Posts Tagged Texas Medical Center (TMC)
Post-operative Care Questions for Lower Back Surgery Patients review by KBNI Houston, Woodlands, Kingwood, Katy, Pearland, Beaumont, Tomball, Baytown, Galveston, Sugarland
Posted by admin in artificial disc, back pain, back surgery, baytown, beaumont, chiropractic, core strengthening exercise, disc degeneration, exercise, houston, infection, katy, lifting techniques, low back pain, lower back surgery, lumbar fusion, pain, Pearland, post-operative care, preventive lifestyle, recover, spinal discs, spinal fusion, spinal nerves, sugarland, Tomball, woodlands on May 19, 2015
Post-operative Care Questions for Lower Back Surgery Patients
post-operative care, low back pain, lower back surgery, physical therapy, surgical site infection, Houston
Lower back surgery can be an incredibly trying endeavor for patients and physicians alike. Typically, lower back surgery is used as a last resort for patients whose back pain has not responded to more conservative treatments (i.e. rest, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.). Though major back surgery is generally quite expensive and requires a long period of post-operative care, there are several steps patients can take to minimize recovery time and pain levels while maximizing their chances at retaining full mobility.
First, take your doctor’s recommendations very seriously. If he or she advises you on lifestyle changes to compensate for your decreased mobility during post-operative care, you must be willing to implement these changes. Many kinds of back surgery involve the implantation of screws and / or plates for a spinal fusion to stabilize different parts of the spinal column. Other surgeries implant entire artificial spinal discs (the shock-absorbing pads between our vertebrae) to correct the problems that natural spinal disc degeneration can cause (severe pain, destabilization, compressed spinal nerves).
post-operative care, low back pain, lower back surgery, physical therapy, surgical site infection, Houston
Often deep incisions have to be made to implant these devices and consequently the muscles along the spinal column are lacerated. The spine takes time to heal and grow new tissue around these wounds. Patients may experience severe back pain and decreased spine mobility but are advised not to pursue strenuous activity without first consulting their physicians. Your doctor will be able to give you a much clearer idea of which activities pose a higher risk for your specific back surgery. Sticking to a strict activity regimen will help you reduce your risk of needing subsequent corrective surgeries.
After the surgery, physical therapy / chiropractic during post-operative care will help patients retain mobility, as well as building core strength and stretching for flexibility that will aid in preventing future injuries. Another problem you may wish to ask your doctor about is surgical site spine infection infection (SSI). Due to back surgery exposing the body to open air, pathogens may enter the incision site and cause infection at some point during post-operative care. It’s extremely important to get a family member or friend to monitor your wound during dressing changes. Look for oozing pus, red edges around the wound, and foul odors. It’s also possible that surgical site infection may occur as a result of contaminated medical devices. This infection is extremely dangerous, as the wound itself may not exhibit signs of infection. Monitor any changes in back pain, as well as any fever, numbness, or muscle weakness. If any of these symptoms occur, seek immediate medical attention.
post-operative care, low back pain, lower back surgery, physical therapy, surgical site infection, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Tomball
Physician experts at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston, TX, have significant experience and expertise in working with patients who are recovering from minor or major spine surgery. They understand that the beginning of the healing process starts in the OR, but the remainder continues well after the surgery is finished.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX takes care of patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Tomball and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin
If you have SUFFERED AN INJURY, you can contact the Kraus Back and Neck Institute at
……. 281-713-6296
……. Or visit www.SpineHealth.com to schedule an appointment online
……. KBNI VIDEO
post-operative care, low back pain, lower back surgery, physical therapy, surgical site infection, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Tomball
Keywords: post-operative care, low back pain, lower back surgery, physical therapy, surgical site infection, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Tomball
Dehydration and the Spine review by KBNI Houston, Katy, Woodlands, Sugarland, Kingwood, Spring, Conroe, Beaumont, Baytown, Pearland
Posted by admin in back injury prevention, back pain, baytown, beaumont, chiropractic, chiropractor, chiropractor near me, dehydration, diet, facet joint, healthy diet, houston, katy, lifting techniques, nutrition, nutritional supplements, obesity, personal injury, physical therapy, spinal injury, spine health, woodlands on April 14, 2015
Dehydration and the Spine
dehydration, spinal column, spinal disks, back pain, obesity, nutrition, dieting, back injury prevention, physical therapy, Houston
Our spinal column wears naturally over time, gradually degenerating according to age and lifestyle. This means that muscles along the spinal column slowly lose elasticity and mass, while spinal discs (the shock-absorbing pads between our vertebrae) lose pliability and height while becoming harder and less capable of bearing shock. The ends of our facet joints (the joints that link the vertebrae and allow for the articulation of the spinal column) are encased in cartilage which also naturally wears over time. Wear and tear on all of the spinal column’s components is exacerbated by lifestyle choices: obesity (excess weight) , repeated heavy lifting and twisting, overextension, and long periods of sedentary activity.
dehydration, spinal column, spinal disks, back pain, obesity, nutrition, dieting, back injury prevention, physical therapy, Houston
Dehydration also has negative consequences for the spinal column, but many people do not realize its’ risks. A patient in a dehydrated or near-dehydrated state exacerbates the wear on all of his or her joints, including the facet joints in the spinal column. This puts nearby spinal nerves at risk, as dehydrated spinal discs are thinner and vertebrae are physically closer together than they would be otherwise. Incidence of compressed spinal nerves (and corresponding sharp back pain and extremity pain) is higher when dehydrated spinal discs and facet joints are unable to keep nearby vertebrae from impinging on spinal nerves.
