1. science
2. medicine
3. surgery

An Educational Newsletter from the Hey Clinic
March 2007
On a Personal Note…
A
s we move into 2007, I am excited about another
great year to serve patients and the community.
Our goal of serving can best be summed up
Another great section of our
newsletter will be “Taking Care of
Your Core” and will provide tips on
in our ongoing mission to provide compassionate and
maintaining a healthy spine. Finally,
individualized spine care that focuses on our patients’ unique
we are also pleased to announce that
needs so they can improve their appearance, self-esteem,
our staff is growing to better assist
mobility and pursuit of the activities they enjoy.
One way we will continue to do this is through our
new quarterly newsletter, Straight Talk, which will keep
you, and this issue includes their
biographies and contact
information.
The staff and I hope
patients and the community up-to-date on our clinic and
advancements in the field of spine care and scoliosis. Our
you will find this information
feature article showcases the addition of bracing services
helpful and inspiring. We
at the Hey Clinic. Offering bracing services at our clinic is
look forward to serving you.
another way we are striving to accomplish our mission.
No longer will our patients have to make a trip to another
Warmest Regards,
location to be fitted for a brace. One of our helpful associates
will meet with the patient during their appointment to
answer questions and teach proper brace use.
Lloyd A. Hey, MD, MS
Hey Clinic Expands Patient Services
F
ocusing on positive outcomes and patient satisfaction
kyphosis curves. Digital imaging also affords our clinicians
has led the Hey Clinic to launch several new services
the ability to store patient X-rays for lifelong patient care and
that provide patients with premiere resources to
follow-up.
enhance their spine care experience.
The use of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) has also
The Hey Clinic is now offering bracing services. Spinal
been put in place. This addition along with digital imaging
braces are used to mobilize and support the spine and are often
allows us to provide real time generation of office visit notes so
used as part of the patient’s conservative treatment or worn
patients can leave with a copy of their clinic note and X-ray. It
during post-operative recovery. Now, while patients are in the
also provides quick turnaround of clinic notes and X-rays to our
exam room for their office visit we can provide individualized
referring and collaborating physicians.
fittings by one of our trained staff.
The increased use of technology coupled with the addition
Another way the Hey Clinic has improved patient
of services furthers the clinic’s goal of positive outcomes and
satisfaction is through the addition of digital imaging services
patient satisfaction by creating a greater convenience for the
as well as special equipment to produce full spine X-rays for
patient, reducing multiple registrations, and having all records
scoliosis patients and software that measures scoliosis and
and films in one integrated location.
3404 Wake Forest Road, Suite 203
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: 919.790.1717
Fax: 919.790.3894
www.heyclinic.com
Taking Care of Your Core
Developing A Calcium Habit Will Give You A Stronger Spine
G
ood habits are always hard to make, just as bad ones
calcium supplements can be an excellent and simple way to
often seem hard to break. One good habit we all have is
ensure your body gets enough calcium. Vitamin D helps your
brushing our teeth. When we were young, our parents
body absorb calcium appropriately, and your supplement should
drilled this habit into us, even when we only had a few baby
include 400 iu per dose. You can get some vitamin D from
teeth to brush. Later on during our teenage years, tooth brushing
your skin, which creates vitamin D from sunlight exposure.
was a good way to have a brighter smile and to avoid bad breath.
Most of us, though, do not get enough, particularly those using
Due to their prominent
sunscreen. While sunscreen
location in our smile, teeth
protects us from skin cancer by
are bones that get preferential
blocking out harmful sunrays, it
treatment over the other 206+
also reduces our skin’s ability to
bones in our body that are not as
produce vitamin D.
easily seen. However, these other
Your financial planner will
bones, including those in our
tell you that it is never too early
spine, need care to prevent bone
to start saving for college for
loss later in life due to osteoporosis. Here is the simple truth:
your kids and for your own retirement. The same is definitely
our body needs calcium at least twice a day every day, and we
true about your calcium account. In fact, the most critical
need to do it our whole life from childhood onward. However,
time to strengthen your bones is before you reach 40 years of
most Americans simply do not get the 1,000-1,300 milligrams of
age. During these younger years, your body can actually build
calcium plus the vitamin D they need. You would need to drink
stronger bones, storing away a lot of the calcium that you have
3 full glasses of milk or fortified orange juice a day to get enough
invested. Once you reach 40 (especially in women as they go
calcium to meet your basic daily requirements.
through menopause), bone loss occurs, and you are now starting
Why is calcium so important? Calcium is needed for your
to withdraw from your bank account. Since we are living so
brain, heart and other muscles to work. It is also the basic
much longer now, it is imperative that we build strong bones by
building block needed to keep your body’s skeletal structure
assuring proper calcium intake while we are young and making
standing tall and strong. However, if you do not take in enough
deposits into our calcium accounts.
