THROW OUT YOUR PACK: HELP YOUR BACK
November 7, 2008
Complimentary Back Pain Brochure and Smoking Tips
Offered by CINN during Great American Smokeout Week
Chicago, November 5, 2008 – Smoking cigarettes not only contributes to lung cancer and emphysema; it also leads to back pain and spine problems according to recent studies and observations from leading neurosurgeons in Chicago.
Physicians at the Chicago Institute for Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN), are encouraging Americans to “kick the habit” during the Nov. 20 Great American Smokeout, a national nonsmoking day sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Throughout this month, CINN will offer a complimentary booklet for back pain sufferers with tips for “kicking the habit.”
Recent studies, show smokers and former smokers are more likely to have more back problems and suffer from chronic back pain than non smokers. In a study published in the July 2008 Deutsches Arzteblatt International, it was determined that smokers and former smokers experienced chronic back problems more frequently than nonsmokers. Physicians attribute it to the nicotine, which restricts the flow of blood to the discs that cushion the spine.
“I have seen a number of failed spinal fusion procedures that could have been avoided if the patient would have stopped smoking,” says Dean Karahalios, M.D., spine neurosurgeon at CINN. “Smoking can also compromise a patient’s ability to recover from spinal fusion surgery.”
Fifty-two year old Sheree Maddex of Chicago, one of Dr. Karahalios’ spine patients did get the message and quit smoking. She is genetically predisposed to degenerative disc disease. Her father and son both have severe back problems. She had her first cervical spine fusion in 2001. While her first surgery was successful, due to further degeneration in 2002, she had her L4 and L5 disc replaced by Dr. Karahalios. Then in 2004, she was surprised to learn she had lung cancer. After she had had her upper right lobe removed, she vowed to throw the cigarettes away forever. But she says, it may not have been soon enough.
“After 30 years, I finally quit,” Sheree admits. “I realized that I wasn’t getting any healthier and it was keeping me from healing after surgeries.”
Sheree says her lung cancer is gone, but she continues to struggle with disc degeneration. Her debilitating pain prevented her from going to work at Evanston Hospital, where she was a cancer researcher. She couldn’t stand or sit for any prolonged period of time. Dr. Karahalios recently fused four discs in her spine, replaced hardware and implanted a titanium cage around a section of her spine to prevent further compression and to help heal the bone fragments. Presently she spends an inordinate amount of time in physical therapy.
Sheree adds, “Dr. Karahalios said it would be a slower recuperation than after my initial surgery, but I listen carefully to everything he says. I look forward to the day that I’m completely pain-free.”
“Sheree has strength and determination,” says Dr. Karahalios. “She was smart to quit smoking because she wasn’t healing properly. My advice for everyone is: don’t smoke, and if you are smoking now, please quit.”
The booklet can be obtained by visiting www.cinn.org or by calling 773 250-1009.
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Spine Surgery Complications Indicate Excellence
November 3, 2008
As highlighted, complications for the spine surgeries performed at the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago are 91% lower than the national average for 2008. This surpasses the already excellent outcomes achieved in the prior year which are indicated on the graph (76% lower than the national average). Once again the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago has been recognized as the #1 hospital in the state of Illinois for Spine Surgery by HealthGrades.
Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital ranked NO. 1 in Illinois among top five percent in nation for spine surgery
October 15, 2008
CHICAGO, IL, October 13, 2008 – For the second year in a row, the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago (NOHC) has been ranked No. 1 in Illinois and is among the top five percent in the country for spine surgery. That is according to the Eleventh Annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study. Research analyzed patient outcomes at all of the nation’s hospitals over the past three years. The study also concluded that NOHC is:
• A recipient of the HealthGrades Spine Surgery Excellence Award two years in a row
• The only hospital in Illinois to receive the Spine Surgery Excellence Award two years in a row
• Five-star rated for spine surgery two years in a row
• Five-star rated for back and neck surgery three years in a row
• Five-star rated for spinal fusion two years in a row
• Five-star rated for total knee replacement in 2009
In developing its 2009 healthcare quality ratings, released today, HealthGrades analyzed more than 41 million Medicare hospitalization records from 2005 to 2007 at the nation’s approximately 5,000 non-federal hospitals.
As part of the nation’s most comprehensive, independent analysis of hospital quality, HealthGrades found that patients treated at five-star rated hospitals for nine common procedures are 47 percent less likely to experience a major complication, such as post-operative infections or heart conditions, which can lengthen their hospital stay and increase costs. According to the study, if all Medicare patients had been treated at a top-performing hospitals, like the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago, compared to the lowest-performing hospitals during 2005-07, more than 123,000 major complications potentially could have been avoided.
“The study confirmed what we already know, “says Dr. Leonard Cerullo, Medical Director of NOHC. “We have some of the finest spine surgeons and spinal care clinicians in the nation. In fact, only 52 hospitals in the country have been recognized as being in the top 5%, and we were one of them. To be the only hospital in Illinois is an even greater honor.”