A preventive lifestyle can go a long way toward preventing dehydration-related back pain. Proper weight management, regular cardiovascular exercise, healthy dieting (nutrition) , hydration and adequate rest are all pillars of the preventive lifestyle physicians recommend for combating a wide variety of illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. If you live an active lifestyle or engage in physically strenuous activity for work or during recreation, consider supplementing your water with electrolytes.
dehydration, spinal column, spinal disks, back pain, obesity, nutrition, dieting, back injury prevention, physical therapy, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC)
While proper hydration may help mediate your back pain, it will not likely be cured by hydration alone. You should explore other long-term strategies, such as physical therapy, chiropractic, to mediate pain levels. Physical therapy for the spine performed by a physical therapist, or chiropractic performed by a chiropractor, develops muscles along the spinal column and throughout the torso. These muscles assist degenerated spinal discs and facet joints in managing the body’s weight distribution and can relieve pressure from the body’s joints. Physical therapy also represents a long-term solution for back pain, as it mediates pain levels and helps patients retain their mobility as they age. Before implementing a regimen, however, patients are advised to check with their physicians to verify that the stability of their spinal column is up to the challenge. Doctors will most likely need several checkups (including imaging tests) to determine a course of treatment that’s right for you.
dehydration, spinal column, spinal disks, back pain, obesity, nutrition, dieting, back injury prevention, physical therapy, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC)
Experts in spine at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) are extremely experienced at treating a large variety of disorders of the spine, which may cause pain in the neck, low back, or the arms or legs. While non-surgical measures are implemented most of the time, surgery on the spine (including the most advanced minimally invasive spine surgery techniques) are available when needed.
Patients suffering from neck pain or lower back pain, or who have been told they may require a spine surgery, can contact the Kraus Back and Neck Institute at
……. 281-713-6296
……. Or visit www.SpineHealth.com to SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE
KBNI cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.
Keywords: dehydration, spinal column, spinal disks, back pain, obesity, nutrition, dieting, back injury prevention, physical therapy, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC)
Spine-related Ambulatory Surgery, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Less Invasive Spine Surgery review by KBNI Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Port Arthur, Galveston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
Posted by admin in ACA, Affordable Care Act, ALIF TLIF PLIF DLIF XLIF AXIALIF, ambulatory surgery center, ASC, baytown, beaumont, herniated disc surgery, houston, infection, katy, less invasive spine surgery, lumbar fusion, minimally invasive surgery, neurosurgeon, neurosurgery, PPACA, spinal fusion, spine surgeon, spine surgery, sugarland, woodlands on March 30, 2015
Spine-related Ambulatory Surgery, Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Less Invasive Spine Surgery
ambulatory care, back surgery, minimally invasive surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, ACA, ASC, ambulatory surgery centers
Historically, back surgery had a reputation for damaging muscles along the spinal column and requiring a long post-operative period of physical therapy to restore mobility. This is because traditional back surgery involves long, deep incisions that lacerate muscle and retract upon muscle so that the incision may be pulled open, giving the surgeon a full view of the incision site as well as the damage to be repaired in the spinal column. While this method is effective, it also poses a few serious risks to the patient’s health: the aforementioned lengthy recovery time (and compromised mobility during physical therapy) as well as the increased risk for surgical site infection (SSI) from keeping the patient’s internal workings exposed to open air (and thus possible contamination). There can also be additional spine pain during the recovery process of large open spine procedures.
ambulatory care, back surgery, minimally invasive surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, ACA, ASC, ambulatory surgery centers
Fortunately, recent advancements in both hospital technology and neurosurgery / spine surgery skills has made it easier for spine surgeons to perform spine surgery with less interruption of normal tissues surrounding the spine. Many spine procedures now use a device called a tubular retractor, which is a small metal tube that is inserted through a small incision near the patient’s spine. The tubular retractor grants the surgeon access to the damaged spinal column or herniated disc within the spinal canal. Any material threatening the patient, such as a fragmented spinal disc or piece of vertebral bone tissue, is extracted through the tubular retractor, while any equipment necessary for the back surgery (such as plates or screws to stabilize a damaged spinal column) is inserted through the retractor. Some procedures may require surgeons to use multiple retractors, but the small incisions damage the muscles along the spinal column far less than traditional deep incisions. This minimizes recovery time, reduces the risk of surgical site infection, and helps patients preserve their mobility during recovery.
