Back Pain Archives - Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of Minnesota

New study – Effectiveness of epidural amniotic fluid injection for low back pain

February 4, 2021/in Back Pain /by Matthew Thorson

A study was recently completed on the use of epidural amniotic fluid for lower back pain. Dr. Matthew Thorsen was involved in the study, which was published in The Spine Journal Volume 20, Issue 9, Supplement, September 2020, Page S82

The study concluded that AF epidural injections are most effective for patients with lumbar HNP and moderately effective for those with stenosis. AF injections for DDD patients gave inconsistent results. See below for complete details or click here.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Epidural corticosteroid injections have long been used to treat pain and inflammation associated with lumbar HNP, DDD and spinal stenosis symptoms. amniotic fluid, AF, is rich in the components that are believed to contribute to healing by minimizing inflammation. AF injections in nonspinal conditions have been shown to be safe and avoid adverse effects related to steroids.

PURPOSE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of a single amniotic fluid injection into the epidural space for the treatment of low back pain. Specifically, this pilot study is to define indications for future large-scale comparative studies. Three diagnostic LBP patient groups were evaluated, HNP, stenosis, and DDD.

STUDY DESIGN/SETTING

IRB approved prospective three cohort clinical study.

PATIENT SAMPLE

Patients were enrolled who had LBP and leg symptoms for more than 3 months with clinical and MRI findings for HNP, stenosis or DDD. Inclusion criteria necessitated that patients had not responded to medications, physical therapy, and chiropractic.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Back pain and leg pain VAS, ODI, PROMIS, pain medication usage.

METHODS

After obtaining consent, 20 patients in each diagnostic group, had 2mls transforaminal epidural AF injected at symptomatic level using fluoroscopy. Pre- and postprocedure outcomes were obtained with follow-up outcomes obtained at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3-4 months, 6 months and 1 year.

RESULTS

The average age (± SD) of HNP, stenosis, and DDD patients was 39±13, 57±10, 44±14 respectively. There were no complications or other adverse effects. HNP patients had the greatest reduction in symptoms with average LBP VAS improvement from 6.5 to 2.4, leg VAS from 5.7 to 1.5, and ODI from 35 to 6. Stenosis patients had LBP VAS from 6.1 to 3.7, leg VAS from 6.0 to 2.2, and ODI from 41 to 29. DDD patients had LBP VAS from 6.8 to 4.6. Within groups, HNP had significant improvement at all follow-ups for VAS back & leg pain, Pain Diagram, ODI, and PROMIS-Phys. Stenosis patients had significant improvement at all FU <8 months for VAS back & leg pain, Pain Diagram, ODI, and PROMIS-Phys. DDD group had significant improvement at all FU for VAS back pain. Between groups, there was no difference in pretreatment measures. HNP had significantly greater improvement in VAS back & leg pain, & ODI compared to DDD.HNP had significantly greater leg pain improvement compared to Stenosis. Stenosis patients had significantly greater improvement in VAS leg pain compared to DDD. HNP patients had the greatest reduction in pain medications. Of patients that failed AF, 2 HNPs had discectomy and 4 DDDs had fusion/TDR which is dramatically less surgery than in prior steroid injection studies by the authors

CONCLUSIONS

AF epidural injections are most effective for patients with lumbar HNP and moderately effective for those with stenosis. AF injections for DDD patients gave inconsistent results. Future prospective studies of AF vs steroid injections are warranted for HNP and stenosis patients.

Can I Get Medical Marijuana for my Back Pain in Minnesota?

June 19, 2017/0 Comments/in Back Pain, Medical Marijuana /by Matthew Thorson

Medical cannabis is still relatively new in Minnesota and a lot of patients have questions about the process itself and whether or not medical marijuana is an option for their condition. In this article, we are going to talk about the conditions that qualify for medical marijuana in Minnesota and answer the question: “can medical marijuana be prescribed for back pain in Minnesota?”

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Marijuana

In order to receive a prescription for medical cannabis in the state of Minnesota you need to be diagnosed with a qualifying condition. Not all conditions are eligible for medical marijuana treatment in Minnesota. Here are the qualifying conditions for medical marijuana:

Intractable Pain
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Seizures
Cancer
Severe and persistent muscle spasms
Glaucoma
Terminal illness with severe pain, nausea, and/or wasting
HIV/AIDS
Tourette’s Syndrome
Chronic Cachexia (wasting and/or severe nausea)
Crohn’s Disease

If you have one of the above conditions you could qualify for prescription medical cannabis. Lower back pain is a very general symptom that could be caused by a wide variety of conditions (including some of the above). So to answer the question of this article, yes medical marijuana can be prescribed to treat low back pain as long as it is caused by one of the above qualifying conditions.

