J


oe Lopiparo of Franklin, Wis., had suffered from back trouble for more than 25 years, so it was no surprise when back pain struck last year during a golfing vacation. His flare-ups usually lasted just a few days.


This time, however, it was different. “When I returned from the trip, my back got worse


and worse,” Joe said. “I couldn’t stand up straight. I pretty much lay on the floor at home, and I was out of work for almost a month.”


For Joe, the owner of That’s Amoré, an Italian restaurant in


Hales Corners, Wis., missing that much work was unacceptable. Joe went to see Steven Bondow, MD, a Medical College of


Wisconsin family medicine physician. By this time, the pain was radiating down Joe’s right leg and his right foot was numb. Joe knew his back problems were serious, but he wanted to avoid surgery. Dr. Bondow referred him to the SpineCare Program of Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin.


Dr. Nelson said the SpineCare team


focuses on proven treatments. “We always educate the patient on what


the medical evidence shows so they can take part in decisions about their care,” Dr. Nelson said. An MRI scan confirmed Joe had two herniated discs. “In Joe’s case, our decision was based on good evidence that disc herniation can often be managed and improved with non-operative care,” he said.


Joe’s care plan included a combination


of therapies to get his pain under control, get him moving and strengthen his back. One of the first steps was beginning work with Boyd Peterson, DC, a Medical College of Wisconsin chiropractor.


“What I do as a chiropractor is physically, gently push


through joints that have restricted movement in order to restore normal movement patterns,” Dr. Peterson said.


SpineCare specializes in the treatment back and neck pain caused by injury or illness, and helps people get back to work.


Common problem, personalized solution “Back and neck pain are extremely common, with


more than four out of five people experiencing spine- related problems during their lifetime,” said Diane Braza, MD, a Medical College of Wisconsin physiatrist (a physician specializing in musculoskeletal disorders) and medical director of SpineCare.


Dr. Braza explained that the main causes of spinal pain


are poor posture, poor body mechanics and muscle strain. Age is another factor. “For example, in people between the ages of 20 and 50 disc-related back pain is common,” she said. “In older people, pain often stems from degenerative changes like spinal osteoarthritis.”


There are many approaches to treating spinal pain, Dr.


Braza said. The challenge is fitting them all together in the most effective way. “Traditional care for back and neck pain has been linear,” she said. “A patient will try out one caregiver. If they are not successful, they’ll go to another, and then from plan B to plan C, and so on.”


What makes SpineCare unique is that it brings together


all the different caregivers that patients need. The team includes physical medicine specialists, chiropractors, physical and occupational therapists, spine and orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and other spinal pain experts.


“It is the synergy of a comprehensive approach that is


effective,” Dr. Braza said. “Patients often find the team approach results in better outcomes and fewer visits.”


GettinG patients movinG Joe met with Andrew Nelson, MD, a Medical College


ofWisconsin physiatrist, in May 2010. “Right from the get-go, Dr. Nelson explained all the options, what he was planning to do and how it all worked together,” Joe said.


n diane braza, md Chiropractic adjustment reduces the patient’s pain and


sets the stage for other therapies. “Our approach is to get the area moving and then get the patient moving.”


Getting patients active is critical to rehabilitation. Prolonged


inactivity — especially bed rest — leads to rapid loss of muscle mass and reduction in flexibility, which delays recovery.


Joe saw Dr. Peterson fewer than half a dozen times. “He got a lot of the discomfort out of my right leg so I


could get out of the house and back to work,” Joe said.


baCk to basiCs Joe also began physical therapy. According to physical


therapist Charmaine Singletary, one of the aims of physical therapy is to stabilize the spine by strengthening key muscles.


froedtert.com Froedtert Today September 2011 7


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16