By Annette Pinder

As many medical practices have decided to close their doors or offer limited or virtual services during the COVID-19 pandemic, one local practice has decided to adopt a different approach in treating the patients who need them more now than ever.

“After extensive discussions, the leadership at Buffalo Spine and Sports Medicine made the decision to stay open,” says Maria Gambino RN MBA, the practice’s Executive Director. Michael Cicchetti, M.D., a board-certified physician in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine, and Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, explains, “We are open because our patients need us, and we need to be there for them.”

“Many of our patients are experiencing excruciating pain,” says Dr. Cicchetti. “They are people whose suffering continues despite the coronavirus. Some patients can’t walk, sleep, or function because of their pain. Some require surgical procedures, but they cannot undergo surgery during the pandemic because of hospital restrictions on elective procedures. They reach out to us for help. We don’t want them to suffer and resort to self-medication or substance abuse. We see them, write a prescription if necessary, and give them an injection to help ease their pain to get them through the next couple of months.”

Dr. Cicchetti says, “Many offices are taking all precautions to limit their exposure and keep everyone safe by canceling and rescheduling appointments. The problem with that is you leave so many patients stranded, and arbitrarily classify every procedure as elective. In the midst of this kind of suffering, we see our services as essential, and believe we have no other choice than to treat people who need us. The bottom line is, we are treating patients because we believe that no one knows better than they do when it comes to assessing the pain and discomfort they are experiencing.”

To ensure patient safety, Buffalo Spine is taking every precaution to keep their providers, patients, and staff safe. They are also offering virtual services but see patients who need to be seen in person. “We also don’t want patients flooding emergency departments, urgent care centers, and primary care offices. By being here for them, we are helping decrease their risk of exposure at care centers that are already overwhelmed,” explains Dr. Cicchetti.

Dr. Cicchetti is also cognizant of the anxiety, fear, and financial repercussions of the virus. He says, “Many of our staff, living from paycheck to paycheck, are worried. To ease their anxiety, we are doing what we can to support them. We know our doctors will get by, but our employees will have a tougher time, so we are avoiding cuts wherever possible, particularly for those who will be most severely impacted by a loss of income.”

Buffalo Spine & Sports Medicine is located in Buffalo, Amherst, and Orchard Park. Learn more at www.BuffSpine.com or call 716-626-0093 for an appointment.