Total Spine Treatment

When it comes to the treatment of spine disorders, Tift Regional Medical Center (TRMC) offers many innovative surgical and non-surgical interventions. As the region's first truly comprehensive spine program, the experts on our staff are available to identify and treat conditions of the back and neck, ranging from the most common to the most complex. Whether a patient's treatment is medical or surgical, TRMC is dedicated to applying cutting-edge technology, the latest techniques and the most effective therapies to help patients reach their maximum recovery potential.

Advanced Diagnostic Imaging
Expert Surgical Care
Minimally-invasive Procedures
Innovative Spine Physical Therapy

Conditions Treated

Degenerative disc disease
Spinal stenosis
Arthritis of the spine
Acute and chronic neck and low back pain
Scoliosis
Spine trauma

There are some conditions that are best treated surgically, after conservative treatment has failed. Common examples of spinal surgery include:

Microdiscectomy
Cervical discectomy and fusion
Cervical and lumbar laminectomy
Fusion of the cervical and lumbar spine

Our Providers

Tift Regional Medical Center has two orthopedic spine surgeons and a spine physical therapist on staff, offering comprehensive patient-centered services for individuals whose spine disorders affect their health and productivity. Through a comprehensive approach and use of modern day techniques, our providers provide each patient with the customized treatment options they need in order to improve function and reduce pain. Our partnering physicians pride themselves in their ability to offer the latest in surgical techniques through the use of minimally invasive spine surgery. Through this modern approach to spine care, our patients benefit from minimized recovery time as well as decreased risk for infection.

Edward Hellman, M.D.
Board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon

The Spine and Scoliosis Center at
Georgia Sports Medicine
1610 John Orr Drive, Building A, Tifton, GA 31794
Phone: 229-386-5222
www.thespineandscoliosiscenter.com

Dr. Edward Hellman is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in the medical treatment and surgical care of spine-related conditions. He earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois, followed by an orthopedic surgical residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Upon graduation from his residency, Dr. Hellman was accepted into the Leatherman Spine Fellowship held in conjunction with the Spine Institute for Special Surgery, the University of Louisville and Kosair Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hellman practices with the Spine and Scoliosis Center at Georgia Sports Medicine and performs surgery at Tift Regional Medical Center.

Hewatt McGraw “Mac” Sims, M.D.
Board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon

Orthopedic Spine Center
1622 Madison Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794
Phone: 229-388-5625

Dr. Sims is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon with expertise in both non-operative and surgical treatment for back problems and spinal disorders. After earning his medical degree from Mercer University, Dr. Sims completed a residency in orthopedic surgery at the Medical College of Georgia and a spine fellowship at the Denver Spine Education and Research Institute. Dr. Sims practices with Orthopedic Spine Center and performs surgical procedures at Tift Regional Medical Center.

Melanie K. Peavy, MPT, RN, BSN
Licensed physical therapist specializing in spinal care

TRMC Spine Therapy Center
Two locations:

1622 Madison Avenue, Tifton, GA 31794
907 E. 18^th Street, Suite 200, Tifton, GA 31794

Phone: 229-353-3047
For more information on the Spine Therapy Center click here.

Melanie K. Peavy, MPT, RN, BSN is licensed physical therapist with advanced training in non-operative spinal care. Melanie earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Valdosta State University and a master's degree in physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, with special training in spinal physical therapy. Melanie has received two additional years of post-graduate education in the specialized evaluation and treatment of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine towards her doctorate of physical therapy.