(continued on p. 3)
calcium, your body takes it away from your bones as a calcium
reserve or bank account. We all know what happens if you keep
making withdrawals from your checking account and do not
make the necessary deposits. You bounce checks! And that is
exactly what happens for many people when they get older.
Bone loss is accelerated simply due to the aging process, already
putting your body in calcium debt. Then, not enough calcium is
ingested, furthering the calcium debt. Bones become fragile and
break, resulting in pain, decreased quality of life, and sometimes
spinal deformity.
The human body will only absorb up to 500 milligrams
of calcium at one time. Any additional calcium is normally
Amount of Calcium Needed Per Age Group
How much calcium do you need to “deposit” to properly
maintain your bones during your lifetime? Usually
infants and toddlers get enough calcium since their foods
are rich in calcium, however the rest of us may not. In
fact, experts estimate that only about 25% of boys and
10% of girls ages 9-17 get the recommended amount
of calcium. No matter what your age, it is important to
include calcium in your diet. Below is a chart* to help you
determine how much you need each day.
excreted, so taking a full dose of calcium tablets or eating all of
the full benefits of your calcium intake. You need to spread out
your calcium intake to two or three times a day. If you are a teen,
start taking your calcium now in the morning, with dinner, and
before you go to bed.
Most medical experts recommend people eat calcium-rich
foods, such as dairy and green leafy vegetables, to receive the
proper levels. However, the reality is that most of us do not get
enough of these foods in our daily diets. In these instances,
1,200
51+
Age in Years
your calcium-rich foods at one sitting will not be giving you
18–50
1,000
1,300
9–17
800
4–8
1–3
500
Milligrams
* Sources: National Osteoporosis Association & American
Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Hey Clinic News
Hey Clinic Adds New Family Members
Please join us in welcoming the following new members to the
in Biological and Life Sciences from North Carolina State
Hey Clinic family:
University, where she also minored in Business Administration,
Genetics and German. Following graduation, Brittany became
Jennifer Hardy, Scheduling Coordinator
a licensed EMT-Basic and began working in the second busiest
Jennifer moved to North Carolina from Utah
emergency department in Florida to gain experience in the
in 2004 and brings with her a variety of
medical field. Brittany then went on to earn her Master of
medical knowledge having worked as an office
Science in Physician Assistant studies from South University
manager in a chiropractic office and in the business/billing
in Savannah, Georgia. She can be reached at 919-790-1717
office at a growing pediatric dental office and ambulatory
extension 105 or via email at [email protected].
surgical center. She discovered her love of orthopedic medicine
while working at a large orthopedic office in the Triangle, first
Melissa Meier, BA, RTR
as an insurance coordinator then as a surgery coordinator and
Radiology Technologist
coder. She is currently completing her coding certification
Melissa was born and raised in Springfield,
through the American Association of Professional Coders. She
Virginia and has lived in North Carolina for
joins the Hey Clinic with six years of medical office experience
the past 10 years. She earned her Bachelor
and will be responsible for the scheduling of surgeries and all
of Science in Psychology at the University of Central Florida
outside studies. She can be reached at 919-790-1717 extension
and a Certificate in Radiologic Science from the University of
109 or via email at [email protected].
North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 2004. After graduating from
UNC and passing the North Carolina Registry, she worked
Brittany Harris, MSPAS, PA-C
as a radiologic technologist for Duke Orthopedics for 2 years
Physician Assistant
before joining the Hey Clinic, where she will expand her
Brittany recently joined the Hey Clinic as a
clinical responsibilities. Melissa will be responsible for all
Physician Assistant. She is a Wilmington, NC
X-rays as well as providing clinical assistance to Dr. Hey and
native and received her Bachelor of Science
his two physician assistants. She can be reached at 919-790-
Calcium Habit
1717 extension 107 or via email at [email protected].
(continued from p. 2)
We all have trouble developing habits for things when we
don’t see immediate results. At the Hey Clinic, we have seen the
long-term effects of calcium intake in the lives of patients. We
have done spine surgery on 80-year-old patients who have taken
Online With Dr. Hey
regular calcium during their whole lives and who have bones as
strong as oak. Just as we have taken care of 50-year-old men and
Late last year, the Hey Clinic launched a new website,
women who are already suffering with pain and deformity due
www.heyclinic.com, chockfull of helpful information
to osteoporotic compression fractures in their spine who have
not taken calcium regularly. Their bones are more like pine or
for both patients and the community alike. It also
includes a link to podcasts, patient photos, and a spine
balsa wood.
