“When we treat patients like relatives, siblings, acquaintances or our own family, the best thing will pursue”

In every treatment…It’s to return quality of life to patients.

Dr. Nantawat Uttamo, Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Chiangmai University, Specialist in Orthopedic Spine Disease Treatment with experiences and trainings from abroad, says that Spinal Disease comprehends from the neck (cervical) down to the coccyx and was frequently encountered in both Thais and foreigners. It’s a special disease not only treated as bone disease but also got nerves involved. The difficulty and complexity of spinal disease treatment is challenging and interesting for him.

“I’ve seen most of patients with spinal disease suffer a lot, particularly with Herniated disc which affects their daily life. If we succeed in spine surgery for this patient group, it will bring back their quality of life especially for the elderly to go back to stay happily with their children. ”

Spine Disease…problem that can happen to everybody

Dr. Nantawat says that normally an orthopedic doctor can diagnose and treat every symptom. However, spine is a complicated core organ so patients come to see us with various symptoms.

“There are different types of treatment for each spine disease which require many techniques to diagnose and plan treatment process. Most of young people suffer from Herniated disc. or Herniated nucleus pulposus as their working behavior of sitting consistently in front of computer causes Spondylosis and potentially becomes Herniated disc. For the elderly, they have Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) as aged which makes the spinal cord narrowed down and causes nerve compression which makes them pain and numbness. ”

MRI in standing position can generate more accurate results.

In the past, patients with spine disease were examined external by checking muscles, nerves, numbness and pain whether it happened along the nerve tube. Patients might be given a contrast agents injection into the spinal cord to see whether any fluid showed. Nowadays, MRI or Magnetic resonance imaging does not require patients to take risk with any contrast agents anymore and it also generates more accurate results of nerves and spine.

“There are many advances in MRI Technology nowadays. We usually use MRI to scan in the lay-down position but from some doctors’ experiences, pain often finds in a standing or sitting position. At present, Phyathai 2 Hospital uses Upright MRI scanners to find the position of pain precisely. ”

Teamwork makes a quality outcome!

Dr. Nantawat says that our achievement comes from good treatment plan. At Phyathai 2 Hospital, Orthopedic doctors will work as a team so each can help double check symptoms and plan together to choose the best of both treatment and safety for patients.

“I believe that every doctor has the similar concept to treat patients like their own relatives and they can feel it. If we wish patients well, we will do our best to provide them the best option. Ultimately, the decision depends on patients, we have only the duty to be their best consultant. ”.