Richard A. Kube II, MD, is the founder and owner of Prairie Spine & Pain Institute in Peoria, Ill., and Prairie Surgicare, a Peoria-based ambulatory surgery center that is accredited by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care. He serves as treasurer of the American Board of Spine Surgery. He is a member of the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery, Society of Lateral Access Surgeons, Society for Ambulatory Spine Surgery and Association for Medical Ethics.
Dr. Kube's hospital affiliations include Methodist Medical Center in Peoria and Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Ill. He is also involved in charity work in his community, such as fundraising for the Women's Care Center. He is also is an advisor for Twisted Sun Innovations, a Hydrogen energy company working on renewable energy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Dr. Kube focuses his practice on minimally invasive surgical techniques, and he has given more than 100 lectures throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Additionally, he serves as a consultant for Zyga Technology and Paradigm Spine.
"It has been very satisfying to enter the field of spine surgery during a time of such change and advancement of treatment options," says Dr. Kube. "We have seen the development and broad usage of disc replacements, dynamic stabilization devices, endoscopy, robotics and minimally invasive techniques in general. We have also seen the transition of spine surgical cases to an ambulatory setting. While many ask the question, 'why are the numbers of spine procedures increasing so dramatically?' I would submit the counter to that question, 'what were we doing for so many patients prior to the recent advances in our field?' Unfortunately, the answer to that question was often 'there is nothing more I can do,' or 'that the surgery you need is too dangerous or has too many complications.' These answers left many patients either in chronic pain or consuming opioids. We have so many options that were previously unavailable to patients. While there are obviously a majority of patients who do not require surgery, it is good to know we have an increasing number of options. I am certainly glad I have them available to offer my patients."
Dr. Kube earned his medical degree at Saint Louis University, where he also completed his orthopedic surgery residency. He has completed a spine fellowship at Spine Surgery PSC in Louisville, Ky., under Richard Holt, MD.
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