Our newest Interventional Spine Physiatrists, Dr. Derek Bui and Dr. Chandni Patel provide pain medicine services at the UNC Spine Center. They assess patients with chronic pain syndromes and provide a multimodal treatment plan that includes therapy, medications, and injection therapy. They perform a variety of spine and peripheral joint pain procedures, including epidurals, radiofrequency ablation, sacroiliac joint injections, and peripheral nerve blocks. And offer advanced treatments such as peripheral nerve stimulation and spinal cord stimulation to help manage chronic pain and improve patient outcomes.
What drew you to specialize in Interventional Physiatry?
CP: I chose to go into physiatry because it allows me to help patients regain functionality, independence, and improve their quality of life. The ability to work with individuals across a range of conditions, from musculoskeletal injuries to neurological disorders, and support them in reaching their full potential is deeply rewarding.
DB: I appreciate physiatry’s holistic approach to evaluating, diagnosing, and developing a treatment plan to improve function. Additionally, the technical skills involved are challenging and fulfilling.
What do you like best about working at the UNC Spine Center?CP: I enjoy working at the UNC Spine Center because of its supportive, multidisciplinary environment that fosters collaboration across various specialties to provide comprehensive patient care. The opportunity to work alongside skilled professionals from different fields ensures that patients receive holistic, well-rounded treatment tailored to their unique needs. This collaborative approach not only enhances patient outcomes but also enriches my professional growth and learning.
DB: The collegial atmosphere that cultivates helping each other and the patients.
What future advances do you see benefiting the patients you serve?
CP: Future advances in minimally invasive spine procedures and neuromodulation hold great promise for offering even more effective and personalized treatment options for patients. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see improved precision, faster recovery times, and enhanced outcomes, giving patients greater choices for managing spine-related pain and disorders. These innovations will allow us to tailor treatments even more closely to individual patient needs, further improving their quality of life.
DB: There is constant innovation in the field of interventional spine and pain. Neuromodulation and basivertebral nerve ablation are areas of interest. I will continue to learn and reassess the potential benefits for patients. However, I will always begin with less-invasive, conservative approaches which are often the most beneficial.