Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies Hosts Annual Joint Walk on Sept. 13

The Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies is holding its third annual “Joint Walk” for surgery patients at its Fort Collins office on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008.

            The walk celebrates the health and success that thousands of patients have enjoyed after joint replacement surgery.

The event begins with registration at 10 a.m. The walk gets underway at 10:30 along the city’s Spring Creek and Poudre River Trails. It’s followed by lunch, a welcome by Orthopaedic Center doctors, and remarks by a guest speaker, Ronny Bush of Fort Collins.

 The Joint Walk takes place at the Orthopaedic Center (OCR), 2500 E. Prospect Road. Participants may walk any distance they are able to – from the official one- or two-mile distances or something much shorter.

OCR is located along the Spring Creek Trail, part of the city’s bicycle-pedestrian trail system. Parking is readily available in OCR’s lot.

            For more information, contact Armi Hall, (970) 419-7140 or ahall@orthohealth.com

August 19, 2008 Spinal Surgeon Seminar in Estes Park

For Immediate Release: August 14, 2008

Contact: Armi Hall, (970) 419-7140, ahall@orthohealth.com

Orthopaedic Center’s Spinal Surgeon

Presents Seminar August 19 in Estes Park

            Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies spinal surgeon will discuss back and neck problems and treatments, including new artificial discs, during a free seminar August 19 at the Estes Park Museum.

Dr. Robert Benz will discuss the new artificial discs and other treatments for back and neck disorders in a special program for Aspen Club members, the Estes Park community, and visitors on Tuesday, August 19, at 1 p.m. at the Museum, 200 Fourth Street, in Estes Park. To register, call the Aspen Club, 624-1860.

Because of age, injury, or other factors, people can develop serious problems such as disc herniation (bulging disc) and narrowing of the spinal canal (the passage for the spinal cord and nerves).  These problems will usually produce pain or weakness in the shoulders, arms, or legs.  Occasionally there can be enough pressure on the spinal cord that we develop problems with co-ordination.  Simple tasks such as buttoning buttons or writing our names become more challenging.  With these symptoms, it is best to check with your physician to see if further testing needs to be done. 

In the past, disc herniations in the neck generally required removal of the degenerated disc and fusion of spine. Now, new treatments involving placing an artificial disc in the neck may be a better option for certain patients who meet the criteria for the operation. This treatment preserves motion of the spine and decreases the chance that additional surgeries will be needed.