WILLIMANTIC —Windham Hospital continues to expand orthopedic surgical options for patients.
On May 8, Dr. Daniel George performed a lumbar (lower back) discectomy in the Windham Hospital operating room. It was the first time in more than 13 years that spine surgery was performed at the hospital. The same day procedure, which removes herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord, was a success with the patient being able to leave the hospital just hours after surgery.
George is one of four orthopedic surgeons from the Center for Bone and Joint Care Orthopedic Associates of Windham County to join the Windham Hospital medical staff as part of the revitalization plan for the hospital. The plan also includes adding cardiologists, expanding diagnostic cardiac testing and enhancing the hospitalist program. In late 2016, surgeons from the practice began performing Mako Robotic Arm-Assisted Surgery for hip replacement and partial knee replacement at the hospital.
“I’m very excited to be able to offer high quality, state-of-the art spine services in a community setting like Windham,” says Dr. George. “The hospital has been very supportive in getting us the equipment we need. And, the staff has been excellent, receiving the training and in-service necessary to offer these new services.”
Dr. George hopes to steadily build the spine service program at Windham, offering conservative options, like physical therapy and injections, for lower back and neck ailments, and surgery when necessary.
“Windham Hospital being able to once again offer spine surgery is great news for our patients,” said Bimal Patel, Hartford HealthCare East Region president. “Along with spine and robotic hip and knee replacement, we continue to explore options to offer the most technologically advanced procedures that will make Windham Hospital a hub for orthopedic care in northeastern Connecticut.”
The patient, a Willimantic resident, is home and says he’s doing very well.
“Everything went well and the staff was great,” he said after the procedure. “I was in and out [of the hospital]” It was nice not to have to travel too far for this.”
Dr. Daniel George is seeing patients in Willimantic in the Windham Hospital Family Health Center at 5 Founders Street. To contact Dr. George, call 860.963.2133.