Brain injuries and conditions 

The brain is the command center of your body, so it is critical to protect it and keep it healthy. Our neurosurgeons offer unparalleled expertise and are skilled in diverse surgical and minimally invasive techniques used to treat a broad range of neurological conditions. They use state of the art diagnostic tools to develop and implement care plans that are as individualized as the patients being treated. In addition, they have access to cutting edge research providing the best possible outcome for each patient.

The neurosurgeons at The Center make it a priority to clearly communicate complicated conditions so that patients and their families are well informed to make decisions about their head and spine injuries. When surgical treatment is necessary, we stay with you every step of the way, through any necessary rehabilitation and follow-up, providing ongoing care. For over 50 years, patients throughout Central Oregon have trusted our team to create surgical and non-surgical approaches with nationally renowned results. If you have a neurological condition, make an appointment with one of our neurosurgeons at The Center so that we can help you get back to what you love.

Common conditions

• Cerebrovascular Disease
• Arteriovenous Malformations (AVMs)
• Concussion
• Stroke
• Complex Brain Tumors
• Hydrocephalus
• Traumatic Brain Injury

Back or neck pain

Back and neck pain are common complaints by millions of individuals of all ages and lifestyles. Over 80% of people experience at least one episode of back pain at some point in their life. The spine is one of the most important parts of your body. It helps you stand upright, move, and bend. Your spine is made up of small bones, called vertebrae, that stack up on each other with sponge-like jelly-filled disks between the bones, as well as muscles, ligaments, and nerves. There are many causes of back pain; from overuse to disk injury to degenerative disorders, like arthritis and osteoporosis. Back pain can vary from one person to the next, coming on suddenly or with a slow onset. The pain can be constant or intermittent. Regardless of the source of pain, our spine experts are here to help you regain the life that back pain took away from you.

Over 66% of people are affected by neck pain. Your neck, like your back, is made up of vertebrae. These support the head, brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Neck pain most often results from an injury or overuse.

Patients throughout Central Oregon trust our team of neurosurgeons and physiatrists to diagnose neck and back problems, and design treatment plans to meet each individuals goals. We leverage conservative methods such as injections, physical therapy, activity modification, and medication before considering surgical treatments.

Common conditions

• Cervical Radiculopathy

• Compression Fractures

• Herniated Disc

• Sciatica

• Sacroiliac Joint (SI Joint)

• Spinal Stenosis

• Spondylolisthesis

Treatments

• Epidural Steroid Injection

• Facet Joint Injections

• Kyphoplasty

• Laminectomy

• Lumbar Discectomy

• Lumbar Transformal Epidural Steroid Injection

• Radiofrequency Ablation

• Spinal Fusion

Find relief at our Center for Orthopedics & Neurosurgery

Not sure what’s causing your pain? Our "What Hurts" section helps you understand potential conditions affecting your bones, joints, muscles, and nerves. Simply select the area where you’re experiencing discomfort to learn more about common issues and possible treatment options from our expert orthopedic and neurosurgery team.

NOWcare is a service that is offered at our Neff Road clinic location that provides care without an appointment – on the same day whenever possible, or within the same week. This service is for patients with new or sudden injuries such as concussions, on-the-job injuries, sports injuries, sudden or severe musculoskeletal pain, and fractures or sprains.

• Open Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Expert care for all ages, including pediatrics and older adults
• Fracture care and casting
• X-ray
• Patients typically pay a regular office visit copay (if applicable)

If your pain or injury has been persistent or ongoing, please call 541-382-3344 to schedule an appointment with one of our providers.

Pre-surgery and surgery prep instructions

These instructions are not meant to replace any information given to you by your physician. If you have questions, please contact the clinic at 541-382-3344.

A nurse from the hospital or Cascade Surgicenter will call you the day before your surgery to confirm the time of your surgery. They will also ask you questions regarding current or past medical conditions, allergies, and medications you are taking. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions you may have and be sure to let the staff know of any special needs.

If you will be away from your phone the day before surgery, please contact St. Charles Bend 541-708-7728 or Cascade Surgicenter 541-322-2395 and give them an alternate number to contact you.

Food and drink

Please do not consume food or drink after midnight the night before your surgery, unless specified by your anesthesiologist. Further instructions will be given to you from the pre-op nurse.

Medications

If you take medication for any condition, ask your doctor and/or the facility’s nurse whether or not to take it the day of your procedure.

