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+ Kyphoplasty. The injection of bone cement into a weakened vertebra to restore its strength and function is used to treat compression fractures typically associated with osteoporosis. Real-time X-ray imaging provides a detailed view of the lower lumbar spine. The surgeon places a needle through the skin and into the bone. Then, a balloon placed through the needle is inflated into the bone, restoring the height of the vertebra. + Microscopic anterior cervical dis- cectomy and fusion. This procedure treats degenerative discs in the neck by removing the affected disc and insert- ing a synthetic spacer. Patients typically require a 24- to 48-hour overnight hospi- tal stay for this procedure, but generally do not have to wear a stabilizing neck collar afterward. Minimally invasive motion preservation procedures, as they pertain to the cervical disc, are not quicker procedures but yield positive patient outcomes, says Dr. Perkins. "Motion preservation is a newer trend we've adopted that can help people avoid a fusion," he says. "When patients have a herniated disc in their cervical spine and require surgical intervention, instead of removing the disc and fusing it, we can perform a disc replacement." Dr. Perkins and his team are also skilled in traditional open surgical interventions. These procedures may be necessary to meet patient needs in cases such as spinal cord stimulator placement or osteotomy, when a bone is cut to change its alignment. A Community Resource Recognizing the need in the mid Hudson Valley, the Spine Center at Northern Dutchess Hospital seeks to provide a patient population with the full scope of spine care services by partnering with the highest caliber multidisciplinary team of clinicians and practitioners. "Northern Dutchess Hospital is a true community hospital, and that is where this community reaps the most benefits," Dr. Dentico says. "Caring for their neighbors, the hospital leadership recruited accomplished physicians and a quality ancillary staff. The Spine Center is a community service that facilitates excellent care." Dr. Perkins views Northern Dutchess Hospital's new Spine Center as a value- added resource for community physicians. "There are certainly patients with back and neck pain presenting at family care physician offices and in emergency rooms, and now with the Spine Center, we can bet- ter triage these patients," Dr. Perkins says. "The center provides a one-stop destination for spine care and advanced care therapies. Patients will be treated faster, more effec- tively and by the correct provider." "If a patient wants to be seen, we are here to serve them," Dr. Dentico says. "I am willing to see and treat any patient, whether he or she is an injection or surgi- cal candidate. We take an empathetic approach to patients with back pain, whether acute or chronic, and will do everything in our power to ameliorate their pain and improve their function by providing them with compassionate and appropriate care." Fore more information about the Spine Center at Health Quest's Northern Dutchess Hospital, call 845-871-3333 or visit health- quest.org/NDHspine. ■ Brophy and Leonard are part of the Spine Center team. Dr. Perkins stands in one of the operating rooms where he performs Spine Center surgeries. M D N E W S . CO M ■ MD NEWS Mid Hudson | 1 9