Radiant Blog

Friday, June 19, 2020

Staying Active While Still Staying Safe

The COVID-19 pandemic has made remaining fit and active a major challenge for many. Even as gyms and fitness centers reopen in Ohio, you might not feel comfortable exercising inside around other people. It can be easy to lose motivation and stay within the confines of home. Cardiovascular conditioning, muscle strength and flexibility all start to decline when physical activity stops. For someone with spine and orthopedic-related health issues, physical activity is especially important because it helps keep joints lubricated, mobile and strong to help relieve pain. That's why it's important to find alternatives to the gym to maintain your overall health during this pandemic. Dr. George Friedhoff, sports medicine specialist at St. Vincent Charity’s Spine and Orthopedic Institute, says the key for those who may have been inactive the last 6 to 8 weeks during quarantine is to remember to take it slow. ...Continue →

Monday, June 15, 2020

We Can Help If Pain Returns After Back Surgery

With today’s technology and minimally invasive procedures, spine surgery is a viable option for the 16 million Americans experiencing chronic back pain. However, even with advanced techniques, an estimated 10 to 30 percent of patients continue to experience persistent and, sometimes severe, pain. The good news is there are effective treatments to help those with lingering pain, including the use of a spinal cord stimulator. The implanted device sends low level electrical signals directly around the spinal cord to help reduce the pain patients feel. ...Continue →

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

15 years after degenerated disc removal, patient keeps unfilled pain prescription in frame

Veronica Ringholz’s journey began with a car accident in 2004. While she felt fine after the accident, months later she began passing out and losing strength in her arms and hands. The young, single parent struggled with daily activities at home to care for her son. And, she feared she wouldn’t be able to continue her job, which required regular travel across the country. Veronica's path led her to St. Vincent Charity Medical Center Neurosurgeon Dr. John Collis. ...Continue →

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Spine & Orthopedic Institute resolves adjacent segment degeneration for long-time grateful patient

Cleveland-area native Sal Fragapane was not surprised when he started experiencing back pain 15 years after having spinal fusion surgery. In fact, his surgeon, St. Vincent Charity Neurosurgeon John S. Collis, M.D., had warned Sal at the time of his first surgery in 2003 there was mild deterioration in the vertebrae above the fusion and chances were high that he would need additional surgery in the future. When Sal went into see Dr. Collis last year about his returned pain, Dr. Collis also brought in his colleague Dr. Shall to consult. The surgeons immediately put Sal at ease. ...Continue →

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Cleveland Magazine names Dr. Robert McLain a "Champion of Care"

In its January 2020 issue, Cleveland Magazine features Dr. Robert F. McLain of the Spine & Orthopedic Institute at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center as one of its 2020 Champions of Care. Dr. McLain is a fellowship-trained spine surgeon with 25 years of experience in complex back and neck surgeries. He specializes in minimally invasive cervical and lumbar procedures as well as state of the art disc replacement, spinal fusions and reconstruction. ...Continue →

Monday, December 30, 2019

Specialized Lumbar Disk Replacement Relieves Back Pain, Preserves Mobility

While spinal fusion permanently joins two vertebrae together, lumbar disk replacement substitutes a worn or degenerated disk in the lower part of the spine with an artificial disk made of metal or a combination of metal and plastic. The goal of the procedure is to relieve lower back pain while, at the same time, maintain normal motion for patients. St. Vincent Charity’s Robert F. McLain. M.D., who worked with investigators in the first FDA trials on the procedure, is the recognized expert on lumbar disk replacement surgery in Northeast Ohio. ...Continue →

Friday, December 06, 2019

Pain After Knee Replacement Should Not Be Ignored

Total knee replacement is one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine due to its success in relieving chronic pain and restoring mobility and function. That is why more than 600,000 knee replacement surgeries are performed each year. However, a small percentage of knee replacement surgeries fail, and when that happens, patients should seek the advice of a knee revision specialist as soon as possible. According to Bernard Stulberg M.D. of the Spine and Orthopedic Institute at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, continued knee pain can signal failure of an implant device, a condition that requires timely intervention to avoid further complication and bone loss. ...Continue →

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Something in my back is exploded!

Robert F. McLain, M.D., a spine surgeon in the Spine and Orthopedic Institute at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center, recently published the following article to provide information regarding cervical disc injury, cervical fusion, disc replacement surgery and more. Dr. McLain has more than 20 years of experience in disc replacement surgery, and has served as an instructor and educator in disc replacement surgical training, as Principal Investigator for an FDA cervical disc replacement clinical trial, and provides both lumbar and cervical disc replacement to carefully selected patients who need those procedures. ...Continue →

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Back pain at work: Preventing pain and injury

Nearly 40 million Americans – or more than 25 percent of the workforce – suffer from chronic lower back pain, according to new research. Millions of workers, particularly those in heavy labor-related jobs, either miss work or are forced to change jobs every year because of their pain. However, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center’s orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Shall said there is help for those who suffer from work-related back pain and tips to avoid injury on the job. ...Continue →

Sunday, February 10, 2019

St. Vincent Offers “Laser Spine,” Minimally Invasive Surgery

St. Vincent Charity spine surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Shall is one of a select few in Northeast Ohio who specializes in minimally invasive surgery to correct spinal disorders. Often referred to as “laser spine surgery” (even though the procedures rarely ever utilizes a laser), minimally invasive spine surgery has many advantages, including shorter recovery times and stronger long-term results, over traditional surgical techniques. ...Continue →