February 2017 - Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota

Ladder Fall Injuries & Related Pain

February 27, 2017/0 Comments/in Pain /by Matthew Thorson

With spring just around the corner, many Minnesotans will soon find themselves outside doing yardwork that often requires the use of a ladder. Falling from a ladder can lead to a variety of injuries and related pain. In this article, we are going to talk about injuries and pain resulting from ladder falls, as well as some options for managing and relieving related pain.

Injuries Resulting from a Ladder Fall

Whether they happen at work or in your backyard, ladder fall injuries can be incredibly painful. Here are some potential injuries a persona can sustain when falling from a ladder:

Fractures and Broken Bones
Sprains, Strains & Bruises
Concussions and other Traumatic Brain Injuries
Spinal Injuries (Slipped Discs, Pinched Nerves, etc.)

In addition to these acute injuries, ladder falls can also exacerbate pre-existing conditions like bursitis, arthritis, and the like – leading to increased pain.

Treatment Options

Treating pain from ladder fall injuries depends heavily on the extent of the injuries sustained in the accident. To get an accurate diagnosis, your doctor will perform a standard physical exam, and potentially order some imaging tests such as MRI, CT scan, or X-ray to confirm a diagnosis. After you have a diagnosis in hand, you can move forward with treatment options. Depending on the severity of your injuries, treatment options may include pain medications, injections, surgery, or physical therapy. Regenerative stem cell injections can also be an effective treatment tool. PRP therapy and prolotherapy are both natural, surgery alternatives that can significantly decrease pain by encouraging natural tissue regrowth.

Minnesota Pain Management Clinic

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN offers pain management care to patients throughout the Twin Cities. Our Minnesota pain management doctors are board-certified and have over two decades of experience treating acute and chronic pain. We partner with each and every patient to develop a treatment strategy that works for their unique needs. If you are dealing with pain after a ladder fall accident, contact us today at our Minneapolis or Edina pain clinics to set up your appointment.

Tips for Living with Degenerative Spinal Disc Disease

February 20, 2017/0 Comments/in Back Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Degenerative spinal discs can cause a lot of problems including (but not limited to) back pain, loss of sensation, and a decreased range-of-motion or mobility. Treating these painful and debilitating symptoms requires a strategic approach. In this article, we are going to offer a few tips for living with degenerative disc disease and related back pain.

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a condition in which the discs in your spine begin to break down and degrade over time as the body experiences wear and tear with age. Spinal discs are incredibly important to the body’s ability to function well. Your discs act as a sort of cushion between each of the vertebrae in your spine. When these discs break down, it can cause pain and a lot of other problems. Some of the symptoms of degenerative disc disease may include all of the following:

Back pain
Numbness, tingling, or loss of feeling in your back or extremities
Nerve-related pain
Range-of-motion loss (inability to bend or twist)

Pain Management for Degenerative Spinal Discs

Managing the pain that comes with degenerative disc disease can take many forms. First, of course, it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis of the condition and the extent of the degeneration. If the discs are impinging nerves in the spine, and the pain is nerve related, a nerve block injection may be beneficial. If there is a lot of inflammation in the area, a steroidal injection could be the best option. It’s important to consult with a back pain specialist to discuss the full range of options available to you before deciding on a course of treatment.

Minneapolis Pain Clinic

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN treats patients throughout the Twin Cities who suffer from all types of pain – from acute to chronic. Our Minnesota pain physicians partner with each patient to form a treatment strategy that is unique to each patient’s needs. If you are experiencing chronic back pain, you may be dealing with degenerative discs. Contact our board certified pain management doctors today at our Edina or Minneapolis clinics to set up your appointment and get back to living a pain-free life.

My Pain Clinic is Closing – What Should I Do?

February 13, 2017/0 Comments/in Chronic Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Finding a pain doctor or clinic that you trust is an important step for pain sufferers. But sometimes pain clinics close down, or physicians move or retire, leaving patients wondering what to do next. This article will offer some tips for patients who find themselves suddenly without a pain doctor or clinic.

Don’t Despair

The most important thing to remember is to not give up. Patients who find themselves without their trusted doctor or clinic can succumb to feelings of despair, thinking that they’ll never find adequate pain relief again. This is the worst thing you can do for your pain. Keep your spirits up, don’t despair, and take action.

