Spine Universe Editorial Board

Board certified as an Orthopaedic Nurse, Mary Rodts, DNP, CNP, ONC, FAAN, is a Surgical Nursing Practitioner / Teacher of Surgical Nursing at Rush University Medical Center. She is part of the medical practice Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. In addition to nursing, education is a major part of Mary's work. Mary holds a faculty appointment at Rush College of Nursing, Rush University, where she is currently an Associate Professor. She is a preceptor to graduate students from Rush University and many local universities. The Howmedica Endowed Scholarship recognized Mary's dedication to education in orthopaedic nursing.

She is a member and former past president of the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON). NAON twice awarded Mary the Outstanding Contribution Award in recognition of her contributions to the continued growth and development of the association. Currently, she is the Editor in Chief of NAON's journal, Orthopaedic Nursing. She is also Guest Editor of specific issues for the Nursing Clinics of North America. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

In addition to nursing associations, Mary is one of very few nurses who is a member of the Scoliosis Research Society. She is a recipient of the Scoliosis Research Society's Walter P. Blount award. Mary has presented her extensive medical research at international and national speaking engagements, contributing twenty-four articles in peer-reviewed scientific publications and eight chapters to medical books.

Mary Rodts, DNP, CNP, ONC, FAAN is on the Spine Universe Editorial Board.

