Back & Spine Pain

Let Us Help You Get Active Again with Advanced Orthopedic Care

Are you trying to endure back pain? Do you have a long-term spine condition or living with the realities of normal wear and tear? Our back pain specialists in El Paso can help you get your life back by providing the safe care you need, close to home. Here’s what you can expect from the orthopedic care we provide at The Hospitals of Providence:

• A wide range of nonsurgical and surgical neck and back pain treatment options
• Advanced technology for screenings and surgery
• Orthopedic navigators who guide patients through their back and spine care – from testing to post-treatment, rehabilitation and insurance assistance
• Orthopedic rehabilitation program with the high level of care you deserve

What Conditions Do We Treat?

Our team of specialists will work with you to offer the best possible course of treatment and recovery, with a focus on exploring nonsurgical options first. But if these options don’t work for you, we also offer surgery, using innovative technology, to help you get back to being active as early as possible. Some of the conditions we help treat include but are not limited to the following:

• Cancers of the spine
• Degenerative disc disease
• Herniated disc
• Kyphosis
• Radiculopathy
• Scoliosis
• Spinal stenosis
• Spine or back fractures
• Spondylolisthesis

Why Does Your Lower Back Hurt?

About 70-80% of Americans experience lower back pain at some time in their life, but it’s more common in patients between age 30 and 50. Lower back pain is also called lumbago, and it is usually caused by a problem in one or more parts of the lower back such as the muscles, nerves, spine and ligaments.

Acute back pain may last from several days to a few weeks, while chronic back pain usually lasts more than three months. If you are suffering from back pain, this may be caused by any of the following:

• Abnormal spine curvatures (i.e., scoliosis, lordosis, kyphosis)
• Arthritis
• Bladder problem
• A herniated or ruptured disc
• Fibromyalgia
• Kidney infection
• Spine infection
• Sciatica
• Spine cancer
• Spinal stenosis

What Are the Risk Factors for Back Pain?

Here are some of the things or conditions that may increase a person’s risk for back pain:

• Arthritis
• Obesity
• Old age
• Engaging in high-impact activities without warming up or stretching first
• Physical inactivity
• Smoking

How Do Orthopedic Specialists Diagnose Back Pain?

Orthopedic specialists normally conduct a physical exam to diagnose back pain and test a patient’s reflexes, spine’s range of motion, leg strength, ability to detect sensation in the legs and ability to walk and stand. For more severe symptoms, the doctor may also request other tests and screenings, such as the following:

• Blood and/or urine tests
• Bone scan
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Electromyography (EMG)
• X-ray

What Are the Nonsurgical Treatment Options for Back Pain?

Back pain is often not serious, and it often gets better over time. This could be one of the reasons why doctors offer nonsurgical options first for back pain relief. These options may include any of the following, depending on the specific type of back pain:

• Medications (i.e., ibuprofen and naproxen)
• Topical rubs and ointments
• Antidepressants
• Back braces
• Steroid injections
• Ice or heat therapy
• Muscle relaxants
• Alternative medicine (i.e., massage, cognitive behavioral therapy, acupuncture, relaxation techniques, etc.)

Can Surgery Fix Back Pain?

If, after a certain amount of time, nonsurgical options are still not enough to relieve your lower back pain, your doctor may recommend surgery. Different types of surgery can usually help fix back pain if the pain is related to a mechanical problem in the spine. Some of the most common surgeries for back pain include but are not limited to the following:

• Artificial disk replacement
• Discectomy
• Foraminotomy
• Nucleoplasty
• Spinal decompression
• Spinal fusion
• Spinal laminectomy
• Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty

What Type of Back Pain Requires Surgery?

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) says that the following back pain-related conditions may benefit from surgical treatment:

• Degenerative disk disease
• Herniated or ruptured disks
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Vertebral fractures

We also understand that the thought of undergoing surgery can be frightening for some patients. But you can rest assured that our surgeons are not only experienced in what they do. They take a compassionate approach to provide the level of care that can make you feel at ease, supported and guided every step of the way.

Should You Go to the Doctor for Back Pain?

Right off the bat, we say yes. Back pain, although quite common, may be a symptom of a more serious condition. Therefore, please do not delay care. Schedule an appointment with a back pain specialist in El Paso as soon as you experience pain, whether it’s acute or severe. Seeing a doctor may not only help relieve your pain. It may also help you determine its root cause and get the care you need before it gets worse.

When Should You See a Back Pain Specialist in El Paso?

As mentioned, it is best to see a specialist as soon as you experience back pain, regardless of how acute or severe the pain is. However, the following signs and symptoms may indicate that your back pain is more serious and that you should schedule an appointment with a back pain specialist in El Paso as soon as possible:

• Back swelling or deformity
• Chest pain
• Difficulty urinating
• Fever
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Numbness or tingling around your genitals or buttocks
• The pain comes from the top of your back or between your shoulders instead of the lower back
• The pain gets worse at night
• The pain gets worse when you cough, poop or sneeze
• The pain makes it hard for you to fall or stay asleep
• Unintentional weight loss

Are you ready to start your journey to back pain relief? Call 866-934-3627 (THOP) to find an orthopedic specialist in El Paso and nearby cities. Meanwhile, if you’re interested in learning more about back pain treatment and other related topics, register here and we will call you to reserve your spot for an upcoming seminar.