The 5 things you should know about chronic pain from BecomePainFree.com

Only sufferers of chronic pain know the implications of pain in every aspect of life. Family members and friends of someone with chronic pain may sympathize to some extent, but it’s difficult to truly understand how chronic pain affects someone. If you have a friend or family member suffering from chronic pain — whether caused by an accident or injury, or another health condition such asfibromyalgia — use these tips to understanding chronic pain to help you be most supportive to your loved one.

1.Don’t pass chronic pain off as “all in your head.” People who suffer from chronic pain are rarely fabricating or exaggerating their symptoms. Conditions causing chronic pain can make an individual truly miserable. Many cases of chronic pain are difficult to diagnose, and thus management and treatment is far more challenging than in cases of acute pain, where the source of pain is easily diagnosed.

2.Chronic pain is different from acute pain. Acute pain lasts for a brief period of time, perhaps following an injury or accident. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is persistent and can even be permanent. We have all felt acute pain at some point in time, but only those with chronic pain know what it is to be in pain constantly.

3.Chronic pain may be caused by or the cause of other health conditions. Difficulty sleeping and depression are two conditions that often plague sufferers of chronic pain. Chronic pain can create a vicious cycle for the sufferer, for example: chronic pain leads to sleep disturbances, whereas lack of sleep can exacerbate chronic pain. The same is true of depression; it can be caused by or the cause of some chronic pain symptoms.

4.Every person’s pain is different. We all experience and express pain differently. Some people may be more tolerant of pain in specific parts of the body, while other people may express discomfort with pain in the same area or caused by the same condition.

5.Chronic pain is emotionally exhausting. Imagine that you are in pain or don’t feel good for months or years on end, with no relief. Constant pain wears on the emotions and can lead to depression and anger. Treatment for chronic pain often means treating each symptom and effect of that pain, including mental health issues such as depression.

Chronic pain is a lonely condition. If someone you know or love is suffering from chronic pain, don’t try to compare their pain to your own experiences, or assume their pain is all made up. Rather, offer your care and support. Be willing to listen when they need to talk and supportive throughout treatment programs.

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Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Minimally Invasive Surgery:

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Recent surgical advancements have focused on performing surgery through smaller incisions, with less disruption to surrounding soft-tissues. The idea behind minimally invasive surgery is to perform the same treatment without damage to normal surrounding tissues. The drawback of minimally invasive surgery is that sometimes the underlying problem may not be adequately addressed because of an inability to get to the problem. Whenever a new minimally invasive procedure is introduced, there is almost always controversy as to whether or not the procedure is as good as traditional surgery.

Endoscopic Spine Surgery:

Endoscopic spine surgery uses specialized video equipment inserted through small incisions to see the structures of the spine. Similar to arthroscopic surgery of a joint, endoscopic surgery has advanced over the past decade from merely being able to look to the area of interest, to the ability to repair and reconstruct a variety of complex problems.The benefit of endoscopic spine surgery is the potential to address problems through very small incisions. By not damaging the muscles around the spine, recovery can often be much faster than with a larger surgical exposure.

Microdiscectomy, Microlaminectomy and Microforamenotomy:

All of these micro-surgeries are variations of standard surgeries used to take pressure off of the nerves around the spinal cord. Traditionally done through larger incisions, the micro procedures use smaller incisions and specialized surgical instruments to accomplish the same goals of traditional surgery.There is no rule on where the line between traditional surgery and micro surgery is drawn. To some doctors this means a smaller incision, to others it means the use of special surgical instruments. Many variations of a procedure could be considered micro surgery.

Laser Spine Surgery:

Laser spine surgery is a technique that uses a laser to remove damaged tissues. Because a laser can be inserted through small incisions, it can be used to cut away damaged tissues (such as disc fragments) without having to make a large incision.There is significant controversy about laser spine surgery as this technique has not been shown to have significant benefits, despite advertising that may make you think otherwise. Often marketed in magazines and the Internet, laser spine surgery has become the focus of some lawsuits formisleading patients about expected results from surgery.

Is It Better?:

Is minimally invasive surgery better? There are many ways to answer this question. The bottom line is that we simply do not know. There are theoretic advantages, and there are possible downsides. But there are very few studies that compare the possible risks with the potential benefits of minimally invasive surgery.The bottom line I suggest is to find a surgeon who, above all, is interested in fixing your problem, not someone who is selling you on a smaller incision. If the same benefit can be achieved without damage to normal tissues, then minimally invasive surgery may be a good option.

