Spine care

Our spine specialists use a variety of methods to accurately evaluate your condition, including:

• Computerized tomography (CT) scans
• Electromyography (EMG)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Nerve conduction studies
• Ultrasound imaging

We exhaust nonsurgical and less invasive methods before moving to invasive treatment. Our hospital network takes a multidisciplinary approach to nonsurgical care and creates goal-specific care plans. We draw on the experience of musculoskeletal movement physicians (physiatrists), occupational and physical therapists, interventional radiologists, skilled nurses and support specialists. Conservative treatments may include:

• Braces and orthoses
• Holistic approaches and treatment modalities
• Minimally invasive interventional pain management, including botulinum toxin, trigger point injections, ultrasound- and fluoroscope-guided spine injections
• Minimally invasive spinal nerve ablation procedures
• Minimally invasive spinal nerve stimulators
• Neuromuscular and orthopedic disorder rehabilitation
• Spinal orthotics
• Sports medicine

Occupational and physical therapy services

The physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists throughout our locations offer a wide range of therapeutic services to treat your neck and back pain. Our treatments increase your strength, balance and range of motion using the most up-to-date treatments that improve circulation. These treatments are designed to remove tension and decrease pain.

Our physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists may use a combination of:

• Aquatic therapy
• Cranial-sacral massage
• Electrical stimulation
• Ice/heat therapy
• Massage therapy
• Mechanical traction
• Myofascial therapy
• Neuromuscular disorder rehabilitation
• Orthopedic disorder rehabilitation
• Paraffin treatment

Neuro-interventional spine services

Our neuro-interventionalists specialize in the diagnosis, treatment and management of vertebral compression fractures. This type of fracture frequently occurs if you are experiencing osteoporosis, which results in decreased bone density and increased risk of fractures.

To treat this fracture, we offer vertebroplasty and vertebral augmentation procedures. With these techniques, your neuro-interventionalist uses X-ray imaging to guide a needle into the fractured vertebrae and inject a cement-like substance to stabilize your fracture. Many are able to go home on the same day as their surgery. Your specialist will inform you if this procedure fits your needs.

To schedule an appointment or to speak with a team member, call us at (828) 213-1461.

Once we've exhausted nonsurgical options, we offer minimally invasive surgical procedures. This allows you to heal faster, have minimal scarring and get moving even sooner. We also involve our rehabilitation specialists to restore your strength and return your function.

Our fracture prevention and bone health clinics diagnose, monitor and provide preventive care for fragility and compression fractures. Such treatments may involve casting, braces, rods or plates. Your spine specialists will help determine the best option for your needs.

If your diagnosis leads to a neurological condition, our family of hospitals is the right place to be. You'll receive fast, effective neurological care in our neuroscience critical care unit and Comprehensive Stroke Center. We also follow up your care post-discharge.

If you are scheduled for spinal fusion surgery, we encourage you to register for our free preoperative education class to help educate you about your procedure. The class prepares you by helping you plan and understand what to expect before, during and after your surgery.

Our experienced nurse navigators will walk you through each step, beginning with pre-surgery through recovery, providing guidance on how to prepare your home and care for yourself after discharge. The result is a faster recovery and reduced risk of complications and readmissions. Please call (828) 213-2693 for more information about our preoperative education classes at Mission Hospital.

With three outpatient clinics, seven satellite offices and a neuro-interventional center, we work to ensure you have access to care when you need it. For more details about our outpatient services, talk with one of our team members at (828) 274-2225 (BACK).