Award-Winning Care At Optim’s Back & Neck Center of Excellence
Welcome to the Optim Back & Neck Center of Excellence, where patient-focused care of the back and neck is our priority. As specialists in orthopedic, neurosurgery, and interventional pain management, we provide comprehensive treatment for back and neck conditions and injuries. Our center has earned prestigious awards including DNV GL-Healthcare’s Center of Excellence for Spine Surgery and Healthgrades’ Five-Star recipient for Spinal Fusion Surgery and Patient Safety Excellence. With a team of skilled surgeons and specialists, we offer personalized treatment plans using advanced technology. Experience exceptional care at our award-winning facilities.
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CALL – 912-629-6070Back pain or injuries
Back pain or spine injuries can be a result of aging or an injury. Both the lower back, known as the lumbar spine, and the thoracic spine, in the upper part of the back, can be affected by degenerative conditions. It is important that individuals with pain radiating into the leg or those experiencing numbness in an arm or leg see a doctor right away. A healthy weight and regular exercise, as you age, are helpful in keeping the back healthy and pain free.
Common conditions that cause back pain may Include
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Facet Arthritis
- Fractures
- Disk Herniation
- Osteoporosis-related Fractures
- Sciatica
- Spondylolisthesis
- Scoliosis
- Spinal Stenosis
- Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
NECK PAIN OR INJURIES
Neck pain can be caused by both traumatic injuries and degenerative conditions that cause wear and tear to the cervical spine. Much of neck pain can be treated with minimally invasive and interventional pain management techniques, bringing much desired relief. In fact, less than 10% of neck pain needs surgical treatment. Patients who have neck pain that radiates into the shoulder or arm and causes pain or numbness should seek an evaluation by a specialist.
Common conditions that cause neck pain include
- Muscle strain
- Herniated Disc
- Osteoarthritis
- Bone spurs
- Disk Herniation
- Whiplash injuries
EXPERT CARE FOR BACK AND NECK CONDITIONS OR INJURIES
Our doctors treat back and neck conditions with precision – from minimally invasive procedures to the most complex back care available for patients with scoliosis or significant spinal trauma. Both our orthopedic spine(back and neck) doctors and neurosurgeons(back and neck) take a conservative approach to back and neck pain and we work as a collaborative team with our interventional pain management physicians and physical therapists to help patients get back to living a pain-free life. When conservative approaches are not enough, you can trust Optim Medical Center-Tattnall and Optim Surgery Center to provide the most advanced and innovative neck and back care available today.
DON’T LIVE WITH BACK OR NECK PAIN
Many conditions can cause back or neck pain, leg pain, numbness and weakness. Bone spurs, bulging discs, herniated discs, facet joint arthritis, sciatica, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, and spinal stenosis are some of the common conditions we see. Fortunately, we offer the most comprehensive care for the back and neck and our teams specialize in minimally invasive back procedures that offer smaller incisions, less blood loss and less damage to surrounding structures – all which can lead to a quicker recovery.
Common Surgical Procedures for Back and Neck Pain
Fusions
Both neck and back fusions are available for patients who have a herniated or bulging disks, or degenerative spine conditions that create pain, numbness and tingling by pressing on nerves and irritating the surrounding structures muscles and ligaments. In this procedure we are able to fuse two vertebrae together to stop the movement that leads to pain in a specific area of the back.
Lumbar laminectomies
Lumbar Laminectomies are one of the most common back surgeries and often performed for age related changes in the back, such as spinal stenosis. This procedure is also known as decompression surgery as it enlarges the space in the spinal canal to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
Endoscopic Rhizotomy
This simple 30-minute outpatient procedure is effective in about 80 percent of patients, can relieve pain for up to 4 years and can be repeated. Similar to RFA, Endoscopic Rhizotomy surgery also involves relieving back pain due to arthritis and has proven successful for patients that have been told they need an invasive fusion surgery.
