Spine Universe Author Biography

Kristen Karl Juarez, RN, MSN is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center and works with Howard An, M.D., an orthopaedic spine surgeon, in collaborative practice focusing on both direct patient care and clinical research.

Ms. Jaurez graduated from Rush University College of Nursing and worked on the orthopaedic-neurosurgical unit for two years. She then worked a year in the surgical intensive care unit caring for post-surgical patients from a variety of specialties including: cardiovascular surgery, transplant, general surgery, neurosurgery and orthopaedic surgery. The time spent in surgical ICU broadened her nursing experience and knowledge of a variety of clinical diagnoses.

Wanting to pursue working specifically with orthopaedic patients, Ms. Jaurez completed a Masters of Science in Nursing from Rush University and returned to orthopaedic nursing, focusing mainly on post-operative spine patients. Ms. Jauarez is an active member in her local chapter of National Association of Orthopedic Nurses (NAON), and served as vice-president of her chapter in 1999. Ms. Juarez annually attends the North American Spine Society (NASS) meetings and has presented her latest research in spine care at the meeting. Additionally, she provides lectures and in-services to medical center's orthopedic nursing staff and nursing students throughout the year.

SpineUniverse articles from Kristen Karl Juarez, RN, MSN

• Artificial Disc Replacement
  Orthopaedic surgeons have been engaged in research to offer an alternative to lumbar spinal fusion surgery; artificial spinal disk replacement.
• Reemplazo de Disco Artificial
  Existen múltiples opciones de tratamiento conservador y de invasión mínima para el manejo de la enfermedad por degeneración de disco sintomática.