Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - North Mississippi - (Page 5)

Blue Distinction NMMC was recently one of four Mississippi hospitals named a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi Blue Distinction Center of Excellence for spine surgery. This distinction recognizes hospitals that demonstrate high levels of performance in delivering quality specialty care to their patients safely, efficiently and in a cost-effective manner. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mississippi beneficiaries will have lower out of pocket expenses if they choose to have their spine surgeries at Blue Distinction Centers. FiNDiNg The RighT TReaTmeNT To continue to improve care of patients like Walden, NMMC recently opened the Spine Center to treat chronic back and neck pain. The NMMC Spine Center is a "virtual" center, which means it encompasses services that are not all in the same location. Some of the services include physiatry, rehabilitation, pain management and minimally invasive surgery. "We want to make sure that patients have access to all options when it comes to treating back and neck pain," says Mindy Forsman, RN, who serves as clinical coordinator for the Spine Center. "Surgery is of On Oct. 29, 2013, Walden had a minimally invasive surgery called a lumbar fusion. The vertebrae in the spine fit together and are able to move separately. When they move too much, pinched nerves and pain can occur. A spinal fusion joins two or more vertebrae, so they are locked together and unable to move separately. In lumbar fusion surgery, the disk between the two vertebrae that is causing pain is removed, and then replaced with a bone graft or cage packed with bone graft. This cage acts as a bridge for new bone growth. "When I woke up from surgery, I could tell immediately that my pain was better," Walden says. "Almost as soon as I got back to my room, a physical therapist came and got me up to walk. Since then, I've been working toward getting back to my old self. I am definitely on the road back to doing all that I could before my pain started. If I could give anyone with back pain advice it would be to go ahead and get it taken care of. Have it checked out, get the problem fixed and move on with your life. I'm certainly glad that's what I did." Spot the SignS Symptoms of spine disorders vary depending on the area of your neck or back that is affected. The most common symptoms include: Neck * Numbness or tingling in your arm or hand * Weakness in your arm or hand * Pain that shoots down your arm * Pain that shoots up toward your head * Pain when you move your head * Problems with spinal cord (difficulty walking) Back * Numbness or tingling in your leg or foot * Weakness in your leg or foot * Burning sensation down your leg/foot * Pain in your low back * Pain in your hips * Pain that shoots down your leg * Difficulty walking * Difficulty urinating SUM MER 2014 5

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - North Mississippi
Contents
From the CEO
Back in Action
Top Honors
Stress SOS
The Truth About Sunscreen
The Transformers
Get Your Head in the Game
The Journey Continues
On the Cover
The Foot Follies
Friendly Fat
Virtual Health
The Eyes Have It
Worth the Weight
Small Wonders
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Summer 2014 - North Mississippi