Vim & Vigor - Summer 2011 - Community Healthcare - (Page 51)

CALL For a listing of n`eurosurgeons on staff at the hospitals of Community Healthcare System, call our FREE physician referral line at 219-836-3477 or toll-free 866-836-3477 or visit www.comhs.org. FREE Referral Line After the surgery, Parker’s headaches went away and his heart rate returned to normal. Part of his recovery includes physical therapy to regain his strength and stability. “I am glad to get up each morning and use my exercise equipment; it makes me feel better,” says Parker. BACK TO LIVING arms and legs. The Institute offers the most advanced minimally invasive surgical treatments along with a variety of nonsurgical approaches to relieve pain and restore patients’ health. In addition to the medical and surgical services provided by the physicians at Community Spine & Neurosurgery Institute, patients have access to therapy services they need to make a full recovery from their injury or surgery. Community Spine & Physical Therapy is conveniently located within Community Spine & Neurosurgery Institute’s ofﬁces in Munster, offering patients both medical and rehabilitative treatment options all in one setting. The therapy area consists of two private treatment rooms with traction, NuStep, treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical, upper-body ergometer and other resistive equipment to aid in rehabilitation. Physical therapists assess patients, develop treatment plans, provide therapy and work closely with primary care physicians to provide optimal therapy services and treatment options. FINDING A BRAIN TUMOR After a series of tests in the Emergency department at Community Hospital, Parker was referred to neurosurgeon Mohammad Shukairy, M.D. Parker’s MRI revealed a colloid cyst in his brain. A colloid cyst is a fairly uncommon tumor of the brain that is present at birth. “The tumor in Mr. Parker’s brain blocked the spinal ﬂuid from ﬂowing freely, thus the spinal ﬂuid was building up inside his brain,” says Shukairy. “This condition not only caused the headaches, but also made his heart rate drop to a dangerous and lifethreatening level.” Parker underwent minimally invasive brain surgery at Community Hospital to remove the cyst. A small hole was made in his skull and a device called an endoscope was inserted to remove the colloid cyst. Throughout the surgical experience, Parker was not scared or nervous. “It’s something I can’t explain,” he says. “I am thankful that I wasn’t scared about having brain surgery. I just wanted to feel better and knew I was in good hands.” “This approach has the advantage of reducing operative time and a lengthy hospital stay,” says Shukairy. “The infection risk also is less than traditional craniotomy, where the skull is surgically opened to perform the removal of the tumor.” A Shorter Spine Surgery In addition to minimally invasive procedures of the brain, physicians at Community Spine & Neurosurgery Institute also offer advanced back treatment options and minimally invasive spinal surgery. Minimally invasive techniques are used to perform surgical procedures to treat conditions that involve narrowing of the spinal canal such as spinal stenosis, bone spurs, arthritis of the spine and herniated disks, which can cause severe back and leg pain and decrease mobility. In most cases, minimally invasive surgery shortens surgical and recovery times for the patient. Vim & Vigor · SUMM ER 2011 51 http://www.comhs.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Summer 2011 - Community Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2011 - Community Healthcare
Contents
Community Message
When Stroke Strikes, Seconds Count
Rays of Hope Fight Cancer
Girl Talk
Say What?
Action Plan
Like This? Try That!
Being George Clooney
A Day in the Life of Your Heart
Unexpected Heroes
Get in Gear
A Real Lifesaver
A Real Lifesaver
Spotlight on Community Hospital
Spotlight on St. Catherine Hospital
Spotlight on St. Mary Medical Center
A Safer Hospital Stay

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2011 - Community Healthcare