ambulatory care, back surgery, minimally invasive surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, ACA, ASC, ambulatory surgery centers, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC)
Minimally-invasive surgery procedures on the spine also occasionally transform the classification of certain kinds of surgery. Whereas traditional back surgery requires a hospital visit, minimally-invasive techniques allow many kinds of surgery to be possible in an ambulatory care setting. In other words, instead of a hospital visit compounding the expense of certain kinds of surgery, patients (and insurance companies) are finding the benefit of performing spine surgery procedures in an outpatient setting. The Affordable Care Act (ACA, PPACA) of 2010 (also known as the ACA or Obamacare or PPACA) became famous for the mandate that required all US small business owners with 50 or more full-time employees to purchase health insurance coverage benefits for their full-time staff. As of 2015, the long-term effects of the Affordable Care Act (PPACA) remain to be seen. Sweeping re-classification of major surgical procedures has yet to emerge under the ACA / PPACA, as there are still very real practical concerns: how to prevent surgical site infection effectively, for example. New methods of pay for performance and bundled care payments may also change the way healthcare is evaluated and reimbursed, and will encourage decreased hospital stays and improved outcomes. New minimally invasive spine surgery techniques are emerging, however, so additional ambulatory care surgery may be increasingly employed in the future. Ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) are ideal for spine surgery procedures in which patients are expected to return home the same day, or within 23 hours of the surgery. There are also many conveniences to a patient, when having a surgery performed in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC). The ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) are very well prepared to quickly and efficiently move patients through the preop evaluation process. The patient stays briefly in the preop holding area while the nurse evaluates the patient, the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist speaks with the patient, and the neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon identifies the patient (to prevent any wrong patient surgery from occurring). The patient is then taken back to the operating room, and put to sleep, and the neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon performs the procedure. The patient is then taken to the post op recovery room, and usually held there until the patient is awake enough, and the pain is well controlled enough, to allow discharge of the patient home.
ambulatory care, back surgery, minimally invasive surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, ACA, ASC, ambulatory surgery centers, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC)
Minimally invasive spine surgery employs less invasive spine surgery techniques to approach the spine. These minimally invasive surgery on the spine techniques can be used to perform lumbar discectomy for removal of a herniated disc, as well as for a lumbar fusion ( ALIF, TLIF, PLIF, DLIF, XLIF).
ambulatory care, back surgery, minimally invasive surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, ACA, ASC, ambulatory surgery centers, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC)
Physicians at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute have significant experience treating patients with diseases of the spine in an ambulatory outpatient setting. They are well versed in the full spectrum of treatments, and know when to advise conservative measures, and when to recommend surgical intervention upon the spine.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.
Patients suffering from neck pain or lower back pain, or who have been told they may require a spine surgery, can contact the Kraus Back and Neck Institute at
……. 281-713-6296
……. Or visit www.SpineHealth.com to SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE
……. KBNI VIDEO on Back and Neck Pain Treatment : Don’t Live in Fear and Pain
Keywords: ambulatory care, back surgery, minimally invasive surgery, minimally invasive spine surgery, ACA, Affordable Care Act, PPACA, ASC, ambulatory surgery centers, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
Recovering from Spinal Stenosis, Lumbar Stenosis, Cervical Stenosis review by KBNI serving Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland
Posted by admin in baytown, beaumont, cervical laminectomy, cervical stenosis, houston, laminectomy, lumbar laminectomy, lumbar stenosis, mri, neurosurgeon, neurosurgery, spinal stenosis, spine surgeon, spine surgery, sugarland, woodlands on March 29, 2015
Recovering from Spinal Stenosis, Lumbar Stenosis, Cervical Stenosis
spinal stenosis, cervical stenosis, cervical laminectomy, lumbar stenosis, lumbar laminectomy, back pain, spinal canal, spinal nerves, Houston
Spinal stenosis results from the reduction (narrowing) of the open spaces within the spinal column. Due to the fact that spinal nerves run most of the length of the spine through our spinal canal, a narrowing at any point can increase the pressure on spinal nerves during everyday movement. As one might expect, this narrowing may produce extreme back pain via compression of the spinal nerves. Other symptoms of spinal stenosis include numbness in the legs or arms, weakness in the legs or arms, and problems with bladder or bowel function.
spinal stenosis, cervical stenosis, cervical laminectomy, lumbar stenosis, lumbar laminectomy, back pain, spinal canal, spinal nerves, Houston
Generally, age-related degeneration is responsible for the onset of spinal stenosis in most patients. As we age, repeated movement of the articulated facet joints of the spinal column breaks down the cartilage on the ends of our facet joints (the joints that link our vertebrae together). Our spinal discs (the shock-absorbing pads between our vertebrae) also become thinner, harder, and less capable of bearing the shocks of everyday movement. This natural degeneration reduces the spaces between the vertebrae, increasing the likelihood of compressed spinal nerves. In some patients, the reduction in open space may be severe enough to threaten the integrity of the spinal cord. Younger people may also develop spinal stenosis, but most of these patients’ spinal columns have been compromised by a disease that affects muscle and bone tissue.
