Quad Citians who experience back pain are not alone. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, one in four adults suffer from chronic low back pain at some point in their lifetime. The pain can stem from arthritis or inflammation, a prior spine injury, or even a disc disorder. Understandably, the prospect of back surgery causes many patients to delay treatment over worries about pain, a long hospital stay or the possibility of lengthy rehabilitation. However, there is good news: More outpatient spine surgery options are now available in the Quad Cities, thanks to advancements in surgical and pain management techniques at ORA Orthopedics and Crow Valley Surgery Center (CVSC).
“Many spine-related conditions are now treated with less-invasive techniques,” says ORA Orthopedics Spine Surgeon, Dr. Michael Berry, one of three ORA surgeons performing back and neck surgery at CVSC, located on the second floor of ORA’s Bettendorf clinic on 53rd Avenue. The CVSC is the only outpatient surgery center in the Quad Cities dedicated to orthopedics performing outpatient spine surgery.
“In the last 10 to 15 years, better spine research has resulted in more effective surgical techniques. Historically, back and neck surgeries often required large and painful incisions that destroyed surrounding muscles and ligaments, resulting in months of painful recovery.
“Now, we just need to expose the small portion of the spine we want to treat, with the majority of surrounding muscles and ligaments remaining intact. Blood loss is also minimized and so patients also heal more quickly with less scarring. This is especially true for conditions such as disc herniations or pressure on the nerve in the lower back where pain radiates through the leg. Better pain management also leads to a more comfortable recovery, and overnight stays at CVSC are less than 23 hours.”
CVSC is accredited by the AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care, Inc.) and meets all rigorous federal, state, and local laws and standards. The accreditation reflects CVSC’s strong commitment to patient safety.
“Overall, patients will be considered for outpatient spine surgery at Crow Valley Surgery Center if they are in good health. At ORA, we evaluate each patient’s individual health, lifestyle, home support, and risk factors to determine the safest course and place for surgery.”
Dr. Berry cautions that not every spinal condition can be treated in an outpatient setting. “Every patient is different. Spine surgery should not be minimized. Prospective patients are encouraged to confer with their ORA physician to determine whether the surgery should be performed on an outpatient or inpatient basis.”
Crow Valley Surgery Center is a partnership with ORA Orthopedics and Genesis Orthopedic Hospital. Genesis Orthopedic Hospital is the first of its kind in the region. It integrates comprehensive orthopedic services at one campus, from surgical services from the region’s leading orthopedic surgeons to comprehensive rehab programs. With its services and facilities designed for orthopedic patients, it is the premier destination center for inpatient orthopedic surgeries.
For more information on spine surgery options, visit our Spine Center of Excellence or Crow Valley Surgery Center.