SpineUniverse articles from Mary Rodts, DNP, CNP, ONC, FAAN

• Back to School Following Spine Surgery
  Your doctor and nurse will give you specific instructions about participating in school activities.
• Can Therapeutic Massage Help to Relieve Back Pain?
  Therapeutic massage is a popular therapy back pain sufferers turn to for relief.
• Cauda Equina
  An illustration of the cauda equina or horse's tail
• Ergonomic Chairs and Seat Adjustment
  While most people believe sitting is relaxing, sitting is actually hard on the back because it transfers the full weight of the upper body onto the buttocks and thighs.
• Ergonomic Standards
  Ergonomics plays an important role in keeping workers safe and healthy. It doesn't matter whether you work in a factory, office, or at home; how you treat your body during work affects your spine. Article explains how to avoid back and neck pain.
• Ergonomics: The Human Body and Injury Prevention
  Ergonomics is concerned with how our environment interacts with our work. It also looks for ways to decrease the risks of injury and illness.
• Espondiolistesis: lesión lumbar y tratamiento
  Bienvenido a la sección Explicación de Espondiolistesis, diseñada para ayudarlo a saber más sobre la espondiolistesis y su tratamiento.
• From One Scoliosis Bracer to Another
  Bracing for scoliosis raises many questions for children and parents. Let's try to answer some of those questions, including how the brace is made and why this is a good treatment option for some children. Includes tips on getting used to the brace.
• Getting the Most from Your Visit to a Spine Specialist - Video
  Video interview featuring Mary Rodts, M.S., M.S.A., C.N.P., O.N.C., F.A.A.N. provides patients tips about getting the maximum benefit from a visit with a spine specialist.
• La columna vertebral normal
  Una vista lateral de la column ilustra las regiones y las curvas naturales.
• Las vértebras brindan apoyo a la columna
  La columna vertebral se compone de huesos individuales llamados vértebras, los cimientos que le proporcionan apoyo.
• Lateral and Posterior Views of the Spine
  An illustration of the spine showing the posterior (rear) and lateral (sagittal) views.
• Ligaments Support the Spine
  A normal spine is supported by various ligaments which are illustrated here.
• Many Ligaments and Muscles Attach to the Spine
  This illustration shows how the ligaments and muscles help support the spine and prevent excessive movement that could lead to injury.
• Medical Errors and How to Avoid Them
  Patients have a role in preventing medical errors. There are a number of ways you can help prevent medical errors from happening.
• Medical Errors: Prescriptions and Procedures
  Proactive patients ask questions about their care including keeping track of medications to help prevent medical errors.
• My Brace Hurts - What Should I Do?
  An orthotist - a person who makes braces to treat scoliosis - can help fix the spot that makes a brace difficult to wear.
• Neural Elements of the Spine
  An illustration of neural elements of a normal spine.
• Nurses
  There are many types of nurses including those who work with spine specialists in hospitals and doctors' offices.
• Play It Safe While Your Fusion Heals
  Tips to help you live your life at school and at play while helping your fusion heal.
• Post-Operative Care: Activity, Incision Care, Rehab and Recovery
  Each day following spine surgery the patient is encouraged to increase physical activity and to be as independent as possible.
• Preparing Your Child for Spine Surgery
  This Spine Chat video with Mary Rodts, MS, MSA, CNP, ONC, FAAN will help parents to learn the best ways to help their children face spinal surgery without fear.
• Prescription Medications and You
  Prescription medications are a fact of life for some people who suffer from back pain. Listed are important questions to ask your doctor about these drugs.
• Recovering from Spine Surgery: First Weeks at Home
  After spine surgery, it is recommended that you take it easy and get extra rest.
• Safety First: Prescription Medications and You
  Safety first! Prevent dangerous problems with prescription medications.
• School Bulletin for Safe Backpack Use
  Safety tips for choosing and using a backpack.
• Scoliosis Treatments: How Do Doctors Know if Your Spine's Curve Will Get Worse?
  Even though two scoliosis patients are the same age and their curves are about the same, doctors may recommend different treatments. It depends on the skeletal maturity -- how much growth is left. Learn how doctors choose scoliosis treatments.
• Spinal Bracing for the Young
  This Spine Chat video with Mary Rodts and Jeremy Longhurst explores bracing for children and adolescents.
• Spondylolisthesis: An x-ray of a healthy spine without Spondylolisthesis
  Spondylolisthesis, an X-ray showing a healthy spine without spondylolisthesis.
• Spondylolisthesis: An x-ray of a spine with a slippage at L5-S1.
  Spondylolisthesis; x-ray of a spine with a slippage at L5-S1.
• Spondylolisthesis: Back Condition and Treatment
  This in-depth discussion about spondylolisthesis explains what causes a vertebra to slip, what the different grades of slippage look like, who’s at risk, what symptoms (including low back pain) patients may have, and the treatment options.
• Spondylolisthesis: Back Condition and Treatment
  Figure 2 of article entitled - Spondylolisthesis: Back Condition and Treatment illustrates a broken pars articularis.
• Spondylolisthesis: Back Condition and Treatment
  Figure 3 of article entitled - Spondylolisthesis: Back Condition and Treatment is a lateral x-ray view of this disorder (one vertebra slipped forward).
• Spondylolisthesis: Back Condition and Treatment
  Figure 4 of article entitled - Spondylolisthesis: Back Condition and Treatment is an x-ray showing where a lumbar vertebra has slid forward onto the vertebra below.
• Spondylolisthesis: Back Condition and Treatment
  Figure 1 of article entitled - Spondylolisthesis: Back Condition and Treatment pictures a normal lumbosacral spine.
• Spondylolisthesis: Diagram of L5 vertebra sitting correctly on the sacrum
  Spondylolisthesis: diagrams of L5 vertebrae sitting correctly and incorrectly on the sacrum.
• Spondylolisthesis: Picture of a typical brace used in treating spondylolisthesis
  Spondylolisthesis; picture of a typical brace used in treating spondylolisthesis.
• Spondylolisthesis: Treatment, Restrictions, Bracing, Medication
  Approximately 5% of the population has a spondylolisthesis, but many of those people will never need any treatment. The grade of slip (grades 1-5) and your symptoms will help determine your treatment. You may need bed rest, medications, or bracing.
• Spondylolisthesis: Treatment, Restrictions, Bracing, Medication
  Figure 5 of article entitled - Spondylolisthesis: Treatment, Restrictions, Bracing, Medication. A lumbosacral orthotic (brace) is pictured.
• Spondylolisthesis; Surgical Procedures, Preparation, and Postoperative Care
  Be prepared for surgery with this article, which covers all aspects of before, during, and after your procedure. An excellent article for anyone who has questions about what happens once you get to the hospital.
• Su columna sana
  Hoy en día muchos pacientes y sus familias desean comprender el trastorno médico que enfrentan.
• Surgical Wound Care: Questions and Answers
  Typical questions patients ask about surgical wounds are answered by Mary Rodts, Assistant Professor of Nursing.
• The Normal Spinal Column
  Many of the elements of the spinal column are detailed in this illustration.
• Vertebrae Provide Support for the Spine
  An illustration of the spine with a spinal segment enlarged to highlight the location of the vertebrae, discs, pedicles, and facet joints.
• What is Post-Operative Care?
  Post-operative recovery starts in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). This unit is dedicated to meet the patient’s needs thereby minimizing post-operative complications.
• Why Do I Have to Wear a Brace?
  Bracing may be prescribed to help prevent scoliosis - an abnormal curvature of the spine - from progressing.
• Your Healthy Spine
  To understand a spinal condition, it is helpful to first understand some basics about the spine. For example: What does it do? What is it made of? What are its different parts? What does a healthy spine look like?