spinal stenosis, cervical stenosis, cervical laminectomy, lumbar stenosis, lumbar laminectomy, back pain, spinal canal, spinal nerves, Houston
Treatment and recovery options for spinal stenosis patients vary depending on the severity of the narrowing as well as its location. In most cases, the narrowing occurs either in the neck or the lower back. Imaging tests (x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging MRI) will likely be used to pinpoint the spinal nerves that are at risk, as well as to ascertain that the patient’s back pain and other symptoms are the result of an actual narrowing of the spinal canal, as opposed to other natural aging processes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is particularly useful here due to the fact that it allows physicians to view soft tissue (like spinal nerves) in great detail. Computerized tomography (CT) myelograms may also be used, as these procedures combine multiple x-rays into one complete view of the size and shape of the spinal canal.
spinal stenosis, cervical stenosis, cervical laminectomy, lumbar stenosis, lumbar laminectomy, back pain, spinal canal, spinal nerves, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
For treatment, physicians will likely recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to mediate back pain. Corticosteroid injections may also be used to prevent inflammation around compromised spinal disks or compressed spinal nerves. Houston spine pain treatments for more severe spinal stenosis will likely require surgery to increase space within the spinal canal and relieve pressure on the spinal cord or spinal nerves. Back surgery neurosurgery is typically only recommended, however, if conservative treatments like pain medication and physical therapy have failed to adequately address the problem.
When spinal stenosis is present in the lumbar spine (lumbar stenosis), patients may experience pain in the lower extremities, which is worse when standing, and improved when sitting. In rare cases, there may be a loss of bowel or bladder control. When the stenosis is rapid in onset, as may be caused by a severe traumatic disc herniation, or by a fracture, then loss of bowel or bladder control may be more common. When the spinal stenosis is more gradual in onset, as is the case with degenerative changes, then loss of bowel or bladder control is much less common.
spinal stenosis, cervical stenosis, cervical laminectomy, lumbar stenosis, lumbar laminectomy, back pain, spinal canal, spinal nerves, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
When spinal stenosis is present in the cervical spine (cervical stenosis), the spinal cord may be compressed. This may not only lead to pain, but it may lead to paralysis, due to compression of the spinal cord. Pressure on the spinal cord may also create a condition known as myelopathy, in which there is a partial injury to the spinal cord, leading to progressive loss of control of the lower extremities, and possibly a loss of control of bowel and bladder function. The patient may also experience shocks traveling from the neck down the spine, which is known as a L’Hermitte sign. When myelopathy is present, due to cervical spinal stenosis and spinal cord compression in the cervical spine, the MRI scan of the cervical spinal cord will frequently show a high intensity signal, or a bright spot, in the cervical spinal cord. This represents a spinal injury, and may be incomplete, in which case the patient will have function of the lower extremities, or may be a complete spinal cord injury, in where the is no movement below the injury in the spinal cord.
Depending upon the nature of the stenosis, surgery may be performed to relieve the spinal stenosis. When surgery is undertaken to relieve lumbar stenosis, the procedure typically performed is known as a lumbar laminectomy, in which the lamina, or back of the lumbar spine, is removed. This generally has a good chance of success, at decompressing nerves in the lumbar spine often helps their improvement. When surgery is undertaken to relieve cervical spinal stenosis, a cervical laminectomy may be performed from a posterior approach, or an anterior fusion may be needed as well. Unlike lumbar laminectomy which generally had a good result, with improved lower extremity function, laminectomy to decompress the cervical spinal cord is generally not as successful. Removing the mechanical pressure placed on the cervical spinal cord generally helps to reduce the risk of further neurological deterioration, but it is difficult to predict whether there will be any improvement in neurological function. Patients may also experience brisk reflexes in the lower extremities, and may have, upon examination, a positive Babinski sign (flaring of the toes upon rubbing of the soles of the feet). It is important for the patient to know when to seek medical consultation, in order to prevent worsening neurological deterioration. A neurosurgeon or spine surgeon may need to perform neurosurgery in order to try to preserve function. A neurosurgeon is a surgeon who performs neurosurgery upon the brain and spine. A neurosurgeon typically has significant training in spine surgery. A spine surgeon may have had the neurosurgery training of a neurosurgeon, or they may be an orthopedic surgeon who has had fellowship training in spine surgery.
Physicians at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute have significant experience treating cervical spinal stenosis and lumbar spinal stenosis. They are well versed in the full spectrum of treatments, and know when to advise conservative measures, and when to recommend surgical intervention upon the spine.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.
Patients suffering from neck pain or lower back pain, or who have been told they may require a spine surgery, can contact the Kraus Back and Neck Institute at
……. 281-713-6296
……. Or visit www.SpineHealth.com to SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE
……. KBNI VIDEO on Back and Neck Pain Treatment : Don’t Live in Fear and Pain
Keywords: spinal stenosis, cervical stenosis, cervical laminectomy, lumbar stenosis, lumbar laminectomy, back pain, spinal canal, spinal nerves, Houston, Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
Common Spinal Deformities, Spina Bifida review KBNI Houston, Woodlands, Sugarland, Katy, Memorial City, TMC
Posted by admin in back pain, back surgery, beaumont, houston, katy, low back pain, lumbar fusion, lumbar stenosis, spina bifida, spine health, sugarland, Uncategorized, woodlands on March 24, 2015
Common Spinal Deformities and Spina Bifida
chronic back pain, back surgery, spinal deformities, spina bifida, spinal nerves, Houston
Most chronic back pain is the result of lifestyle. Too much sedentary activity (e.g. sitting at a computer monitor for an extended period of time) causes elevated tension in muscles along the spinal column, gradually starving them of oxygen and increasing the chances of painful muscle spasms. At the other end of the spectrum, too much physical activity or improper lifting techniques can accelerate the natural degeneration of the spinal discs (shock-absorbing pads between the vertebrae) and other vital components of the spinal column, leading to increased pain levels.
