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At Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, our transdisciplinary approach allows patients to actively participate in designing their rehabilitation program with the guidance and expertise of spine specialists who utilize evidence-based care pathways. Treatment at SpineCare is individualized to meet the needs of each patient. Treatment timelines are based on the need for patient education and lifestyle modification to achieve long-term success. We give our patients the time to develop an exercise program they can stick with, and to fully incorporate proper body mechanics in everything they do.
After the initial evaluation, each patient is placed in a program based on his or her needs. A majority of patients are able to continue with their regular daily activities (work, housework, caring for children) to some extent while they are undergoing treatment with SpineCare.
A total of 369 patients were treated between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2005.
Basic Spine Program — 86 percent of the patients were treated in this 6- to 8-week program for people with disorders such as complex muscle/ligament strains, herniated discs without neuromotor deficits, mechanical neck pain, mechanical back pain and lumbar stenosis (abnormal decrease in size of the spinal canal), among other conditions.
Intermediate Spine Program — 12 percent of the patients were treated in this 8- to 12-week program for people with disorders such as herniated discs with neuromotor deficits and people who need postoperative rehabilitation, among other conditions.
Extended Spine Program — 2 percent of the patients were treated in this 12- to 16-week program for people who are debilitated or have multilevel spine involvement or need additional clinical support.
SpineCare is a different kind of spine clinic for people with spinal problems, because patients are part of the comprehensive team that develops treatment. Our focus is self-management and independence in managing each patient's current disorder as well as future occurrences of pain. Our goal is to encourage an early and safe return to routine activities and to help prevent long-term disability from spinal problems.
- Of the patients employed at the onset of treatment with SpineCare, 94 percent return to their regular work duties or with minimal modifications at the end of treatment. (A majority of SpineCare patients continue to work in some capacity during their treatment.)
- Among patients who respond to satisfaction surveys, 81 percent rated their overall experience with SpineCare as “excellent” and 17 percent rated it as “good” (2004-2005 data).
SF-12® Health SurveyPeople who enroll in SpineCare programs (Basic Spine, Intermediate Spine and Extended Spine programs) are asked to complete a survey called the "SF-12® Health Survey." The 12-question survey asks for your views about your health. This information will help you and your team keep track of how you feel and how well you are able to perform your usual activities.
Above: The higher the score, the better a patient feels. Patients report less pain after treatment.
Above: A higher score is better. The Mental Component Summary Score shows how the person is feeling mentally. Patients show improved scores after treatment.
Above: A higher score is better. The Physical Component Summary Score illustrates how the person is functioning physically. Patients show improved scores after treatment.
For every method we use — whether therapy, medication or an exercise based approach — we have the evidence to show that it works. That’s one benefit of being part of a leading-edge academic medical center; we know what works and we have research to prove it.
Oswestry Disability IndexPeople who come to the SpineCare Program with low back pain are asked to complete a survey called the "Oswestry Disability Index." This survey measures how a person is functioning before and after treatment.
This survey includes questions on limitations in performing various activities of daily life such as personal care, lifting, reading, driving and recreation, as well as pain. A high score indicates an extreme amount of functional disability caused by back pain.
Neck Disability IndexPeople who come to us with neck pain are asked to fill out a survey called the "Neck Disability Index (NDI)."
Modeled after the Oswestry Disability Index, the NDI survey also includes questions on limitations in performing various activities of daily life such as personal care, lifting, reading, driving and recreation, as well as pain. A high score indicates that there is an extreme amount of functional disability caused by neck pain.
Program Overview
The comprehensive SpineCare Program:
- Thoroughly reviews the patient’s history of spinal problem symptoms, and response to therapy
- Recommends appropriate exercises tailored to each individual’s needs
- Reviews the risks and benefits of treatment options with patients
- Avoids costly treatments that have not been shown to improve patient outcomes
- Attempts a course of non-invasive treatment before recommending surgery, except under certain circumstances where surgery is indicated; in fact, only 3.4% of our SpineCare patients underwent surgery in 2006
- Avoids repeating diagnostic tests
Author: Marla Fraunfelder Date: Nov. 2, 2006 |
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