Twin Cities Medical Marijuana Doctor

The first step in the process is to find a Minnesota pain doctor who is able to prescribe medical marijuana (like us), and make an appointment to discuss your situation. Our Minnesota pain doctors are board-certified in pain management and have decades of experience treating patients with all types of conditions and injuries. We are also qualified to prescribe medical cannabis in Minnesota. Contact our Minneapolis / St. Paul medical marijuana doctors today to see if you qualify for medical cannabis in Minnesota.

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.

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!

Spinal Cord Stimulator vs. Morphine Pump

Morphine Pump vs. Spinal Cord Stimulator for Back Pain

December 28, 2016/0 Comments/in Back Pain /by Matthew Thorson

As we have discussed many times on this blog, there are a wide variety of treatment options for patients who suffer from chronic pain. In this article, we are going to compare and contrast morphine pumps and spinal cord stimulators in terms of the pain management options they provide.

Spinal Cord Stimulator

A spinal cord stimulator is a small device that is surgically implanted into a patient’s body. This device sends electrical signals to the spine at regulated intervals to disrupt the pain signals sent from the spinal nerves to the brain. The idea behind spinal cord stimulation is to interrupt these pain signals in the spinal nerves before they are able to reach the brain. As a result, the patient does not feel the nerve-related pain because their brain has not received the signal to feel pain.

Spinal cord stimulators can be effective pain management solutions for patients with spinal nerve issues (bulging discs, pinched nerves, etc.).

Morphine Pump

A morphine pump is somewhat similar to a spinal cord stimulator in that it is a device that is surgically implanted into a person’s body. This device sends morphine into the spine in order to reduce back pain. The biggest difference between a stimulator and a morphine pain pump is the method of pain relief. A stimulator sends electrical signals to disrupt the transmission of pain signals to the brain, while a pain pump is delivering actual medication to the painful area. Both systems of pain relief can be effective for different conditions and injuries. One concern with the morphine pain pump is that you want to regulate the morphine in such a way so the patient doesn’t form an addiction. Spinal cord stimulators don’t have that concern.

Minneapolis Pain Management

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been offering pain management solutions to Minnesota patients for the past two decades. Our board-certified pain doctors have experience treating acute and chronic pain condition, and are trained in the most innovative treatments and procedures, including regenerative medicine techniques (PRP therapy and Prolotherapy injections). If you are suffering from chronic pain and want to get back to living your life without the constant interference of pain, contact our Edina pain doctors today to set up your appointment.

3 Pain Relief Tips for Patients with Sciatica Pain

December 26, 2016/0 Comments/in Back Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Sciatica is a painful condition in which the sciatic nerve at the base of the spine gets pinched. The result is pain and sometimes loss of functionality in the back and legs. In this article, we are going to offer three pain relief tips for patients who are suffering from sciatica-related back and leg pain.

Be Proactive About Your Care

Many patients who suffer from sciatica pain try to treat the condition on their own. DIY home care can only get you so far. You may find some relief treating the condition on your own, but more likely you’ll waste a lot of time and suffer through a lot of pain that could be avoided by consulting with a doctor. The most important piece of advice we can give you is to be proactive about your pain care. Make an appointment with a pain doctor who specializes in treating sciatica, discuss your symptoms, and form a treatment strategy together.

Don’t Avoid Exercise

When you’re suffering from chronic sciatica pain, your first instinct is likely to rest. But sitting and lying down day in and day out typically makes spinal and nerve conditions worse. Don’t go run a marathon if you’re in pain, but get off the couch and do some mild exercise every day.

Consider Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative treatments like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy offer a great surgery alternative to patients with sciatica pain. A lot of patients are hesitant about regenerative PRP injections because they are a relatively new treatment, but PRP can be a very successful treatment strategy for sciatica patients.

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN specializes in the treatment of acute and chronic pain conditions, including sciatica. Our team of board-certified pain doctors and nursing staff are well-versed in the most innovative treatment procedures, including regenerative medicine options such as PRP therapy. With over twenty years of experience, our Edina pain management physicians are fully equipped to help you diagnose and treat your pain. Contact our Twin Cities pain clinic today to set up your appointment with one of our physicians, and get back on the road to living a pain-free life!

Can I do Crossfit if I have Back Pain?

December 21, 2016/0 Comments/in Back Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Many people who suffer from chronic back pain want to know whether they should engage in certain physical activities. We’re going to talk about one such activity in this article – Crossfit. Is it a good idea to do Crossfit or some other intensive exercise program if you have back pain? That’s our topic for this article.

Crossfit, Exercise & Back Pain

Whether or not you can do Crossfit or the extent to which you can exercise depends heavily on the root cause of your back pain. Sometimes engaging in physical activity can decrease back pain. But other spinal conditions and injuries may be exacerbated by intense exercise.