chronic back pain, back surgery, spinal deformities, spina bifida, spinal nerves, Houston
In some cases, however, lifestyle is not the root cause of chronic back pain. There are many structural spinal deformities, often congenital, that do not respond well to conservative treatments like physical therapy or anti-inflammatory pain medication. Whereas pain levels from a compromised spinal disc may be reduced by a physical therapy regimen designed to relieve pressure by developing muscles along the spinal column, spinal deformities often drastically compromise the integrity of the spinal column’s structure.
Spina bifida involves an opening in the lamina, which are not fused, and may involve a protrusion of the spinal nerves outside of the spinal canal where they are normally housed. Depending on the location of the protrusion, spina bifida may place patients at a much higher risk for traumatic injuries to the spinal nerves. As these nerves provide sensation to other parts of the body, damage to them can result in a loss of sensation, severe chronic back pain, or even paralysis. Spina bifida is caused by a congenital developmental disorder, in which the embryonic neural tube does not completely close. Spina bifida most commonly occurs in the lumbar and sacral areas. Spina bifida generally falls into one of three types: 1) spina bifida occulta 2) spina bifida with meningocele, and 3) spina bifida with myelomeningocele. Spina bifida occulta is generally asymptomatic, and most people don’t even know they have it. The most symptomatic type of spina bifida is that associated with a myelomeningocele, in which the spinal cord protrudes through the opening in the spine. The spina bifida meningicele and myelomeningocele occur in 1 out of every 1000 births.
spinal deformities, spina bifida, spinal nerves, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston
Other spinal deformities include scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine that develops to varying degrees in patients. Most of the time its cause is unknown, but scoliosis may be triggered by muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. Some patients may be able to navigate their daily routines without corrective back surgery, but many patients require it in order to restore some manner of normalcy to their motion. Severe curvature of the spine can be incredibly disabling, reducing mobility and causing extreme chronic back pain. With modern corrective back surgery, however, chances at a relatively normal life are good for most patients.
Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal can be dangerous if it occurs in the cervical spine (cervical stenosis) , and troubling with pain and weakness when it occurs in the lumbar spine (lumbar stenosis) , because it places vital spinal nerves at a higher risk for injury, especially compression, which often in turn causes chronic back pain and symptoms of pain, numbness and weakness to the lower extremities. Prolonged nerve compression can damage the spinal nerves, impeding long-term sensation and mobility. Corrective back surgery is sometimes needed to relieve pressure on the spinal canal and expand the space at its narrowest point to reduce the chances of injury.
spinal deformities, spina bifida, spinal nerves, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston
Physician experts at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston, TX, have significant experience in diagnosing and treating spinal disorders. The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.
Keywords: chronic back pain, back surgery, spinal deformities, spina bifida, spinal nerves, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
Multiple Sclerosis and Neurological Conditions that Affect the Spine review by KBNI Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Woodlands, Kingwood, TMC Texas Medical Center
Posted by admin in baytown, beaumont, houston, katy, multiple sclerosis, sugarland, Uncategorized, woodlands on October 27, 2014
multiple sclerosis neurological disorder , houston, texas
Multiple Sclerosis and Neurological Conditions that Affect the Spine review by KBNI Houston
There are several serious neurological disorders that adversely affect the human spine. Perhaps the best-known of these is multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease in which the patient’s immune system is compromised and breaks down the myelin sheath that protects our nerves. This breakdown diminishes the brain’s ability to communicate with other areas of your body, including your spinal cord. Due to the fact that myelin sheaths are essential for normal nerve operation, multiple sclerosis can result in the actual destruction of the nerves themselves. At present, the disease has no cure.
multiple sclerosis neurological disorder , houston, texas
While certainly a serious neurological disorder, symptoms may vary widely from patient to patient depending on the severity to which the nerves are compromised. A confirmed multiple sclerosis diagnosis is often extremely difficult, given that these symptoms may disappear for months at a time, leaving doctors puzzled. Symptoms include slurred speech, fatigue, numbness or weakness in limbs, double vision, an unsteady gait, and partial or complete loss of vision. MS patients are also sometimes heat-sensitive, with differences in temperature triggering certain symptoms. Most patients experience partial or complete remission of symptoms in between episodes of the disease.
Doctors do not yet understand the cause of multiple sclerosis, or why the disease affects some patients more severely than others. What is known is that myelin sheaths (the fatty substance that acts as insulation for the nerves) help facilitate effective communication between the brain and the rest of the body. As these myelin sheaths are consumed, the body in effect “short-circuits,” with a number of negative consequences.
