Struggling with back or neck pain?

The MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute can help

An aching back. A stiff neck. Most of us have experienced these painful episodes, whether from twisting the wrong way in a softball game or spending too many hours hunched over a cell phone. “People suffer for a really long time and decide to see a doctor only when they can’t tolerate the pain any longer, or they

have a loss of mobility that impacts their lives, like walking, shopping or working,” said Seth Ellis, RN, vice president of clinical integration at the MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute, a leading provider in spine-related issues at the MemorialCare hospitals in Long Beach, Fountain Valley and Laguna Hills.

“Our doctors and care teams understand this and offer treatment to restore the best and highest functional level possible,” Ellis explained.

Most patients are referred by their primary physicians to the Institute for evaluation and care; others come by way of the emergency room.

MemorialCare Orthopedic & Spine Institute physicians will perform a physical exam, take a medical history, and prescribe imaging such as CT scans or MRIs to find the cause of the pain. Sprains and strains are common causes of temporary discomfort.

“The majority of back pain cases can be resolved with rest, heat, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy,” Ellis said. “The pain usually goes away in about six weeks.”

Longer-lasting pain and other symptoms might indicate more serious problems. Discs are the shock absorbers of the spine and are located between the vertebrae; when a disc ruptures, it can push into the spinal canal and put pressure on the nerve.

Discs may also be damaged by bone fractures and tumors and can deteriorate over time from a vitamin deficiency, the narrowing of the spinal canal, thinning of cartilage from arthritis, or an autoimmune disease.

Symptoms can include weakness or paralysis, loss of sensation in part of the body, changes in reflex movements, chronic muscle spasms, and difficulty walking or accomplishing everyday tasks. Longer lasting pain and other symptoms might indicate more serious problems and further investigation by a physician specialist.

The institute coordinates, integrates and supports MemorialCare’s comprehensive spine program. Each hospital has patient navigators, experienced highly trained surgeons, and full rehabilitation programs for post-operative recovery. Treatment plans are personalized for individual patient needs, and may include a physiatrist (a doctor specializing in nonsurgical treatments and physical rehabilitation) or a therapy pool with instruction by aquatic exercise experts.

“Along with orthopedic specialists, neurosurgeons, other physicians and their teams, MemorialCare hospitals have a cadre of therapists: physical therapists, occupational therapists, pain managers and psychologists,” Ellis added. “We have the facilities, expert physicians, technology, and professional staff to make a quick diagnosis. If surgery is needed, we have advanced imaging equipment and robotics to assist the physicians in optimizing diagnosis and outcomes.”

“Medical teams collaborate on patient care and the MemorialCare hospitals provide education and customized assistance navigating patients through the steps up to and after treatment,” Ellis said. “Every patient is different, and getting the information needed for a correct diagnosis is key. With the Institute’s expertise across MemorialCare hospitals, we offer care for the very best outcome — close to home.”