Fellowship-Trained
To be considered fellowship-trained, a physician must complete four years of medical school, five years of an orthopedic residency, and one year of in-depth sub-specialty training in an area of orthopedics.
Minimally Invasive
Advances in diagnostic imaging, surgical techniques, instrumentation and equipment have allowed surgeons to address certain conditions of the spine through smaller incisions and with less traumatic approaches than those associated with traditional spinal surgical techniques. The potential benefits of these new "minimally invasive" or "minimal access" techniques include:
- Small Surgical Incisions
- Less Soft Tissue Disruption and Damage to Spinal Muscles
- Less Blood Loss
- Reduced Risk of Infection
- Reduced Scarring
- A Reduction in Post-Operative Pain
- A Shortened Hospital Stay
- A Faster Recovery
Board-Certified
Board certification demonstrates a physician’s exceptional expertise in a particular specialty and/or subspecialty of medical practice. It involves a rigorous process of testing and peer evaluation that is designed and administered by specialists in the specific area of medicine.
Physician Assistant
A physician assistant (PA) is a medical professional who is nationally certified and state-licensed to practice medicine. All PAs are graduates of an accredited PA educational program. PAs are licensed to practice and authorized to prescribe medication in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories with the exception of Puerto Rico. They practice medicine in all settings and specialties.
Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to provide health care to patients. All NPs must complete a master's or doctoral degree program, and have advanced clinical training beyond their initial professional registered nurse preparation, and board certification in their specialty. NPs undergo rigorous national certification, periodic peer review, clinical outcome evaluations, and adhere to a code for ethical practices.
Certified Nurse Practitioner
NPs certified by the ANCC have demonstrated their specialty expertise and validated their knowledge to employers and patients, through targeted exams that incorporate the latest nursing-practice standards.
Pedorthist
A pedorthist is a healthcare professional with specific training in footwear, which includes shoes, shoe modifications, foot orthoses and other pedorthic devices, to solve problems in, or related to, the foot and lower limb.