While multiple sclerosis can’t presently be cured, symptoms can be alleviated and managed to some degree, depending on their severity. Treatment focuses on reducing the disease’s progress while simultaneously helping patients deal with symptoms in their daily lives. Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation that occurs during symptom episodes. This inflammation may compress spinal nerves, causing excruciating pain and decreasing mobility. A plasma exchange, a procedure that mechanically separates a portion of your blood cells from your blood plasma, may be performed if multiple sclerosis patients are not responding to other intravenous treatments.
There are also a wide variety of pharmaceutical drugs to treat multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders. Many of these drugs perform very specific functions (e.g. Fingolimod trapping immune cells in the body’s lymph nodes to reduce the frequency of MS attacks) and as such will need to be evaluated and approved on a case-by-case basis according to the patient’s needs and the doctor’s evaluation of MS’s progress. While the spinal nerves and other major nerve groups will likely not be spared manifestations of symptoms, these pharmaceutical drugs can give multiple sclerosis patients a higher quality of life and a better chance at more long-term mobility.
multiple sclerosis neurological disorder , houston, texas
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.
Patients suffering from neck pain or lower back pain, or who have been told they may require a spine surgery, can contact the Kraus Back and Neck Institute at
……. 281-713-6296
……. Or visit www.SpineHealth.com to SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE
……. KBNI VIDEO on Back and Neck Pain Treatment : Don’t Live in Fear and Pain
Mobility during Recovery from Back Surgery review by KBNI Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Woodlands, Spring, Kingwood, Memorial City
Posted by admin in back injury, back pain, back surgery, baytown, beaumont, chiropractic, chiropractor, chiropractor near me, exercise, fusion, houston, katy, lumbar fusion, neck pain, physical therapy, post-operative care, recover, sciatica exercises, spinal fusion, spinal injury rehabilitation, spine mobility, spine surgery, sugarland, woodlands on September 27, 2014
MOBILITY DURING RECOVERY FROM BACK SURGERY
back surgery, back pain, physical therapy, pain levels, Houston
Normally, back surgery is treated as a last resort if more conservative treatments (i.e., physical therapy, chiropractic treatment, anti-inflammatory drugs, facet joint injections, etc.) have failed to adequately reduce pain levels and restore mobility. Physicians and patients alike should approach back surgery as a calculated risk, one taken to maximize long-term health and mobility while giving the patient the best chance at consistently low-to-moderate pain levels during recovery. Post-operative care is a different matter entirely, however, as many patients aren’t prepared for the loss in mobility that comes after major back surgery. Large incisions, which in many back procedures are necessary to give the surgeon vision of the damaged portion of the spine, also can severely damage muscles and other soft tissue along the spinal column. This trauma greatly reduces patient mobility during post-operative care, as the muscles have essentially been rendered unable to do their jobs.
back surgery, back pain, physical therapy, pain levels, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
For patients, compromised mobility can present maddening challenges during post-operative care, not to mention complications. For example, surgical site infection (SSI) occurs from contamination of the surgical site, either during the operation itself or at some point during recovery. SSI is particularly dangerous if the contamination is internal, such as a contaminated plate or screw that has been implanted to stabilize the spinal column (lumbar fusion) . Patients will most likely be unable to adequately check their own incision sites for signs of infection, so family members and friends may be needed for not only this task, but to change the patient’s dressing as well.
Physical therapy / chiropractic therapy during post-operative care for back surgery is generally focused on preserving long-term mobility. If the muscles along the spinal column that were damaged by the surgeon’s incisions are not adequately worked during recovery, patients may soon find themselves incapable of bending and twisting beyond the physician’s weight-related restrictions. In other words, avoiding physical therapy can potentially result in a permanent reduction in range of motion. On the other hand, too much activity can de-stabilize implanted devices and re-tear healing muscles, prolonging the healing process and increasing the likelihood for additional corrective surgeries.
back surgery, back pain, physical therapy, pain levels, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
Physicians will likely recommend several checkup visits during post-operative care in order to accurately gauge your progress and make necessary adjustments to your physical therapy regimen. Some back pain is normal and expected, but if your pain changes suddenly or begins to radiate through your ribs, legs, or arms, seek medical attention. Radiating back pain and muscle weakness often signals spinal nerve compression, which over the long-term may cause nerve damage and permanent loss of sensation. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help mediate pain levels, though during the initial healing process, physicians may authorize stronger prescription pain medication.
Physician experts at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX have significant experience at taking care of patients with back problems, back injuries and other sources of back and neck pain. They frequently see patients who are suffering from the symptom of neck pain, low back pain, and mid back pain, and have never received imaging studies of the spine. Physicians at the KBNI will order the appropriate spinal imaging studies of the cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine as needed, and review the results with the patient.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX takes care of patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.