Once the bones get fragile, drugs
can help, if appropriate. However,
many patients wish they would have
deposited calcium in their “banks”
blog that provides insight into Dr. Hey’s thoughts,
experiences and activities at the clinic. His blog is
updated frequently to include comments about recent
early in their childhood. To keep your
surgeries, patient comments, and issues related to
calcium bank full, put a calcium pill
spine health. To read his personal blog, please visit
on your breakfast and dinner plates or maybe put the bottle
next to your toothbrush. Remember, it is important to care not
only for the bones you can see in your smile, but the bones in
your body that help you stand up, walk, and enjoy life.
www.heyclinic.com.
www.heyclinic.com
Stories From Our Patients
Return To An Hour-Glass Figure
“Like Father, Like Daughter”
Patient: Jennifer O.
Patient: Erica S. and Tim S.
Age: 16
Ages: 26 and 55
Diagnosis: Idiopathic Scoliosis (revision surgery)
Diagnosis: Moderate Scoliosis and Stenosis
Surgery Date: June 2005
Surgery Dates: December 2006 (Erica), September 2005 (Tim)
Jennifer was first diagnosed with
Tim and daughter Erica’s back troubles
idiopathic scoliosis at the age of 12.
started around the same time. She was
Jenny’s parents contacted an orthopaedic
diagnosed with moderate scoliosis in 1992
surgeon who took X-rays of Jenny and
at the age of 12 and Tim began having
discovered she had a lumbar curve
painful nerve sensations down his legs
of about 32 degrees. The surgeon
in his early 40’s. They both continued
recommended that the curve be watched
to lead very active lifestyles for the next
and suggested the use of conservative
decade despite the growing discomfort,
treatment during the next year. Jenny wore a brace at night in
including golfing for Tim and cheerleading for Erica. When Erica
an effort to stop the progression of her lumbar curve. During
was in graduate school at Johns Hopkins University, she learned
another visit with her surgeon, they were told that Jenny’s curve
about Dr. Hey at Duke University and his specialty in adolescent
had progressed to over 45 degrees, and surgery was the only
scoliosis. When she moved to the Triangle area and began
option. At the time, they were so concerned for their daughter’s
experiencing additional back and rib pain, she knew just who
health and well being that they did not seek out a second
to see. Erica’s father relayed to her that he had seen five doctors
opinion. Jenny’s surgery took place in July 2002 and her parents
in their home state of Ohio, and all methods of treatment had
thought her problems with scoliosis were over.
failed, leaving him with the impression that there was no “fix”
Over the next year or two, Jenny began to complain about
to his problem. This was a hard concept to accept when you
lower back pain. They found Dr. Hey and called to set up an
are known as “Mr. Fix-It.” Erica set up an appointment for her
appointment. After talking to Dr. Hey, they agreed she would
dad with Dr. Hey, and within a couple of weeks, Tim flew down
have revision surgery to replace her existing instrumentation
and found hope. Dr. Hey fused L4-L5 and relieved him of the
with a new type that Dr. Hey uses with a greater rate of success.
stenosis that had plagued him for years just in time to walk Erica
Jenny’s revision surgery took place in June 2005. Prior to surgery,
down the aisle. Fourteen months after his successful surgery, he
Jenny’s curve was about 31 degrees, with one of her hips sticking
watched his daughter go through an T12-L4 spinal fusion that
out much more than the other. Dr. Hey was able to bring her
rotated and straightened her spine to perfection. Tim’s golf game
curve to about 18 degrees and give Jenny back her “hour glass”
is better than ever, and Erica is on the mend. Both father and
figure. Now that she is recovered, she has told us it was well
daughter have a tremendous amount of gratitude for Dr. Hey and
worth it.
his wonderful staff. Tim and Erica now not only have a bond of
love, but a bond of titanium as well!
Contact Us
Hey Clinic Associate
Email
Ext.
The Hey Clinic’s reputation as a leading scoliosis and
spine surgery clinic continues to spread throughout
the medical and patient community. Whether you are
a patient, medical professional or just someone who
wants additional information on our expertise, we
encourage you to contact us at 919.790.1717. To the
right is a list of staff members and their extensions.
Lloyd A. Hey, M.D., M.S, Spine Surgeon
[email protected]
102
Cathy Sentgeorge, Practice Manager
[email protected]
101
Jaclyn Wagner, PA-C, Physician Assistant
[email protected]
103
Brittany Harris, PA-C, Physician Assistant
[email protected]
105
Melissa Meier, RTR, Radiology Technologist
[email protected]
107
Meredith Joyce, Front Office Coordinator
frontoffi[email protected]
104
919.790.1717
Cheryl Fritz, Billing Coordinator
[email protected]
108
Jennifer Hardy, Scheduling Coordinator
[email protected]
109