Minimally invasive spine procedures
Minimally invasive spine procedures such as a micro-discectomy use minimally invasive techniques to provide relief from pain caused by a lumbar herniated disc.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Back and Neck Pain
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency Ablation, or RFA, is one of the newest pain control techniques. It is a simple and unique spinal procedure that can alleviate the pain of degenerative spine conditions in as little as 15 minutes. For many, this surgical procedure offers relief from chronic back pain and muscle spasms and can provide relief for patients who suffer from joint pain in the spine. By effectively treating pain at the facet joint it can provide a solution to people who suffer from arthritis in the facet joints in the back.
Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial
Spinal stimulators are often used for chronic back pain when other methods of treatment have not been successful. The simulator is a device that is surgically placed under your skin and sends a mild electric current to your spinal cord. It works by masking pain signals before they reach the brain.
Intracept
The Intracept Procedure is a minimally invasive treatment designed to alleviate chronic lower back pain. It targets the basivertebral nerve to reduce pain signals, offering a significant improvement in patient comfort and mobility. This outpatient procedure represents a promising alternative for those seeking relief from enduring back pain.
VIA Disc
The VIA Disc procedure is an innovative, minimally invasive treatment aimed at restoring disc height and relieving pain caused by degenerative disc disease. Utilizing a specialized implant, it offers a new lease on mobility and comfort for patients struggling with back pain, without the need for major surgery.
Download Spine Venture Guide Today!
Our goal is to make life better through care and teamwork. We aim to lead in our field, especially when it comes to orthopedic surgery and other healthcare services we specialize in, like neck and back care.
Our commitment is to give you and your surgeon all the support you need for a successful neck or back surgery. This guide has a lot of details about your surgery and can help answer many of your questions. You can download it, study it, and keep it as a helpful tool to get ready for your surgery and healing.
On top of this guide, one of our Spine Coordinators / Pre-admission Nurses will be in touch with you before your surgery. They’ll explain the whole process step by step – from checking in to leaving the hospital. We also want you to understand how to take care of yourself after surgery and be ready for your recovery journey. Most importantly, we want you to feel well-informed and at ease with your Optim Total Spine Experience.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact: Spine Coordinator
912.557.1000 Ext 1269 or 2299 – Optim Medical Center Tattnall
912.629.3534- Optim Surgery Center- Savannah
OPTIM’S MEDICAL STAFF TEAM WILL RECOMMEND THE BEST APPROACH FOR YOU
Our Back and Neck Specialists
William W. Brooks, MD
OrthoGeorgia
Orthopedic Spine, Orthopedic Surgery: Neck, Spine
Bradley A. Heiges, MD
Optim Orthopedics
Orthopedic Spine, Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic: Neck, Spine
Wayne Kelley, Jr, MD
OrthoGeorgia
Orthopedic Spine, Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic: Spine
Thomas W. Lawhorne, III, MD
Optim Orthopedics
Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Spine: Neck, Spine
John McCormick, II, MD
Optim Orthopedics
Orthopedic Spine, Orthopedic Surgery: Neck, Spine
Thomas E. Niemeier, MD
Optim Orthopedics
Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Spine: Neck, Spine
Ryan Schnetzer, MD
OrthoGeorgia
Orthopedic Spine, Orthopedic Surgery: Neck, Spine
Kevin L. Stevenson, MD
Optim Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery: Spine, Neck
Pain Management
Michael Appeadu, MD
Optim Pain Management
Interventional Pain Management: Spine Pain Management, Interventional
Ruben Diaz, MD
Optim Pain Management
Interventional Pain Management: Spine Pain Management, Interventional
Michael D. Dykes, MD
Optim Pain Management
Interventional Pain Management: Spine Pain Management, Interventional
Joseph Hegarty, MD
Optim Pain Management
Interventional Pain Management: Interventional, Spine Pain Management
Markus Niederwanger, MD
Optim Pain Management
Interventional Pain Management: Spine Pain Management, Interventional