A Center of Excellence
How We are Different:
TCSC physicians take a multidisciplinary approach to spine care, involving physical medicine physicians, spine surgeons and spine-specialized therapists. TCSC's team of professionals pools together their expertise to develop a customized treatment for each patient. Their facilities provide all the necessary diagnostic testing and treatment in one place, including physical therapy, an injection suite and X-rays, eliminating the need for multiple referrals, delayed care and overall confusion.
There are tremendous advances taking place in medicine today, but in order to benefit from them, the healthcare consumer must take an active role. The best healthcare will not find you; you have to seek it out.
While the United States offers the highest standard of healthcare in the world, there is still huge treatment variation based on the doctor you see. The doctor you choose will determine the quality of care you will receive. Here is an overview of how to navigate through the healthcare system to find the best doctor for you.
Articles
Please choose from the below links to read articles relating to TCSC at AOA.
Spine Surgery: Dr. Eric Wieser performs minimally invasive spine surgeries at AMH
09/03/05
Patient Information
1. PATIENT EDUCATION
TCSC wants you to be well-informed about the possible causes of your back and neck pain. We have a medical team who can advise and answer your questions. We may even be able to help you relieve your back pain symptoms on your own. Many times, however, the pain does not subside on its own, and it's a good idea to see a specialist to help you determine the exact cause of your pain.
2. THE PHYSICIAN VISIT
As a first step, the doctor will review your medical history and conduct an exam. You will be asked questions about your symptoms that will help determine the causes of your back or neck pain. The doctor may move an arm or leg or to determine where the pain is coming from. You may need a diagnostic test such as an X-ray or an MRI, both of which are completely painless. Depending on your test results, you may need to meet with our spine-specialized physical therapist, or you may receive a pain-relieving injection. The purpose of an injection is to relieve excruciating back or neck pain, so that you can proceed to the next step in the recovery process.
3. PHYSICAL THERAPY & NONSURGICAL TREATMENT
Unlike a general physical therapist who treats a variety of problems, the physical therapists at TCSC specialize in spine problems and have advanced training in McKenzie techniques for spine therapy. Our therapy involves hands-on care that relieves pain symptoms, along with personalized movements and exercises that strengthen the back and improve flexibility so that you can get moving again.
4. RETURN TO ACTIVITY
Ultimately, the only way to permanently treat your back is to make it stronger, more flexible and resistant to injury. Our therapist will show you special movements that will help make that happen. You'll also learn how to do these exercises at home. Our number one goal is to help you return to your everyday activities without back or neck pain.
5. MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY WHEN NECESSARY
Regardless of the type of spine problem you have, we can help. If surgery is necessary, choose a surgeon who uses minimally invasive techniques for spine surgery. TCSC physicians are already referred some of the most complex spine cases in the region. We are able to treat herniated discs, spinal fractures, vertebrae problems, spinal tumors and other types of spinal deformity. TCSC surgeons are specialized in spine and perform a high volume of spine surgeries annually, which increases their proficiency.
Minimally invasive spine surgery provides the opportunity to successfully treat back problems with minimal interruption to the patient's regular, active lifestyle. Results achieved from these methods have been proven to match that of conventional "open surgery." By using minimally invasive techniques, access and repair to the damaged disc or vertebrae is achieved without harming nearby muscles and tissues. Other benefits of minimally invasive techniques include shorter surgery duration and recovery time, less visible scars and reduced pain and blood loss.
Click here to learn about TCSC's minimally invasive surgical techniques.
Interactive Videos
Procedural Animations -
View informative animations that illustrate spinal conditions and the
procedures that can be done to correct them. Animations are meant to give
an idea and not to be relied upon for...
Using the Internet for Information
When looking at a physician's own Internet site, determine if the physician takes a multidisciplinary approach to his specialty. Typically, the best specialists will place a variety of complementary services under one roof for the convenience of the patient. This center of excellence approach can involve having therapists who are specialized in a particular niche as well as an internal diagnostic center with X-ray, MRI and treatment suites, so that patients don't have to drive around town for various diagnostic studies or treatments.
Complement this individual Web site research with a review of reputable national sites that provide overall information about a specialty. These sites will list all the various treatment options for a given problem, including watchful waiting. Then compare this impartial, unbiased list with the recommendations provided by a specific clinic's Internet site.
Beware of sites that appear to be informational but are, in fact, steerage devices for physicians who pay the site to be listed as "preferred providers." Typically, the only impartial sites are those related to the specialty boards of the American Medical Association such as the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) or the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). The societies responsible for board certification usually provide a nonbiased listing of the board-certified physicians in your area.
Be Willing to Travel
The trend in medicine is that the best specialists are creating Centers of Excellence that focus on certain problems like cancer, neuroscience, spine problems, diabetes, asthma, etc. Because the cost of developing these centers is high, they typically exist only in larger cities. Consequently, if you need complex surgery, be prepared to travel.
The Physician Visit
The best specialists within a given niche will typically provide all the appropriate nonsurgical and surgical treatment options for your problem, along with the pros and cons of each approach. In some cases, treatment may include watchful waiting. If your doctor is unwilling to answer questions about your diagnosis or treatment, you're in the wrong place. Go find another doctor.
Be a Good Patient
After all the searching, if you've found a good doctor, the rest is in your hands. To be a good patient, you must comply with the physician's recommendations and prescriptions. Too many times, it's natural to want a magic pill or miracle surgery to provide an easy route back to activity. However, you should always view surgery as the last card to be played, after all nonsurgical options are explored.
For nonsurgical treatment alternatives to work, the patient must often follow physician and therapist prescriptions, which may include a commitment to therapy. For spine and joint problems, this may mean incorporating special strengthening exercises that rebuild supporting muscles, so that surgery isn't necessary. While athletes are familiar with the required commitment and pain associated with the exercise gym, others may not. It can be new territory for many people, but it is essential if you are to give nonsurgical options a chance to work.