The Spine Center at Northwest Hospital is dedicated to the specialized, comprehensive management of degenerative and acute conditions of the spine.   The multidisciplinary Spine Team has expertise in neck and back problems as well as spinal disorders that affect the upper and lower extremities.   

Physicians specializing in spinal surgery, neurosurgery and rehabilitative medicine are joined by registered nurses, physician and occupational therapists, neurologists, rheumatologists, radiologists, dietitians and social workers on the Northwest spinal team.

Spinal Disorders
Medical staff evaluate and treat all spinal disorders affecting bones, muscles and nerves resulting from either trauma, illness or aging, including:

• Degenerative disc disease (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
• Herniated discs (cervical, thoracic, lumbar)
• Arthritis of the spine (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid)
• Osteoporosis of the spine
• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of spinal canal)
• Spinal deformities (scoliosis, kyphosis)
• Spinal injuries
• Myofascial pain (inflammation of muscles and ligaments)
• Pinched nerves

Managing Spinal Disorders
The Spine Center staff work to help you resume normal activities.  A long-range plan of care may include conservative measures such as injections, oral medications and physical therapy.  Physical and occupational therapists work to recover maximum function through exercise and the use of special equipment.   

Spine Center skilled surgeons perform the most advanced techniques to manage and resolve certain spinal conditions.  Advanced diagnostic procedures and equipment used at the Spine Center include EMGs, nerve condition studies, X-rays, MRIs, myelography, CT scans and ultrasound.    The latest surgical techniques are also available.  Spinal surgery is effective at managing and often resolving specific conditions. 

Treatments
The Spine Center offers a number of treatments to help a variety of spinal disorders including:

• Bone cement injections for spinal compressions due to osteoporosis
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Sacroiliac injections  
• Surgery

For more information about the Spine Center at Northwest Hospital, please call 410-601-WELL (9355). You can also view our brochures online: Northwest Hospital Spine Center, Myles D. Brager, M.D., and Zeena Dorai, M.D.