Comprehensive care at The John L. Trotter MS Center
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that attacks the central nervous system (brain, optic nerves and spinal cord). Thus it can cause a wide variety of symptoms which vary from patient to patient, including problems with strength, walking, vision, bladder and bowel control, pain, balance, depression, memory, thinking speed and seizures. There are now 13 FDA-approved medications that can alter the course of MS for the better, several of which require close monitoring for safety. A multitude of other medications and therapies exist to help with symptoms of MS. The best care for MS patients demands a specialized team approach. Members of our team are highly trained specialists in MS and related diseases. Collectively, we have over 100 years of experience treating MS patients! We also work closely with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The John L. Trotter MS Center at Washington University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital was established by Dr. Trotter (one of the first dedicated MS specialists in the U.S., 1943-2001) and is unique in the St. Louis area in that we perform research at the basic level ranging from cell culture studies to clinical trials. We are unique in that we perform clinical trials devised by our own investigators (“investigator initiated”), as well as funded by pharmaceutical companies. Our research is funded by outside peer-reviewed agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the National MS Society and the U.S. Department of Defense. Researchers and neurologists from the Trotter MS Center are asked to speak around the world at meetings related to MS. We are on the “cutting-edge” of MS care and research.
Outpatient facilities
Our outpatient services are provided at the McMillan Building (lower level) at 517 S. Euclid Ave, St. Louis MO, 63110.
On the unusual occasion when our patients require inpatient admission, patients are hospitalized at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at Washington University. This renowned neurology facility provides comprehensive services, including a state-of-the-art neurological intensive care unit. Barnes-Jewish Hospital has been continually rated among the top ten in the nation for many years.
The John L. Trotter MS Center recognizes its responsibility to provide for the medically underinsured — a long standing tradition at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University. We supervise the clinics run by Neurology Residents in which underinsured patients are seen along with a faculty neurologist. We take pride that all MS patients receive the same high level of care.