Chicago Institute for Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch Launches Nation's First Comprehensive Neurosurgical Spine Care Center.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

CHICAGO--(BW HealthWire)--March 20, 2001

Specialists Offer State-of-the-Art

Solutions to Nation of Back Pain Sufferers

There is a new source of help for the 90 percent of Americans who suffer from back pain during their lifetime. The Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch (CINN) announced today the creation of the Institute for Spine Care, the nation's first neurosurgical center offering comprehensive and state-of-the-art surgical and non-surgical treatment for spine problems and the resulting back and neck pain they cause.

Specialists at the CINN Institute for Spine Care will offer patients options that extend beyond traditional back surgery to include minimally invasive spine surgery as well as non-surgical approaches such as pain management, physical medicine and rehabilitation, massage, acupuncture/acupressure and chiropractic.

Richard G. Fessler, M.D., Ph.D., an internationally renowned neurosurgeon, will serve as medical director of the Institute for Spine Care. "Under Dr. Fessler's leadership, the CINN Institute for Spine Care is positioned to meet the substantial need for comprehensive patient care and research in the area of spine disorders," said Leonard J. Cerullo, M.D, founder and medical director of CINN. In addition to traditional therapies, patients at the Institute for Spine Care have the option of participating in clinical trials, some of which include lumbar disc replacement and the use of compounds which enhance spinal fusion and reduce surgical scarring.

Dr. Fessler, who has pioneered many minimally invasive treatments and tools, anticipates the Institute for Spine Care will take a leading role in the research and treatment of spine disorders. "With the expertise in minimally invasive procedures that the Institute for Spine Care physicians have, we will be able to provide the latest in treatment options to a greater percentage of the patient population," said Dr. Fessler.

Minimally invasive surgery has many benefits including reduced hospital stay and recovery time. Many procedures require one to two days or less in the hospital. Other benefits of minimally invasive surgery include the reduction of pain and scarring, a decreased need for post-surgical pain medication and lower likelihood for incisional complications like infections. "With spine patients, frequently the major symptom is pain. Traditional surgery may cause as much pain as the actual disorder. Using the minimally invasive techniques we've developed, surgeons can achieve the same or better results with less trauma to the muscles and tissue," said Dr. Fessler.

The Institute for Spine Care offers services at the outpatient facilities located at the Columbus Medical Pavilion, 2515 N. Clark St. in Chicago, as well as in Harvey, Illinois and Northwest Indiana, and also at the CINN affiliated facilities located at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Elmhurst Memorial Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital and Silver Cross Hospital.

CINN is one of the nation's leading organizations for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of people with brain and spine disorders. Originally founded in 1987, CINN is comprised of the Midwest's largest team of neurosurgeons and a regional hospital network spanning two states. CINN treats more patients with brain tumors and spine disorders than any other health provider in Illinois. CINN is affiliated with NeuroSource(R) Inc., the country's only neuroscience program development company. For more information or to make an appointment, call: 800/560-BACK (2225) or visit the CINN Web site at www.cinn.org.

Editors please note: A press briefing to announce the CINN Institute for Spine Care will be take place today 3/20/01 at CINN - 2515 N. Clark St. Suite 800 Chicago, IL 60614