At Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists, our specialty-trained spine doctor in Wichita is an expert in providing evaluation and treatment for spine injuries and conditions.
When a person first experiences back pain, they often go to their family physician for help. That doctor may offer a treatment such as medication to help reduce the back pain. However, the physician may also refer the patient to a spine surgeon or spinal expert, especially if they believe the patient has an issue such as spinal stenosis, scoliosis, or another spine condition that requires a more comprehensive level of specialty care or that could potentially require surgery.
A spine specialist is a physician or surgeon who has undergone advanced training in diagnosing and treating spine issues or spinal disorders. These experts apply their knowledge and skills to help treat the underlying causes of back pain and spine conditions, such as degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis. Sometimes, these physicians will perform a type of spinal surgery, such as spinal fusion, disc replacement, or another spinal surgery.
Because these doctors have advanced knowledge and skills regarding the spine and back, they can offer guidance on the full range of spine care, from minimally invasive spine treatments, like epidural steroid injections, to an orthopaedic surgical treatment for a serious spine injury. When a patient meets with an orthopaedic spine doctor for the first time, the doctor may order an X-ray or other imaging tests so they can view the spine and spine injury in greater detail. This information will help the surgeon better understand the extent of the spine damage as well as determine the right treatment to recommend, whether it is back surgery, spine surgery, or a different treatment altogether.
You can find orthopaedic spine surgeons or doctors working or consulting in a variety of settings within the field of medicine, including a hospital, a spine center, a physical medicine and rehabilitation facility, or a sports medicine clinic. They may also consult directly about spinal issues with other specialists who come to them, such as physiatrists or rheumatologists. The patients they work with may include people with arthritis or people with neck problems, lumbar spine issues, or spinal disc issues. The doctor will be able to develop a treatment plan focused not only on reducing spine or back pain but also on treating the underlying issue.
Spine Symptoms of Concern
These experiences and symptoms can be related to spine problems and may be familiar to you:
- Cervical (neck) pain
- Leg pain
- Lumbar (lower back) spine pain
- Numbness
- Spine pain caused by twisting the torso
- Unable to straighten the spine
Common Spine Conditions & Injuries
A spine doctor or surgeon may diagnose you with one of the following orthopaedic spine injuries or conditions:
- Arthritis
- Fracture
- Spondylosis
- Sports medicine injury
- Subacromial bursitis
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Exceptional Spine Care at Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists
When you visit Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists in Wichita, you’ll meet with our board-certified and fellowship-trained spine doctor, Dr. Camden Whitaker. Dr. Whitaker and our other specialty-trained experts treat patients just like you, helping restore them to better health and an improved quality of life. They not only provide orthopaedic patient care and surgical procedures, but they also have a deep understanding of the challenges patients with joint issues face and know how to listen to and address your questions and concerns.
It's important to know that our doctors and orthopaedic surgeons always strive to recommend a noninvasive or nonsurgical treatment option first. Through their diagnostic process, they will be able to determine if something other than surgery, such as physical therapy or medication, will be the best approach.
If spine surgery is required, rest assured that our spine surgeon is highly skilled in the latest and most advanced surgical treatment options. He is also the first in the area to offer minimally invasive robotic-assisted lumbar procedures using the Mazor X Stealth™ Edition robotic guidance platform—a state-of-the-art technology that assists with predictability, visibility, and precision during minimally invasive and open orthopaedic spine surgeries. To learn more about the Mazor X Stealth platform, please use the button below.
Whether you need spine surgery, such as disc replacement, or a nonsurgical treatment option, our spine specialist will be with you every step of the way, from your first consultation at our office, during your surgical procedure or nonsurgical treatment, and through your recovery and rehabilitation.
Your Appointment
Our doctor in Wichita can assess and diagnose your condition and then consult with you about what treatment approach may be best for you. Sometimes, our spine doctor may consult with other experts at Kansas Joint & Spine Specialists about your spine problem. This opportunity for doctors to share knowledge and perspective is just one of the many benefits of being treated by our physicians.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our spine specialist by phone at (316) 219-8299 or by using the request an appointment button below. We have convenient office locations in Wichita and Anthony.
