The Spine Center at Orthopedic Institute

A TEAM APPROACH TO CARE

Four out of five Americans will have an attack of back pain during their lifetime. Many people are doomed to endless visits to the back doctor. That's because once you have your first back pain attack, you are four times more likely to have a recurrence. If you have back or neck pain, we are in a position to help.

The Spine Center at O.I. is a multidisciplinary, regional center of excellence for the treatment of back and neck problems. Orthopedic Institute physicians are able to care for any type of back or neck problem, from the simple back or neck strain all the way to the most complex spine surgery. The Spine Center includes physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) physicians dedicated to the nonsurgical management of spine problems, spine surgeons who can handle complex spine problems and spine-specialized physical therapists and diagnostics — all under one roof.

A nonsurgical approach to back and neck pain

What makes our spine center unique is its emphasis on a nonsurgical approach to back and neck problems. The Spine Center at O.I. has specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation (also called physiatrists) who are specialized in pain management treatment options. These physicians have advanced training in back and neck pain and are successful in helping people return to activity—without surgery.

However, if your back or neck problem requires surgery, The Spine Center at Orthopedic Institute has orthopedic surgeons who are fellowship-trained in spine surgery. These spine surgeons are referred the area's most complex surgical cases.

Pain relief through a focus on function

Pain is a signal from the body to the brain that something is wrong. Either the back is too weak, too inflexible, something lifted was too heavy or the wrong body mechanics were used. And, unfortunately, those doctors who focus exclusively on pain symptoms often recommend a course of treatment that is the exact opposite of what the individual needs to recover from the back problem.

Years ago, for example, doctors treated back pain with bed rest and heavy drugs to mask the discomfort. It was found, however, that this type of treatment was actually damaging to the back, because it caused muscles in the back to get weaker, in turn, causing more strain and pain. Patients became more dependent on drugs and grew more inactive and disabled.

In fact, pain relief actually can come through movement. Low-impact sports like walking and swimming are the best way to make the back feel better and stronger.

Working with a therapist may also be necessary for a recovery from back or neck pain. A therapist is trained to know how hard a patient can push themselves. They are able to relieve pain with specialized therapy techniques, tissue and joint mobilization and special exercises that can relieve pain symptoms.

Orthopedic Institute recognizes that recovering from back and neck pain is best accomplished with an emphasis on exercise.

An internal pain specialist is often able to relieve some back and neck pain symptoms with special injections that enable a patient to bridge to therapy. Spine specialized therapists in turn use customized hands-on treatments to relieve pain symptoms, along with special exercises to help make the back stronger, more flexible and resistant to injury. If non-surgical treatments are not successful, Orthopedic Institute surgeons are trained and proficient in the latest techniques in minimally invasive spine surgery.

Orthopedic Institute physicians are able to care for any type of back or neck problem, from the simple back or neck strain to the most complex spine surgery.

In some cases, a patient may have emergency symptoms that need to be seen within 24 hours by a spine specialist. This can include numbness, weakness or pain that extends down a leg or arm past the knee or elbow, or when you have loss of control of bowel or bladder. Secondly, any time a person has suffered a traumatic injury like an abrupt fall or car accident that causes back or neck pain, this is an emergency signal. This educational web site covers many of these symptoms related to back or neck pain problems.

Our Spine Physicians

Walter O. Carlson, M.D. K.C. Chang, M.D. Mitchell C. Johnson, D.O. Matthew J. McKenzie, M.D. Robert C. Suga, M.D. All patients at Orthopedic Institute's Spine Center receive a free 36-page Home Remedy Book for back and neck pain as part of their visit

Orthopedic Institute Sioux Falls has clinic locations in Brookings, Dell Rapids, Flandreau, Freeman, Huron, Madison, Mitchell, Vermillion, Yankton and Sioux Falls South Dakota. With additional clinic locations in the Iowa cities of Rock Rapids, Rock Valley, Sibley as well as a location in Marshall, Minnesota. Orthopedic Institute is the largest orthopedic specialty group in the region. In addition to general orthopedics, areas of focus include back and neck pain, leg, foot, and ankle, knee or hip pain, as well as shoulder, arm, and hand problems. The group also specializes in knee and hip joint replacement, spine treatment, pediatrics, and offers physical medicine and physical therapy.

NO PHYSICIAN REFERRAL IS NEEDED UNLESS REQUIRED BY YOUR INSURANCE

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