Start Searching for a New Clinic

Start looking for a new doctor or clinic as soon as you can. Typically, when a doctor moves or retires, they will refer their patients out to other physicians that they trust. If they don’t, do your research, ask friends and family, and find a new pain doctor that is qualified, experienced, and well regarded by patients and peers.

Ask for Your Medical Records

If possible, ask your previous doctor or clinic for your medical records so you can have these to pass along to your new doctor. Typically this won’t be an issue if your doctor is moving or retiring, but it can be harder if the clinic is going out of business.

Minneapolis Pain Clinic – Make an Appointment

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN offers pain management care to patients with acute and chronic pain. Our board-certified pain doctors have been treating patients in Minnesota for over two decades. If your current pain clinic is closing, or your doctor is moving/retiring, reach out to us today for your continued pain care needs. We have pain clinics located in Minneapolis and Edina, but treat patients throughout the Twin Cities as well as greater Minnesota. Contact us today to set up your appointment with one of our pain specialists.

Pain Relief after Spinal Fusion Surgery

February 6, 2017/0 Comments/in Back Pain, Surgery /by Matthew Thorson

Most patients who undergo spine fusion surgery are doing so in order to reduce back pain and other issues. But the surgery itself often results in pain. There are many different methods for reducing pain after a surgical procedure. In this article, we are going to discuss a few of the most common options for managing pain after a spine fusion procedure.

Pain Medication

Over-the-counter pain medications, as well as prescription opioids can be used to effectively manage pain after spine surgery. It’s important to have a skilled pain doctor craft a prescription strategy that weans the patient off of opioid medications and on to less addictive NSAIDs. Opioids are effective at reducing pain, but are also extremely habit-forming. Many patients form addictions to these medications after surgery due to over-prescription. A good pain management physician can help avoid these pitfalls.

Injections

Swelling and inflammation is a common source of pain after spine surgery for many patients. Steroidal injections can help reduce inflammation and related pain in the area following surgery.

Stem Cell / Regenerative Medicine

Many patients are hesitant to try regenerative medicine treatments, but these techniques have been proven to offer significant pain reduction with minimal invasiveness. PRP and prolotherapy injections can help stimulate natural tissue growth and regeneration, and help repair tissue that was damaged during the surgical procedure.

Minneapolis Spine Pain Doctors

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been helping Minnesota residents manage their pain for over two decades. Our board-certified pain management physicians are trained in the most up to date and innovative treatment methods including regenerative medicine options (PRP and Prolotherapy). If you are experiencing significant pain after your spine fusion surgery, talk to a pain management doctor in your area to learn about your options for managing the pain. Contact us today at our Minneapolis pain clinic to set up your appointment with one of our Minnesota back pain doctors.

How Much Should You Force Yourself to Move if You Have Back Pain?

February 2, 2017/0 Comments/in Back Pain /by Matthew Thorson

We’ve talked before about how back pain can actually get worse if you relegate yourself to the couch and don’t move. Movement is good for your spine and you should do your best to get off the couch and move around if you are in pain. However, that doesn’t mean you should push yourself past your limits. This article is all about finding that balance between too much and loo little movement if you suffer from back pain.

The Importance of Movement

Whether you’re recovering from spine surgery, an injury, or dealing with a degenerative back pain condition, it’s important to remain physically active during recovery. Physical activity will help your spine recover and reduce pain in the back.

Listen to Your Body

You know your body better than anyone else can, and it’s ultimately up to you to determine when enough is enough. Push yourself to be active a few times a day, but take things slow. Start with some walking, jogging, or low impact exercises and see how your body responds. If you are unsure about the amount of activity you should be engaging in with your back pain, don’t hesitate to contact a pain specialist in your area. A doctor specializing in pain management can help you formulate a strategy for treating your pain in the most effective way possible.

Bloomington Back Pain Clinic

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN provides state-of-the-art treatments for patients with all types of back pain – from chronic to acute. With other two decades of experience, our board certified pain management physicians have the knowledge and expertise to get you the care you need. We provide a wide variety of treatment options for back pain, including steroid injections, nerve blocks, spinal cord stimulators, and PRP injections. Give us a call today at our Edina or Minneapolis pain clinics to set up your appointment with one of our MN pain doctors and get back on the road to a pain-free life!