Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s HeaHealthSolthSoururcece Winter 2016 Spine Surgery Success Cardiovascular Center Mammography Q&A Women’s Health Center “Lynn was having quite debilitating radiating leg pain from the nerve com- pression, as well as back pain,” explains Dr. Aidlen. “After a long course of trying nonsurgical treatment options, which is recommended first, she opted for surgery due to persistent pain.” Lynn’s surgery entailed a laminectomy (removing bone and part of a ligament to relieve nerve compression) and a fusion with instrumentation (screws Spine Center and rods) to stabilize the arthritic portion of the spine. at Newton-Wellesley Hospital Last October, she underwent the procedure and hasn’t looked back since! “Dr. Aidlen got me in right away to minimize my waiting time for the surgery,” The Spine Center provides multi-disciplinary says Lynn. “After my procedure, I was home in exactly 48 hours with clear care for spinal conditions. Their team is com- instructions and ample pain medications to keep me comfortable. I was prised of leading radiologists, orthopaedic immediately better than I had been before the surgery. My pain level was surgeons, neurosurgeons, physiatrists very tolerable that first week and the nerve pain was completely gone when (rehabilitation doctors), physical therapists, I woke up in the PACU.” anesthesiologists and other specialists. Dr. Aidlen was also very pleased with the results of Lynn’s surgery. “Her leg pain was better pretty immediately after surgery, and she was up and walking The programs and services provided by the right away,” says Dr. Aidlen. “She progressed well with physical therapy after Center are appropriate for anyone who suffers surgery and is now fully healed and back to horseback riding, her most from back- and neck-related pain that inter- beloved activity. Lynn has done extremely well after her spinal fusion. She feres with work, recreational activities, daily is fit, healthy and very motivated. She made the decision for surgery with a living functions and the overall enjoyment of very positive outlook and progressed through the post-operative recovery life. Our specialists care for the full range of quite smoothly. She is always a pleasure to see in the office.” spinal disorders – from simple to complex – Now Lynn is back to all of her favorite activities and is living life pain free. affecting the cervical, thoracic and lumbar “I have resumed horseback riding, playing with my grandchildren, traveling areas of the spine. Patients are carefully and everything else I love to do,” says Lynn. “With the right surgeon, in the evaluated at the Spine Center through state-of- Spine Surgery Success right place and with good follow-up care, there's no reason to put it off. the-art diagnostic and imaging technologies. Dr. Aidlen gave me my life back!” Based on the results of the evaluation and the patient’s goals, an individualized treatment Lynn Falwell, 66, of Natick, Massachusetts knew that she couldn’t and non-surgical consultation and intervention for a variety of For more information about the Spine Center at Newton-Wellesley plan is created. The treatment plan can include live any longer with her arthritis pain. The severe discomfort was spine conditions and needs, including: Hospital, please call CareFinder at 866-NWH-DOCS (694-3627) or visit any of the following components: www.nwh.org/spine. affecting her quality of life and preventing her from taking part in • Neck and arm pain • Patient education everyday activities. • Back and leg pain Jessica Aidlen, MD • Surgery “I had severe nerve pain in my right hip, back and right leg along • Spinal stenosis Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon at the Spine Center, • Therapeutic exercise programs for with unrelenting muscle spasms,” explains Lynn. “I was miserable. • Disc herniations Newton-Wellesley Hospital cardiovascular and muscular fitness I couldn't sit down at all so I couldn't drive or even ride in the car • Second opinions for surgery Dr. Aidlen received her medical degree from the State University • Pain management and pharmacologic for more than just a short time. I could only lie down for about • Workers’ compensation claims of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. interventions four hours before the pressure on the cyst made the pain too great • Chronic back and neck pain She completed her residency in orthopaedic surgery at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and her fellowship training in • Spinal injections to stay horizontal.” • Degenerative disorders of cervical and lumbar spine spinal surgery at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital. She is board certified in • Worksite evaluations and ergonomic Lynn was referred to Jessica Aidlen, MD, Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon “I was referred