If participating in Crossfit or some other physical activity makes your back pain even worse, you should stop. But that doesn’t mean you should hole up and avoid all physical activity! Some pain goes away on its own given time, while other types of chronic pain are long-lasting and require a proactive treatment approach.

Don’t Let Your Pain Stop You

Your pain shouldn’t stop you from doing the things you love to do. If your pain is preventing you from engaging in physical activities like Crossfit, it’s time to take steps to manage your pain. A skilled pain management physician can work with you to get to the bottom of what’s causing your pain, and develop a treatment plan that works with your particular needs.

Minneapolis Back Pain Relief

The board-certified pain management specialists at Advanced Spin & Pain Clinics of MN are experienced at treating all types of acute and chronic pain – whether from an injury or a pre-existing condition. Our Minnesota pain doctors have been providing pain management care for over two decades in the Twin Cities. We provide a wide variety of treatments to relieve pain – from prescription pain medication to regenerative medicine injections. Contact us today at our Edina pain clinic to set up your appointment with one of our doctors and get back on the road to a pain free life!

Myelomalacia – Symptoms & Pain Treatment Options

November 9, 2016/0 Comments/in Back Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Myelomalacia is a somewhat rare condition that results in a softening of the spinal cord. Not many people are even aware of this condition, but it is extremely serious and can even be deadly. Knowing the signs and symptoms of myelomalacia can help in the course of early treatment. This patient education article is all about Myelomalacia – its causes, symptoms, and pain relief options.

What is Myelomalacia?

Myelomalacia occurs when hemorrhaging happens within the spine, or when something halts the flow of blood to the spinal cord – which results in a “softening” of the spinal cord itself. Typically, this is caused by an acute injury – a car accident for example – but it can also happen due to degeneration of the spine over time.

Here are some of the signs and symptoms that may indicate a diagnosis of myelomalacia:

Pain along the spine
Paralysis or any loss of feeling in the legs or arms
Functional loss in any body part

Myelomalacia is a very serious condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible to avoid permanent nerve-related damage. If you notice any of these symptoms, see a medical professional right away to get a full diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Myelomalacia

An MRI scan will likely be necessary to fully and accurately diagnose the condition. Once obtained, your doctor can walk you through your options for treatment. If the condition has put any spinal nerves in danger, a minimally invasive surgical procedure may be necessary. If not, other non-surgical options like injections can be explored.

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN offers unparalleled pain management care to patients in the Twin Cities and throughout greater Minnesota. Our pain specialists have over two decades of experience treating patients who are living their lives in pain. We offer a wide variety of treatment options – from prescription medications, to injection therapy, to regenerative medicine techniques. Whether you’re suffering from acute or chronic pain, we’ve got the knowledge and experience needed to get you on the right path the pain relief. Contact us today at our Edina pain clinic to set up your very own appointment with one of our experienced pain management doctors.

Back Pain Management During Pregnancy

September 8, 2016/0 Comments/in Back Pain /by Matthew Thorson

Any woman who has gone through a pregnancy can tell you that back pain is a regular occurrence before, during, and sometimes after labor. Certain forms of back pain during pregnancy are completely normal, while others can be cause for concern. We’ll sort through those two categories and talk about the various treatment options available to pregnant women with back pain.

Back Pain During Pregnancy

Pregnant women can experience various types of pain throughout their term. Back pain is no exception. Pregnant mothers with pre-existing spinal conditions such as scoliosis, or herniated discs may find an increase in their back pain during pregnancy. Later in the pregnancy, women may experience low back issues as the direct result of the extra weight of the child. Most of the time, these back pain issues can be controlled with conservative methods like certain pain medications, exercises, and potentially injections. It’s important to communicate openly and often with your OB/GYN about how you are feeling throughout the pregnancy so you can both address any pain that crops up.

When Spine Surgery is Needed

In general, it’s a good idea for pregnant women to avoid spinal surgery if they can. There is an added level of risk that comes with operating on a pregnant patient, and you want to avoid that risk if possible. So if you have a spinal issue that is causing you pain, wait until after the birth if you can. There are rare cases in which a pregnant woman may need to have spine surgery – for example, if any spinal nerves are in danger of being permanently damaged. In these situations it’s best to have the most minimally invasive surgical procedure possible. That being said, these cases are exceedingly rare, and most pregnancy back pain can be treated via conservative methods.

The most important thing to do is have a skilled pain management doctor who can diagnose your pain and plot out a treatment course for you. Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN consists of some of the best pain doctors in Minnesota. Our physicians have been treating pain patients for over twenty years. Make an appointment with our pain management team at our Edina pain clinic today.