H. Chester Boston, Jr. MD, received his medical training at the University of Alabama. After completing an orthopaedic residency at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Boston established the University Orthopaedic Clinic with Dr. John P. Buckley. Dr. Boston's particular area of interest is the spine. In 1991, he was Senior Spine Fellow at the University of Maryland.

Low back pain is a major cause of disability for workers and one reason workers' compensation costs stay on the rise. This pain is sometimes the result of a degenerating disc, the spongy cushion in between the vertebrae. UOC follows sound medical practice by first treating low back pain conservatively with rest, physical therapy, medication and bracing. When all non-operative treatment is exhausted, surgery may be necessary.

A new surgical procedure, called lumbar interbody fusion, is proving to be more effective than older procedures. This new method uses a unique hollow implant made of a titanium alloy. The implant stabilizes affected vertebrae, thereby reducing pain and improving function. In a recent study, pain reduction and improvement of daily function occurred in 90% of the patients. A two year follow-up of the same patients showed that almost 70% of those who were either working or disabled at the time of surgery were at work one year later and almost 80% were working two years later.

H. Chester Boston, Jr., M.D., UOC's spine specialist, studied this new procedure in Vancouver where he completed a hands on course given by the North American Spine Association. Dr. Boston recommends that aggressive non-operative treatment be pursued first in cases of low back injury. But when that fails, the new lumbar interbody fusion procedure may be what's necessary to relieve suffering and return an employee back to work.

If you would like more information about this new procedure, please email your questions, or call UOC's Brenda Miles at 205-345-0192.