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M D N E W S .C O M /// M D N E W S M I D H U D S O N ■ 2 017 1 7 the decision-making process," Dr. Syed says. "The hospita l has started a spine education class." Held monthly in the Putnam Hospital Center auditorium, the class welcomes a ll who su•er from neck or back pain. The surgeons on the medica l sta • at Putnam Hospital Center review physical therapy, pa in ma nagement a nd other non su rg ica l approa ches . T hey a l so explain the thought process that leads physicia ns to recommend surgica l or nonsurgica l a lternatives. " O f t e n , s u r g e r y i s n o t n e e d e d ," Dr. Syed says. "Many people experience significant improvement with access to appropriate physica l therapy and pain ma na gement , a nd we have excel lent programs in those areas on the Putnam Hospita l Center campus." Patients who are advised to undergo surgery also receive specialized instruc- tion, including information about what t o e x p e c t b efor e , du r i n g a nd a f t er a procedu re. Ca se m a n a ger s i n t he hospita l oversee their care, and nurses with expertise in surgical recovery help patients control their pain and begin to ambulate. From basic transfers to toilet- ing and using stairs, patients practice the movements they 'll use in daily life so they can feel comfortable returning home after their hospita l stay. In addi- tion, patients are welcome to reach out to their surgeon after the procedure if they have additiona l questions. P ut n a m Ho s pit a l C ent er 's s pi ne surgery program has a bright future. " Te ch nolog y a nd pro c edu re s a re always advancing," Dr. Peretz says. " We continue to explore better ways, more precise ways to per form surger y. We examine innovations, but we also keep in mind that technology is no substitute for expert knowledge and good patient care." Dr. Syed looks for ward to the intro- d u c t i on of i m a g e - g u i d e d s u r g i c a l techniques, in which navigation systems combine with intraoperative imaging, resu lting in ex tremely accurate a nd safe procedures. " Hea lth Quest recog nizes Putna m Hospita l Center is in a location where we ca n ser ve a sig nifica nt number of people," Dr. Syed says. "Many patients have known the hospita l for decades. They 've seen their parents come here, and we treat their children, too. Putnam Hospital Center has made a commitment to invest in high ly tra ined surgeons, advanced equipment and extensive com- munity outreach. O•ering a wide variety of treatments for spine conditions means patients can continue to receive care in a familiar setting, close to home." " T h e p r o g r a m i s a b o u t h e a l i n g p a t i e nt s a n d h e lpi n g t h e m o b t a i n the qua lit y of life they desire, using a tea m approach in pursuing this goa l," D r. Per e t z a dd s . " W he t her r e c om- mending pa in ma na gement, physica l therapy or surger y, we wa nt patients to overcome a ny spina l a i lment t hat prevents them from living life fully." Dr. Syed explains spinal anatomy to a patient at Putnam Hospital Center. PHOTO © JOHN HALPERN Spotlight: Motion-preserving Surgery CERV ICA L A RTHROPL A ST Y IS motion-preserving surgery to replace damaged discs in the cervical spine. Herniated discs in the neck can lead to pain and weakness that radiate into the arms and hands. Traditionally, discectomy paired with fusion surgery has been performed as a solution, but fusion limits mobility in the area of the repair. Cervical arthroplasty to introduce an artificial cervical disc solves this problem. Rather than using plates and screws, surgeons remove the damaged disc through a small incision, then implant an artificial disc system made of two metal plates and a durable plastic insert. The plates are fitted to the vertebrae on each side of the damaged disc's former location. Once in place, they can move front to back and left to right around the insert. Cervical arthroplasty produces results that reduce pain and approach the normal range of motion of the neck. Patients who undergo the procedure often return to work sooner than fusion surgery patients, without the need for a neck brace.