Emphasizing minimally invasive care, St. George Orthopedic Spine helps patients get back to doing what they love

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CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Spinal problems can be painful and debilitating, but recovery is possible. St. George Orthopedic Spine helps patients regain their freedom of movement and enjoy a better quality of life through both surgical and nonoperative solutions. 

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St. George Orthopedic Spine is well-equipped to address a full spectrum of spine issues, including degenerative conditions, disc disorders, spinal deformities and spine trauma. The physicians are dedicated to treating every patient as a nonoperative case first and foremost.  

“We’re here to help people and get them back to their active lifestyles in the most minimally invasive way possible,” orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. David G. Barnes said. “We always try to recommend the least invasive procedure; however, sometimes more is necessary to adequately address the patient’s issues.”  

Dr. Kristoffer R. West started the clinic nine years ago. Barnes said most of the growth they’ve experienced has come from word-of-mouth advertising. Patients are receiving exceptional care and telling friends and family how St. George Orthopedic Spine has changed their lives. 

In an effort to keep up with Southern Utah’s growing population, West added two experienced surgeons, Barnes and Dr. Mark H. Stouffer, to his team in 2021. The physicians are supported by certified nurse practitioners Robert K. Hurst and Tyler Davis. 

They also opened a second location in Cedar City last year to better serve patients from Iron County and surrounding areas. In the past, people living in Southern and Central Utah’s rural communities were forced to drive either to St. George or the Utah Valley for treatment. St. George Orthopedic Spine now provides access to high-quality care much closer to home. 

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Barnes and Stouffer make the trip north at least once a week to see patients for clinical care and perform surgeries at Cedar City Hospital.  

“Spine care in Cedar City was limited before, but we now consistently and effectively offer a full spectrum of spine care to patients in that region,” Barnes said. 

Between their two locations, the providers at St. George Orthopedic Spine treat patients living as far north as Richfield and as far south as Mesquite, Nevada. They also handle roughly half of all spine trauma cases admitted to St. George Regional Hospital. 

Barnes said many of their patients belong to Southern Utah’s substantial retirement-age population, but they treat people from their teens into their 90s. The providers recognize that each patient is unique and that every spine problem requires a thoughtful, individualized treatment plan. 

“There’s a lot of moving parts in the spine, and a lot of times it’s not fully understood what’s causing the pain,” he added. “Instead of jumping right into a fusion, we like to do procedures that preserve the natural motion of the spine.” 

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Conservative care might include medications, physical therapy, activity modification, injections and imaging studies to aid in identifying the source of the patient’s pain. In cases where surgery is necessary, the source of the pain is targeted with a goal of returning to pain-free activity as quickly as possible.

The physicians are trained in the newest minimally invasive microscopic nerve decompression, fusion and disc replacement surgeries to render multidisciplinary care for neck and back problems. This type of surgery minimizes surgical scars, muscle damage, blood loss, postoperative pain and recovery time. St. George Orthopedic Spine is one of few clinics in Utah offering lumbar and cervical disc replacement, Barnes said. 

The aim is to help patients get back to doing the things they love, whether that’s tackling a rugged mountain bike trail or enjoying a friendly game of pickleball. Because an active patient is a healthy patient, Barnes said. 

Visit the St. George Orthopedic Spine website for more information about the clinic and to schedule an appointment.

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

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Resources

  • St. George Orthopedic Spine | Address: 617 E. Riverside Drive, Suite 302, St. George or 1870 N. Main St. #201, Cedar City | Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon | Telephone: 435-652-6024 | Email: [email protected] | Website.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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