Day of surgery

• Regardless of what type of procedure you are having, please arrange to have someone drive you home from surgery.
• Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing.
• Do not wear nail polish, makeup, lotions or perfume.
• Wear your glasses (please bring a case); leave your contacts at home.
• Wear your dentures, partials and hearing aids.

Your surgeon will provide specific instructions for care while recovering at home. In the event of any difficulty, please call your surgeon at 541-382-3344.

Post-operative instructions

Call your surgeon immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms after your surgery:

• Temperature over 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Chills and/or night sweats
• Increased swelling not relieved with elevation
• Increased redness or streaks from incision
• Increased pain not responding to pain medication
• Drainage from incision site
• Nausea
• Cast or dressing problems
• Tenderness, swelling or pain in your calf

After hours and weekend calls will be directed to the on-call physician, who will get back to you to address your concerns.

Sports Medicine at the St. Charles Center

Since 1958 our orthopedic physicians have been caring for active individuals and athletes of all abilities throughout Central Oregon, and today the St. Charles Center is still the premiere location for sports injuries. Our board certified orthopedic surgeons have the highest level of training and experience, completing advanced fellowship training in Sports Medicine. They care for patients of all ages with diverse backgrounds to restore injuries such as torn ligaments, torn cartilage, joint instability, muscle weakness, sprains and fractures. 

To ensure they remain leaders both in our community and nationally, the physicians at the St. Charles Center for Orthopedics & Neurosurgery participate in a range of orthopedic clinical research projects. From evaluating the effectiveness of new designs for shoulder arthroplasty to state-of-the-art motion analysis in conjunction with the Oregon State University FORCE Lab, our team sets a strong standard of excellence. As former athletes and current fitness enthusiasts, they know what it’s like to train and compete. They use the latest noninvasive techniques and surgical technology combined with a team approach for the best possible care. Find out why athletes of all abilities turn to the St. Charles Center. Our orthopedic doctors are at the top of their game to get you back in the game.

Who we work with

The St. Charles Center is proud to serve as the official sports medicine provider and team physicians for the following:

Caring for kids from head to toe

Children and teenagers need specialized orthopedic and neurosurgical care for their growing bodies and brains. Our pediatric specialists are here to provide a wide range of specialized treatment options for families in Central Oregon, with exceptional care and compassion. If your child is in need of immediate care, our NOWcare walk-in injury clinic is open to provide orthopedic expertise and concussion care services.

An EMG is done to help diagnose diseases that damage muscle tissue, nerves, or the junctions between nerve and muscle.

EMG/Nerve Conduction Studies are done to help diagnose injuries or diseases that damage muscles, nerves, or the junctions between the nerve and muscle. This diagnostic test can help find the cause of pain, numbness/tingling, or weakness. EMG measures the electrical activity of muscles at rest and during contraction. Nerve conduction studies measure how well and how fast the nerves can send electrical signals.

To prepare for these tests, ask your referring physician for any special instructions. You should bathe before the test and DO NOT apply any body lotion. Take your regularly scheduled medications. Tell the doctor that is performing your test if you are taking a blood thinner (i.e. Coumadin), if you have a pacemaker, or if you have hemophilia.

There are very few risks or side effects from these tests. Each study is designed specifically for your symptoms so the length of the test can vary, but they are usually between 30-60 minutes. Watch this short video to learn more about what to expect.

Diverse by design, our team of highly trained orthopedic, neurosurgical, occupational medicine, and physiatry doctors offer a wide range of recovery solutions meant to meet the needs of our assorted patients – a community as expansive and varied as the Central Oregon landscape itself.

We treat our patients with compassion because we understand how important their passions are to them – be it working outside, getting out on the water, or a walk in the woods; we all know what it means to get back to what you love, to find your strength again.

It’s all of us thriving together that make our home in the High Desert special.

Recovery isn’t always easy, it can be challenging – both physically and mentally – and not just for our patients! Every injury brings something new, and we embrace each patients’ challenges as an opportunity to better ourselves, our practice, and our community.

Our team is ready to help you schedule an appointment. Call 541-382-3344 Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Chris McClellan 

Chris McClellan is a managing director at the management consulting firm Huron. He joined the board in 2025 and brings experience working deeply with many health care clients. He understands the challenges facing rural hospitals and believes in their critical importance to the communities they serve. 

McClellan received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and religious studies from the University of Oregon. 

Reason for service: “A community hospital saved my three-year old son’s life when he contracted COVID. This experience furthered my conviction that maintaining the presence of rural hospitals is non-negotiable as they are often the only feasible means of timely, life-saving care for their communities.”