Description

This episode will provide you with practical research and insights on proven approaches to effectively assess, diagnose and treat patients with spinal stenosis and other forms of arthritis. Hear 'world expert in spinal stenosis' Dr. Carlo Ammendolia outline how he delivers optimal treatment to his patients and subtle variations between demographics.  

He offers tips and resources on how to assess a patient's physical, functional and psychosocial issues to help you strengthen your skills in these areas. As part of an interprofessional clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Dr. Ammendolia shares examples of his collaborations with physicians as part of a patient's circle of care team.  And be sure to check the show notes for links to ‘must read’ arthritis research and resources discussed throughout this podcast.

Topics Covered:

• Why arthritis is a rising priority
• New research on arthritis and pain
• New BMJ guideline for treating degenerative spinal stenosis
• Approach to  assessing, diagnosing and treating arthritis
• Treating different demographics
• Collaborating with physicians as part of the circle of care for a patient with arthritis: on next steps, imaging and more
• Tips for building collaborative relationships with physicians
• Providing optimal care for patients with arthritis
• Assessing psychosocial issues and specific skills to hone
• Enhancing compliance and patient outcomes

Key Links to References/Resources Discussed:

• Spine Clinic and the Spinal Stenosis Program 
• Status of Arthritis in Canada (from the Arthritis Society)
• BMJ Guideline for Spinal Stenosis
• Non-Surgical Interventions for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Leading To Neurogenic Claudication: A Clinical Practice Guideline
• Prevention and treatment of low back pain: evidence, challenges, and promising directions 
• Michael  Schneider - University of Pittsburgh

OCA Circle It Arthritis Campaign Links:

• Circle It Arthritis Campaign (on OCA member page)
• Team Approach to Arthritis Pain  (for MDs and other health care professionals)
• Help to Manage Your Arthritis (for patients)

About Dr. Carlo Ammendolia:

Dr. Ammendolia is the Director of the Spine Clinic and the Spinal Stenosis Program at the Rebecca MacDonald Centre for Arthritis and Autoimmune Disease at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. 

He received his MSc degree in Clinical Epidemiology and Health Care Research and his Ph.D. in Clinical Evaluative Sciences from the University of Toronto and his Chiropractic degree from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto. 

Dr. Ammendolia is an Assistant Professor in the Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, the Department of Surgery, and the Institute of Medical Sciences at the University of Toronto. 

In 2012 and 2017, Dr. Ammendolia was the recipient of the Professorship in Spine Award from the Department of Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine.  Dr. Ammendolia has been in clinical practice for over 39 years and now combines clinical practice, research, and teaching in the areas of non-operative treatment of mechanical, degenerative, and inflammatory spinal disorders with a special interest in degenerative spinal stenosis. 

In 2021. He was given the distinction of “world expert” in spinal stenosis by Expertscape based on his publication in this area in the past 10 years. ​

Our next podcast will drop in late January 2022.