Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1482517
F R O M S I M P LY S I T T I N G in a cha ir to working or exercising, spine issues ca n cause pa in t hat inter feres w it h almost every activity of life. Nerve root impingement, for example, can result in debilitating pain that may radiate to the extremities. As they become more severe, spinal conditions can also interfere with a patient's functional abilities. For instance, spinal stenosis or herniated discs can be associated with myelopathic conditions that can result in permanent disability if left untreated. While physicians typically offer con- servative measures first, many patients ultimately benefit from spine surgery. Spinal procedures may be considered when the patient's history and physical exam are concordant with findings on neuroimaging, such as MRI or CT scans, and measures such as physical therapy, chiropractic care and medications have failed to provide relief. In cases of sig- nificant neurologic deficits — such as impaired gait, incontinence, movement loss or weakness — spine surgery may be warranted in a more urgent fashion. Neurosurgeons at NSPC specialize in treating spine pain and neurologic symp- toms, and they do so in a timely fashion. Patients receive prompt consultations either in office or through NSPC's mobile clinic. Patients with radicular pain or myelopathic symptoms do not have to wait or undergo extensive work up prior to receiving consultation at NSPC. "I don't care if the patient has been w ork e d up or not ," s a y s W i l l i a m Sonstein, MD, FACS, attending neu- rosurgeon and President at NSPC. "I'm NSPC's William Sonstein, MD, FACS: Enhancing Spine Medicine Through Surgical Advances and Mobile Consultations BY ROBIN OVERBAY NSPC BR AIN & SPINE SURGERY TAKES A COLL ABOR ATIVE APPROACH TO THE MANAGEMENT OF SPINE CONDITIONS, OFFERING PATIENTS E VIDENCE- BA SED MEDICINE AND THE CONVENIENCE OF AN INNOVATIVE MOBILE CLINIC WHERE THE Y CAN BE SEEN DURING THEIR BRE AK AT THEIR WORKPL ACE. William Sonstein, MD, FACS, an attending neurosurgeon and President at NSPC Brain & Spine Surgery, greets a patient at the entrance to the NSPC Mobile Unit. The new service was created to make it easier for people with an acute or chronic spine condition to get examined by an experienced spine specialist. 0 6❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R F E A T U R E