Dr. John Greco, Spine

"“I have a special interest in treating patients who have significant spine problems. Every patient should leave my office knowing their pain will be thoroughly investigated, the nature of their dysfunction explained and the appropriate treatment protocol established.”

Back problems will be suffered by 8 out of every 10 people sometime in their lives. A healthy back is the source of our mobility and strength. When this complex structure of nerves, vertebrae, disks, and spinal cord is injured, it can severely restrict activity, reduce work capacity, and diminish our overall quality of life.

An orthopaedic surgeon is dedicated to treating the musculoskeletal framework of the body. Those with fellowship training in the spine work at the very core of the specialty. Dr. John Greco is such a specialist. “At its infancy, spinal surgery was actually reserved for infections of the spine like tuberculosis. Today, my practice serves wide cross section of the population—young children with scoliosis, athletes with back trauma, middle aged and older laborers with work injuries, and seniors with spinal stenosis or other degenerative conditions.” While the conditions and demographics may be varied, staying active longer is the goal of all Dr. Greco’s patients

Because of the chronic nature of spinal injuries and conditions, Dr. Greco places heavy emphasis on getting to know each of his patients. “It’s my job to take away the fear of the unknown by making sure there is a clear understanding of the situation. If I can explain the diagnosis and associated pain and offer treatment options, patients are less likely to be fearful.” Communication is imperative since there is often no surgical cure for chronic pain. “One of the biggest myths I have to dispel is that of the quick fix. In some cases, rushing to surgery can potentially worsen the problem. Most people respond well to non-surgical, conservative measures, but they must also consider a lifetime activity adjustment to improve their symptoms.”

When surgery is indicated, patients can sometimes be treated with minimally invasive procedures compared with more invasive procedures performed in the past. “The advances in techniques and technology with regard to spine surgery are profound. Non fusion and dynamic stabilization are accomplished by inserting a device to strengthen and stabilize the back, addressing the problem while retaining patient mobility. Gene replacement technology is promising for aging discs. And in the future more disks will be repaired with artificial components.” Other new procedures include advances in microendoscopic discectomy where the disc is removed through a small tube and kyphoplasty which involves inserting bone cement into vertebral compression fractures for pain relief.

Whether you are experiencing a typical backache, or have a serious condition affecting your daily routine, Dr. John Greco offers a commitment to patients with spinal problems to minimize anxiety, investigate the source of pain and maximize return of function.