Keywords: back surgery, back pain, physical therapy, pain levels, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
Cervical Disc Replacement, Houston, Katy, Sugarland, Memorial City, Texas
Posted by admin in artificial disc, baytown, beaumont, cervical disc replacement, cervical fusion, cervical laminectomy, cervical spine, cervical stenosis, disc degeneration, fusion, herniated disc, herniated disc surgery, houston, katy, neck pain, pain, sugarland, woodlands on September 27, 2014
CERVICAL DISC REPLACEMENT
cervical disc, spinal disc, pain levels, neck pain, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble
The spinal discs (shock-absorbing pads between our vertebrae) help us manage the shocks and stresses of daily movement. Our spines are heavily involved in most kinds of motion (sitting, standing, bending, lifting, twisting, etc.). As such, the facet joints that link our vertebrae as well as the spinal discs between them need to be extremely durable and operate with low back and neck pain levels during normal motion. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Spinal structural deformities, trauma, heavy lifting, and inactivity can all play their part in compromising parts of the spinal column. The natural aging process compounds these factors due to the fact that spinal discs naturally degenerate over time. Spinal and cervical discs become thinner, harder, and less pliable as we age, and as a result they are far less capable of managing the stresses of daily life. We are also more likely to experience back and neck pain as a result of these changes.
All of these problems may create problems in the cervical discs in our necks. Since the neck is routinely engaged in movement, compromised cervical discs can severely affect mobility by causing pain during routine motion. Fortunately, there are a variety of strategies patients can use to mediate pain levels. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help mediate pain levels while restoring enough mobility for patients to explore other treatment options. Physical therapy focuses on developing muscles along the spinal column and surrounding the neck to offer support to cervical discs and relieve some of the weight they would otherwise have to bear during routine movement.
For more serious cases, such as severe structural deformity, trauma, or extreme neck pain not resolved by more conservative treatments, cervical disc replacement or cervical fusion may be the best option, depending upon the specific findings, recommendations of the surgeon, and desires of the patient. Since this surgery may be both serious and financially costly, physicians typically do not recommend it unless the compromised cervical disc is threatening other functions in the body (causing a loss of sensation, impinging on nearby spinal nerves, causing muscle weakness, etc.). Bone spurs and compromised cervical discs are the most common causes and physicians operate primarily to maintain the patient’s long-term health, as opposed to simply seeking to reduce pain levels. Of course, indications for surgery may vary from patient to patient.
Recovery for cervical disc replacement, like many types of spinal surgery, can be brief to more prolonged . Rest, a healthy diet, and regimens of physical therapy are necessary to re-develop damaged muscles and relieve some of the pressure on cervical discs. Your physician will likely order several checkups to maintain a sense of your progress and to readjust your course of treatment as needed.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.
Keywords: cervical disc, spinal disc, pain levels, neck pain, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
Infections, Pain and Back Surgery review by KBNI Houston, Katy, Woodlands, Sugarland, Galleria, Pearland, Kingwood, Spring, Memorial City, TMC
Posted by admin in back pain, back surgery, baytown, beaumont, fusion, houston, infection, katy, low back pain, lumbar, lumbar fusion, lumbar laminectomy, pain, smoking, spinal fusion, spine surgery, sugarland, woodlands on September 24, 2014
Infections, Pain and Back Surgery Review
infections, back surgery, pain, Houston
Physicians often advise back surgery as a last resort when more conservative treatment methods (anti-inflammatory drugs, rest, physical therapy) have failed to adequately reduce pain levels. Back surgery for pain is not only costly, but also occasionally necessitates a long period of post-operative care during which patients must work to re-develop muscles damaged by the back surgery incisions. Patients often head into surgery aware of the recovery period, but they also need to prepare for the low but distinct possibility of surgical site infection during post-operative care. Fortunately, infections from back surgery are an infrequent occurrence, but they must still be considered, watched, and prevented.
The extensiveness of some back surgeries may require deep or long incisions to provide the surgeon with adequate vision and access to damaged spinal discs or nerves. Major back surgery also goes hand-in-hand with a significant number of implanted devices, such as metal screws or plates ( back surgery fusion or spinal fusion )to stabilize a compromised spinal column. Though these materials are required to be sterile prior to surgery, they can still potentially become contaminated in various ways. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which are bacterial populations that have developed resistances to several conventional (and even some last-resort) antibiotics ( bacteria such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), represent an increasingly dire problem for hospitals worldwide. In cases of major back surgery, the risk of contamination is increased due to the physical procedure itself: internal parts of the body remain exposed to the surrounding air for several hours. Any bacteria that have survived on the operating staff or on the implantation devices are capable of causing problems for the patient during post-operative care.
infections, back surgery, pain, Houston
Patients who want to minimize their recovery time and pain, as well as reduce the possibility of secondary back surgery will regularly monitor their incision sites for signs of back surgery infection. Back surgery patients occasionally do not have much mobility during post-operative care (especially if the surgery was extensive, like a spinal fusion or artificial spinal disc implant), so patients will need to communicate their needs and pain issues to family and friends. Have them check for redness, swelling, pus, and foul odors around the incision site. Patients must pay attention to their pain levels and note any sudden or drastic changes.
infections, back surgery, pain, Houston
Risk factors of the patient which increase the risk of infection during back surgery include smoking, diabetes, malnutrition, obesity, and poor personal hygiene. Hand washing is important before handling a wound. In a hospital, all visitors, nurses and physicians should wash their hands before entering a patient’s room, as preventative care. Patients who have any open sores or cuts on their body should alert the doctors and nurses before the back surgery, as the surgeon may potentially choose to cancel the operation until the open lesions heal. If a patients suffers an infection post operatively, all visitors, nurses and physicians should wear protective attire upon entering the room.
infections, back surgery, pain, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
It’s also possible that a patient’s infection may be entirely internal, without many symptoms around their incision site. They should monitor pain levels, and check in with their physician if they experience nausea, vomiting, chills, or fever. Depending on the location and severity of the infection, physicians will likely prescribe a course of treatment involving one or more courses of different antibiotics. In some cases, both surgical site infections and internal infections have the potential to reduce healing during post-operative care. Secondary surgeries may be necessary to correct the problems the infections create, and help relieve the pain they create.
