<p>Richard A. Davis, M.D. Director, Vanderbilt Minimally Invasive Spine Center</p><p>Clinical Interests: Leg and Low Back Pain (disc herniations, spinal stenosis, discogenic pain) using microsurgical techniques. Has special interest in evaluating and treating cervical spine problems. Treats non-operative and operative adult spine patients. MD Degree: Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C.</p><p>Post Graduate Training: University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI</p><p>Fellowship Training: Cervical and Lumbar Spine Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center</p><p>Interview with Dr. Davis</p><p>1. What type of symptoms would indicate a referral to your office?  Arm pain/weakness and leg pain/weakness  Back pain not responsive to non-operative treatment 2. What would you consider an average length of time for conservative treatment prior to initiating surgery?</p><p>Depending on the condition I like to wait at least 2 months before performing disc surgery in the neck or back as most of these problems will resolve non-operatively</p><p>3. What treatment measures are normally indicated during the conservative treatment period?</p><p>Physical Therapy focused on the specific condition along with NSAID’s are usually quite helpful. Epidural steroid injections or oral steroids can benefit patients that need additional treatment</p><p>4. Is surgery always necessary?</p><p>No. As a cervical and lumbar spine surgeon most of my patients actually never require surgery. It is quite gratifying to make a significant improvement in someone’s quality of life by directing the appropriate treatment.</p><p>5. If surgery is indicated, at what point do your patients normally return to work with restrictions?</p><p>Early return to work is my goal as long as the environment is safe, as it re-integrates the patient to a more normal lifestyle. For decompression surgery most patients can return when off narcotics, usually 3 weeks post-operatively. Fusion surgery in the neck is 3 weeks and for the back approximately 4-5 weeks.</p><p>6. How do you feel about returning patients to modified duty if it is possible?</p><p>I encourage modified duty. My goal is to minimize the time a person spends as a “patient” by getting them to begin rehabilitation in a real world scenario.</p><p>7. How open are you to direct communication with the case management community?</p><p>Open communication is the only way to optimize the patient’s care. I appreciate and rely on the case manager’s experience to rehabilitate my non-operative and operative patients.</p><p>8. In what types of situations would you order a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)</p><p>I use FCE’s to educate my patient and their employer regarding the level of work that can be expected after surgery or a significant non-operative rehabilitation (spine fracture, etc.) process.</p>