to Dr. Aidlen by Lauren Elson, MD a physiatrist at orthopaedic surgery. recommendations at the Spine Center at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. “I knew that I • Joint mobilization and manipulation the NWH Spine Center,” says Lynn. “My experience with the Spine Lauren Elson, MD needed to see someone quickly,” says Lynn. “I own a business and Center team has been great. The Center was easy to get to and park, • Complementary therapies including also have many active interests including horseback riding – all of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician at the which made it convenient for me with my pain. The staff were all Spine Center, Newton-Wellesley Hospital acupuncture which were being compromised. Because of the pain, I had to work kind, attentive and very helpful and the medical staff were wonderful Dr. Elson received her medical degree from Tufts University School standing up and I couldn't visit my clients except by phone. My and sympathetic to my situation.” energy levels were also diminished from dealing with all the pain.” of Medicine and completed her residency at New York Presbyterian After a complete evaluation, Dr. Aidlen diagnosed Lynn with arthritis Hospital (Columbia/ Cornell) in physical medicine and rehabilitation. Conveniently located at Newton-Wellesley’s Ambulatory Care Center in a portion of her lumbar spine, which resulted in spinal instability She also completed a sports medicine fellowship at Stanford at Wells Ave in Newton, the Spine Center offers the expertise of and stenosis (compression of the spinal nerves). University. Dr. Elson is board certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation and leading back and neck experts. Their skilled team provides surgical sports medicine. Family HealthSource page 2 Family HealthSource page 3 The Device Clinic is located on the second floor of the Hospital blood clots. In addition, life-threatening aneurysms in large arteries and is open Monday through Wednesday from noon to 4:30 pm can be treated by introducing grafts through a catheter utilizing and Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. For more information, call advanced imaging technology. 617-243-3705. The Elfers Center also incorporates Newton-Wellesley’s top rated The Elfers Cardiovascular Center is a multidisciplinary center that Cardiac Rehabilitation and Disease Management Program, which is will provide the highest quality cardiology care in collaboration with committed to helping patients feel secure after a heart attack and the Massachusetts General Hospital Cardiology Division. Newton- other injuries to the heart. Cardiac “rehab” and wellness programs Wellesley has had an excellent relationship with Mass General and including diet, exercise and stress reduction, along with education has been working closely with their team to develop the plans to and ongoing guidance, have been successful in reducing the like- expand our existing services and technology and add new services. lihood of future cardiac events. Newton-Wellesley recently launched a Heart Failure Disease Management program– a focused support The Center, centrally located in more than 20,000 square feet of system based on patient education, regular contact with the patient space, is dedicated to the early diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and and collaboration with the primary care physician. The program rehabilitation of patients with cardiovascular disease. Patients have has been shown to improve the medical condition of participants, access to expert medical teams, including cardiologists, vascular reduce hospitalizations and enhance the quality of life. surgeons, electrophysiologists and interventional radiologists from both Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Mass General–all in one “Our new Center reflects two themes that are central to national convenient location, close to home. health care reform: the importance of preventive care and the need for care to be provided in a cost-effective setting,” says Dr. “We are pleased to be able to provide these new services at Newton- Philippides. “High-quality community hospitals, as compared to Wellesley,” says George Philippides, MD, Chief of Cardiology at major academic medical centers, are widely considered to be Newton-Wellesley. “Through our collaboration with Mass General, more cost-effective settings. This benefits patients and families in we provide a well-coordinated approach to ongoing care in the the western suburbs of Boston, who will appreciate top quality care community that will require fewer trips downtown to the major that is conveniently located nearby.” academic medical centers, even for emergency care.” For more information about the Elfers Cardiovascular Center The next phase of the Center, the new procedure suite, will include at Newton-Wellesley Hospital,