Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services | Gibson gets it! | Fall/Winter 2019

Gibson gets it! 11 spinal pain is brought on by arthritis, abnormal curving of the spine or a fracture caused by osteoporosis. Pinpointing the problem A physical examination can help pinpoint affected areas of the spine. Your doctor will check for sensation, strength and reflexes in various parts of your body. Dammkoehler talked to her primary care provider about her symptoms, including numbness and tingling in her legs, so that she could start getting the answers she needed through further tests. Tell your doctor which motions or positions hurt and what seems to help relieve your back pain. If the pain source is not obvious, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following: • • X-rays to check bones for wear, breaks or disease. A myelogram requires injection of a special dye before the x-ray is taken. • • A CT (computed tomography) scan to check for a disk rupture, spinal narrowing or damage to vertebrae. • • An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to look for damage to disks, soft tissue and nerves. MRI is also very good at showing infection, tumors and fractures. • • An electromyogram and nerve conduction studies to find out if the nerve roots and muscles are working properly. • • Diskography to identify damaged disks. • • A bone scan to check for infection, fracture or other bone disorders. • • An ultrasound to look for tears in ligaments, muscles and tendons. On the mend Depending on your case, your doctor may prescribe bed rest for one or two days. You may also be advised to: • • Apply hot and cold compresses. • • Exercise to strengthen muscles. • • Enroll in a physical therapy program. • • Take medicines to reduce pain. In some cases, surgery may be recommended. Once Dammkoehler was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, she was referred to neurosurgeon Emilio Nardone, MD, for a consult at the Gibson Area Hospital Outpatient Clinic. Dr. Nardone was able to perform the minimally invasive surgical procedure (decompressive laminectomy) at Gibson Area Hospital, allowing Dammkoehler to receive all of her care just minutes from home. After giving herself time to heal and getting the go-ahead from Dr. Nardone, Dammkoehler is now back to enjoying her daily activities again without discomfort. She and Timmy, her faithful furry friend, are once again a common sight on the sidewalks of Gibson City. Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; National Institutes of Health After giving herself time to heal, Melanie Dammkoehler is now back to enjoying her daily activities again without discomfort. Radiologist Gary Kerber, MD, has been performing kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive back pain procedure, at GAHHS for 9 years. The surgical treatment restores the original shape to an injured or collapsed vertebra and relieves pain fromspinal compression. This and other specialty procedures are performed in Gibson Area Hospital’s state-of-the-art hybrid OR. Turn the page to find out more. Get to know the neurosurgeon: Emilio Nardone, MD* General surgery internship: Cabrini Medical Center, New York, NY Neurosurgery residencies: First Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy; University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX Neuro-oncological surgery fellowship: University of Texas-MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX Education: Doctor of Medicine, First Medical School of Naples, Naples, Italy Specialties: Minimally invasive spine surgery, complex spine surgery and nerve pain management procedures, including the insertion or removal of medication pumps and spinal cord stimulators, as well as carpal tunnel release and cubital tunnel release. Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services (GAHHS) wants to ensure we keep our patients and families well- informed. We work closely with physicians who provide medical care to you. However, the physicians or providers identified with this symbol (*) are not employed by GAHHS and are independent contractors.