as new surgical and nonsurgical treatments, can give patients an accurate diagnosis as well as a wide range of treatment options.

"The mission of our Institute is to bring together a highly renowned team of spine care specialists who, through their clinical practice, research and education, provide the highest standard of comprehensive patient care and are opening new frontiers in the diagnosis and treatment of spine disorders," said Thomas P. Sculco, M.D., Surgeon-in-Chief at Hospital for Special Surgery.

The Institute has dedicated specialists in surgery, neurology, physiatry, rehabilitation, pain management, anesthesia, radiology and integrative/complementary medicine to ensure the highest quality and most comprehensive evaluation and treatment.

"If and when a patient requires surgery, our Institute has 15 spine surgeons who can address the most routine as well as the most complex spine disorders using minimally invasive techniques whenever possible," Dr. Sculco said.

Long recognized as a world leader in treating spine disorders, Hospital for Special Surgery now has 29 active clinical trials for the evaluation of innovative approaches for spine conditions currently in progress.

HSS physicians have subspecialty training in pediatric and adult spine conditions—both acute and chronic. Areas of particular focus include:

•Degenerative conditions (disc herniation, stenosis)
•Deformities (scoliosis, spondylolisthesis and kyphosis)
•Infections
•Metabolic diseases (osteoporosis and osteopenia)
•Fractures

"Patients who suffer from spine disorders often find it difficult to get answers to their questions in one central location," said Frank P. Cammisa, Jr., M.D., chief of the Spine Service at Hospital for Special Surgery. "They find it challenging to navigate their way through the many treatment options that are now available to them. The Spine Care Institute concentrates the extensive experience and standards of excellence that exist at HSS, making it convenient and more accessible to patients.

"Our goal is to help the patient who does not need surgery to have as limited a disability as possible. For the patient who does need surgery, our goal is to make that surgery as safe and efficacious as possible," Dr. Cammisa added.

Advances in diagnostic imaging combined with vast orthopedic patient experience have enabled Hospital for Special Surgery to earn a reputation for excellence in accurate diagnosis.

"Conventional radiographs (x-rays), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) examinations provide the ability to more closely see and understand those parts of the spine that may be causing pain," explained Helene Pavlov, M.D., radiologist-in-chief at HSS. "The technical expertise combined with years of dedicated spine and musculoskeletal experience in interpretation of these images by the HSS radiologist enables precise objective information on which clinical decisions and surgical planning can be determined."