Spine Team
If your health care providers recommend spine surgery, your expert team at North Mississippi Medical Center will include:
Neurosurgeon: Your physician is a board-certified neurosurgeon who is specially trained in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system, including the spinal column, spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves. The neurosurgeon will perform your surgery and oversee your care.
Physiatrist/Rehabilitation: A physician with specialized training in nerve, muscle and bone who treats injuries or illnesses that affect how you move. Rehabilitation physicians focus on restoring physical and vocational functions, providing nonsurgical treatment of injuries and illnesses.
Pain Management Care Provider: A physician or nurse practitioner who manages pain control methods, including injections, medications, nonpharmacological (non-medications) and other approaches to help relieve or reduce chronic pain resulting while helping maintain your dignity, quality of life and functional ability.
Primary Care Physician: A primary care physician manages your overall health before and after surgery.
Interventional Radiologist: A physician who specializes in minimally invasive procedures using X-ray guidance. Some procedures are done for diagnostic purposes, and some are performed for treatment purposes.
Anesthesia Provider: Your anesthesia provider administers the medications required to keep you asleep and comfortable throughout your surgery. He/she will also monitor your heart and lungs during surgery.
Clinical Coordinator: This registered nurse will assist and guide you through your journey as well as teach your pre-surgical class and visit you while in the hospital. The clinical coordinator is here to answer any questions you may have.
Registered Nurse: Before, during and after your surgery, you can expect to meet many different nurses who perform many different jobs. Nurses will help prepare you for surgery and will be in the operating room with you throughout your surgery. After surgery, a team of nurses will carry out all orders given by your surgeon, as well as keep you comfortable and safe in the hospital.
Clinical Team: A team of caregivers, including restorative care technicians and nursing assistants, will assist you throughout your hospital stay. They will help you with activities like bathing, dressing and getting to the bathroom.
Physical Therapist/PT Assistant: Professionals who specialize in helping patients gain strength and mobility to reach their highest level of functional ability.
Occupational Therapist: Professionals who specialize in helping patients learn to safely and effectively perform activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing. The therapist may also teach you to use special equipment that will assist you throughout recovery.
Other team members you may meet during your stay include case managers, chaplains, dietitians, lab technicians, respiratory therapists, speech therapists, social workers, surgical technologists and X-ray technicians.
