Radiant Blog

Thursday, May 20, 2021

5 signs you should see a spine specialist for your back pain

Most everyone has suffered from some form of back pain at least once in their life. Whether you tweaked your back helping a friend move a couch or suffered a debilitating illness or injury, back pain is a leading cause of disability and one that most people try to grin and bear. Popping ibuprofen may be a short-term solution to masking your pain, but it won’t fix the problem. ...Continue →

Monday, May 17, 2021

Shoes can cause back and joint pain

The shoes you wear dramatically affect the impact your knees and hips take with every step. Shoes with proper support help keep knees in alignment; arch support helps prevent feet from rotating inward; and cushioning reduces the impact from the body’s weight with each step. All of this helps to reduce pressure on our joints and back. ...Continue →

Monday, May 17, 2021

Back and Neck Pain Don’t Have to Keep You Out of the Garden

Not adhering to proper mechanics when gardening can leave you in pain, unable to finish the job. St. Vincent Charity spine surgeon Robert McLain, M.D. encourages gardeners to use four simple steps to prevent back and neck pain. ...Continue →

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Surgical team uses skill, prayer and encouragement to help patient get back on his feet

Michael Hirschberger was terrified. Alone at the hospital due to COVID-19 restrictions, he was panicked at the thought of going to a rehab facility after back surgery and being away from his support network. His life experiences made him anxious about being at a facility alone. While he was able to take pain medications after his previous surgeries and successfully stop when appropriate, he feared he might fall back into his addiction without the support of his loved ones. Seeing his panic, Dr. Anderson made a deal with him. If, after two days at the hospital, Michael was able to walk the length of the hallway, then he would discharge him home. ...Continue →

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

Spine Surgeon Builds International Following

Dr. Deborah Blades travels to Barbados frequently to visit her extended family; however, over the years, her visits have consistently included consulting with patients seeking help for their spinal conditions. She has earned a reputation for not only her knowledge and expertise but the time she takes listening to her patients and then working in partnership to develop an effective treatment plan. Patients regularly make the nearly 10-hour plane trip to Cleveland for surgery under her expert hand ...Continue →

Wednesday, April 07, 2021

Ohio announces grant awards to continue fight against opioid addiction, including $150K to St. Vincent Charity Medical Center

Governor Mike DeWine joined RecoveryOhio and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) to announce funding awards totaling more than $13 million to help communities throughout Ohio continue the fight against opioid addiction and prevent overdose deaths. These State Opioid Response (SOR) 2.0 grants come at a time when many communities are seeing increased demand for behavioral health services amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The awards include $147,428.20 to St. Vincent Charity Medical Center’s addiction treatment center, Rosary Hall, which has been at the forefront of treating drug dependency for nearly 70 years – treating more than 100,000 individuals with the compassionate care that is the hallmark of the hospital. ...Continue →

Tuesday, April 06, 2021

Successful Back Surgery Brings Former Masters Champ Out of Retirement and Back to Augusta National

Legendary PGA golfer, Ian Woosnam, retired twice - once in 2016 and then again, in 2019. The chronic back pain he suffered throughout his career had progressed to the point he could no longer swing the club in the manner that carried him to 52 tournament victories worldwide. However, a recommendation from a friend led him to Deborah Blades, M.D., at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. Now, Woosnam finds himself pain free and ready to return in April to golf’s biggest stage in August, Georgia. ...Continue →

Thursday, August 06, 2020

Innovative, Nonsurgical Treatments Provide Relief from Back, Joint Pain

Millions of Americans suffer each day with pain from arthritis or injury to the back, neck and joints. Many choose to live with what can be debilitating pain, unable to perform household chores or even work, rather than turn to surgery to relieve their pain. In an article in Brecksville Magazine, Dr. George Friedhoff, St. Vincent Charity sports medicine specialist, discussed how there is hope for those looking to prevent surgery and even for those in which surgery has failed to relieve pain. ...Continue →

Monday, July 27, 2020

Former College Football Player and Avid Outdoorsman Returns to Doing What He Loves with Relief from Back Pain

At age 60, avid outdoorsman Jay Scholes found out he wasn’t invincible. The years of playing high school and college football had led to pain in his back so severe he felt almost as though life had stopped. He found he could no longer enjoy the activities he loved due to the pain caused by three degenerated discs in his lower back. Scholes followed the recommendation of a friend to turn to the Spine and Orthopedic Institute Co-Medical Director Dr. Louis Keppler, for help. Upon meeting Dr. Keppler, Scholes said he immediately knew he found the right physician. ...Continue →

Monday, July 13, 2020

Staying Active to Prevent, Reduce Pain of Osteoarthritis

For those suffering with pain from osteoarthritis, exercise may seem like the last thing they want to do. However, research shows staying active may be the best way to ward off progression and pain from the disease. “While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there is a lot we can do to reduce pain and improve function,” said Matthew Levy, MD, St. Vincent Charity Spine and Orthopedic Institute. “Regular, moderate exercise helps to strengthen muscles surrounding the affected joints and improves flexibility and balance.” ...Continue →