The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.
infections, back surgery, pain, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
Keywords: infections, back surgery, pain, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
Spinal Facet Joint Pain presented by KBNI Houston, Katy, Woodlands, Sugarland, Galleria, Pearland, Kingwood, Spring, Memorial City, TMC
Posted by admin in arthritis, back pain, baytown, beaumont, chiropractic, chiropractor, core strengthening exercise, disc degeneration, exercise, facet joint, fusion, houston, low back pain, lumbar, lumbar fusion, neck pain, pain, physical therapy, rhizotomy, spinal fusion, sugarland, woodlands on September 23, 2014
SPINAL FACET JOINT PAIN
spinal facet joint pain
A facet joint is a link between our vertebrae within our spinal column, and can be the cause of pain within the spine. Regarding spinal anatomy, their ends are covered in cartilage, which allows for the relatively pain-free articulation of the spine during routine motion (sitting, standing, twisting, bending, lifting, walking, etc.). Over time, however, the cartilage covering the facet joints breaks down naturally as we age. Heavy lifting, poor weight management, improper lifting technique, and too much sedentary activity can all accelerate the breakdown of facet joint cartilage, increasing the chances of compressing nearby spinal nerves and causing extremely sharp back pain. The spinal column can be the source of mechanical pain.
In many cases, imaging tests (x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging) will be necessary to confirm the diagnosis of a facet joint-related spinal back pain. Your doctor will have to first rule out muscle tears and muscle spasms caused by oxygen-starvation in your back muscles (often occurring as the result of too much time spent in a sitting or standing position, which keeps muscles in the back in a highly tensed state). While a compromised facet joint is certainly a cause for concern, by no means is the problem untreatable. Many patients are able to successfully mediate their pain levels at home, without having to explore the possibility of spinal back surgery.
spinal facet joint pain
In order to treat back pain caused by degenerating facet joints, most patients effectively mediate their pain levels using over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Pain medication usually restores enough temporary mobility to explore other long-term treatments, such as physical therapy. Patients may use a physical therapy or chiropractor / chiropractic regimen to develop muscles along the spinal column, which in turn will relieve load stress from compromised spinal discs (the shock-absorbing pads between our vertebrae) and facet joints alike. During your physical therapy or chiropractor / chiropractic regimen, several checkups will likely be necessary in order for your physician to accurately gauge your progress and recommend changes to your course of treatment.
If the cartilage has worn to the point where nearby spinal nerves are at risk, back surgery may be necessary to preserve a patient’s long-term health and mobility. Regular spinal nerve compression can lead to muscle weakness, sharp back pain, and eventual nerve damage and loss of sensation in other parts of the body. If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible to determine if parts of your spinal discs or facet joints are responsible. If back / spine surgery is needed, your physicians can offer excellent advice on your post-operative care period, including incremental increases in physical therapy to preserve (and in some cases improve) patient mobility.
facet joint, spinal, pain, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont
Generally, spinal facet joint pain can be diagnosed by having a physician (spine surgeon, neurosurgeon, pain specialist) perform a facet joint block. This procedure “numbs” the nerves (medial branch of nerves) traveling to the facet joint. If the block is successful at relieving the pain, it can be concluded that the pain is coming from the facet joint. At that point, a more permanent facet joint rhizotomy, in which the nerves to the facet are destroyed (with thermal coagulation, also known as a rhizotomy) , may be of good benefit (after undergoing two trails of a facet joint nerve block). A fusion of the spine (ALIF, TLIF, XLIF, PLIF, DLIF) can also help with pain coming from the facet joint, as the fusion will immobilize the joint.
Physician experts at the Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston, TX, have significant experience in diagnosing and treating spinal facet joint pain. The Kraus Back and Neck Institute (KBNI) in Houston TX cares for patients in Houston and the surrounding areas, including Sugarland, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sealy, Baytown, Pearland, Beaumont, Galleria, Tomball, Conroe, Humble, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Galveston, Memorial City, Texas Medical Center (TMC) and other Texas TX cities including Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin.
facet joint, spinal, pain, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont
Keywords: facet joint, spinal, pain, Houston, Woodlands, Katy, Spring, Sugarland, Sealy, Pearland, Baytown, Beaumont, Tomball, Galleria, Humble, Conroe, Kingwood, Port Arthur, Memorial City, Galveston, Texas Medical Center (TMC), Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin
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