THE NEUROLOGIC & ORTHOPEDIC HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO
The Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago is the country’s only freestanding acute care facility dedicated exclusively to neuroscience and orthopedic services. During 2007, more than 2,000 neurosurgical and orthopedic surgeries were performed at NOHC. The brain and spinal fusion surgeries at NOHC have been acknowledged by many of Chicago’s well-respected insurance companies as having the fewest complications. A similar level of excellence is seen on the orthopedics side of the hospital.
LOCATION AND FOR MORE INFORMATION:
NOHC is located at 4501 N. Winchester Street in Chicago. For more information on NOHC, log on to www.neuro-orth.org.
Steps to prevent whiplash
August 25, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008 | 11:01 PM
By Sylvia Perez
Whiplash is one of the most common and painful injuries from car crashes.
There’s a simple adjustment drivers and passengers can make to help prevent it.
if you’ve ever been in a rear-end collision, you may have experienced whiplash. There are more than 3 million whiplash injuries in the U.S. every year, painful conditions that often linger months or even years after the accident You may not be able to prevent another driver from crashing into you, but there may be a simple way you can protect your neck. Read more
New state-of-the-art procedure helps reduce future herniations
May 16, 2008
Brighton, WI, May 8, 2008 – Richard Korth, 44, Brighton, who has struggled with a herniated disc for years, is now pain free and looking forward to a future without complications. For a long time Korth endured constant pain in his lower back and referred pain in his legs, which greatly limited his ability to be productive in his exhibit building business.
A frequent cause of lower back and leg pain is spinal disc herniation. The condition arises when a rupture, or herniation, occurs through the annulus fibrosus which is the outer layer of the disc. Over time, the soft inner part of the disc pushes out through this weakened area, putting pressure on the nerve root, and causing debilitating pain. Sometimes leg weakness or numbness can also occur. Read more
Tips for preventing handbag hazards
April 23, 2008
Wednesday, April 23 - Channel 9 WGN Chicago
In tonight’s Medical Watch — breaking your back with a big purse. Believe it or not the oversized bags carry a real danger for permanent damage. Medical reporter Dina Bair picks up the story.
“I have three notebooks a wallet, makeup, bills, business cards, keys.”
For all that stuff a girl needs a big bag.
Michelle: “I know it probably isn’t healthy but I get so many compliments on this thing that I’m thinking from a fashion standpoint that’s probably more important than blood circulation.”
Most women do choose fashion over feeling.
Courtney: “Down my back I have a lot of pain sometimes.” Read more
Advances in the treatment of cervical stenosis and chiari malformation
March 19, 2008
Until recently, Chiari malformation (CM) was regarded as a rare condition. Current estimates suggest that up to 2 million Americans may have CM. Oftentimes, however, it goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis, migraine, fibromyalgia, or psychiatric disturbances.
Cervical stenosis is a common cause of neck pain, mostly occurring in patients over 50 as a result of aging and “wear and tear” on the spine. Similar to CM, cervical stenosis is difficult to diagnose. Early recognition and the understanding of treatment options are imperative in preventing progression of the condition.
This educational event has been designed to educate attendees on the nuances of diagnosing and treating CM and cervical stenosis. Surgical advances in the treatment of cervical stenosis, including the recently FDA-approved Prestige® Cervical Disc will be specifically addressed. Read more
Forbes article highlights clinical excellence at specialty hospitals
March 17, 2008
A recent article published in Forbes Magazine highlights the clinical excellence achieved by specialty hospitals throughout the nation. The article specifically cited instances in Lincoln, Nebraska, Lubbock, Texas, Fresno, California, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma whereby the in-hospital mortality rate was significantly less than one of the local full-service hospitals in each of the cities mentioned. Hip replacement, knee replacement and spinal fusion were among the conditions analyzed. The Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago has also been recognized by a national rating firm as well as local insurance companies for clinical excellence compared to both local as well as hospitals nationwide. These data recognize the benefits to patients derived from focusing on a select group of conditions. Read more
Neurologic & orthopedic hospital of chicago ranked no. 1 in illinois, among top in nation for spine surgery
March 3, 2008
CHICAGO, IL, March 3, 2008 —The Neurologic and Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago (NOHC) has been ranked No. 1 in Illinois and is among the top five percent in the country for spine surgery according to the Tenth Annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America study. The HealthGrades Research analyzed patient outcomes at all of the nation’s hospitals over the past three years. The study also concluded that NOHC is:
- A recipient of the HealthGrades Spine Surgery Excellence Award
- The only hospital in Illinois to receive spine surgery excellence award
- Five-star rated for spine surgery
- Five-star rated for back and neck surgery two years in a row
- Five-star rated for spinal fusion
Fit Today TV on CLTV
February 8, 2008
The physicians of the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago are the medical experts featured on Fit Today TV, a new show hosted by NBC5 Fitness Team member Andrea Metcalf airing Saturdays at 11am and Sundays at 8am on CLTV. Each week’s medical segment will highlight various orthopedic and neurosurgical conditions treated at the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago. Tune in to CLTV to see inspirational stories, fitness tips, nutritional information, recipes, the lastest medical advances and more. Read more