_Sources:

_{Mathews HH and Long BH “Minimally Invasive Techniques for the Treatment of Intervertebral Disk Herniation” J. Am. Acad. Orthop. Surg., March/April 2002; 10: 80 – 85.}

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Mayo Clinic, Spine Surgeon, Mayo Clinic Back Surgeon, Mayo Clinic Pain, Mayo Clinic Fellowship Trained Surgeon, Mayo Clinic Doctor, Mayo Clinic Back pain

We have two spine surgeons in our group and one on the way from the world famous Mayo Clinic. These Mayo Clinic surgeons are some of the best in the United States of America both of these Mayo Clinic trained doctors work in Texas. Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio we ave you covered with Mayo Clinic trained spine surgeons. Here is the information on these doctors below.Check out our website at https://www.becomepainfree.com/

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Steven J. Cyr, M.D., FAAOS

Mayo Clinic Trained Spine Physician

Steven J. Cyr, M.D., FAAOS 

Steven J. Cyr, M.D., is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon who received extensive training to specialize in the delicate science of Spine Surgery. Anyone who knows Dr. Cyr well will tell you that he is a man driven for quality and excellence. His high standards can be seen throughout his educational process and career.
He received top honors at Southwest Texas State University by graduating Summa Cum Laude and Valedictorian with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. In addition to rigorous academics, he was also a member of the Bobcat football team during his three years at SWTSU.

Dr. Cyr gained early acceptance into medical school and earned his MD from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He then began his service to the United States Air Force with a transitional internship at Wilford Hall Medical Center. He served the air force community as a flight surgeon for two years before beginning residency training in orthopaedic surgery at Wilford Hall.

Following residency, Dr. Cyr was honored to be chosen from among the country’s top residents as the only fellow for the highly competitive and prestigious spine fellowship at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. This training program has ranked number one for orthopaedic and neurosurgical training programs in America for the last 20 years. Mayo combines these two fields, giving their surgeons an understanding of nerve and spine function unparalleled in most other programs.

Upon completion of his fellowship, Dr. Cyr and his family moved back to San Antonio, where he served the military population as the Chief of Air Force Spine Surgery and Spine Surgery Consultant to the Surgeon General of the Air Force. For six years, Dr. Cyr taught future air force orthopaedic surgeons in residency at Wilford Hall and has twice served our war wounded in Iraq at the Air Force Theater Hospital in Balad.

He has brought innovative techniques to the military and was the first to perform the total disc replacement procedure as well as endoscopic spinal surgery. He specializes in complicated spine issues and has gained notoriety for successful repairs of failed surgeries on patients from numerous other states and around the world. Dr. Cyr’s expertise and skills are now available to civilian patients at the Orthopaedic and Spine Institute, where his passion for excellence and quality keep him at the leading edge of spine surgery.

Mayo Clinic Trained Spine Physician

Dr. Venkat Sethuraman M.D. 

Mayo Fellowship Trained Board-Certified Spine Surgeon
Minimally Invasive Spine Specialist

Education Undergraduate: Rutgers College, New Brunswick, NJ

Medical: Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA Training Orthopaedic Surgery

Residency: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA Spine

Fellowship: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Hospital Affiliations Baylor Irving Medical Center Irving Coppell Surgical Center Irving

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Offices:

Coppell :

2021 N. MacArthur Blvd 400 West IH 635 Bldg. @, Suite 115

Irving:

Plaza 1, Suite 200
Irving, TX 75061
Irving, TX 75063

Plano:

2301 Marsh Lane,
Plano, TX 75093

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Certificates/Diploma’s:

Listing Details

Address

2021 N. MacArthur Blvd, Irving, Tx, 75061

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Physician Specialist Dallas, Physician Specialist Fort Worth, Physician Specialist , Pain Management, Pain Management Doctor Dallas, Pain Management Dr., Pain Management Texas

Pain in acute myocardial infarction (rear) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

BecomePainFree.com is an established Medical Group in Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston TX. specializing in pain management doctors.  Our physicians in our group utilize a variety of medically proven techniques and therapies to address the medical concerns of our patients, and assist in pain control and management.

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We at the BecomePainFree.com believe that the patient’s comfort is and always should be the number one concern!  If you are in pain we will see you today.  Our physicians in our group offer comprehensive treatment options, ranging in scope from diagnostic, homeopathic, therapeutic,  chiropractic, Pain injections, surgery, neurology,  pharmaceuticals and pain pills.  We work closely with our patients and take their needs and desires into consideration during the course of evaluation, counseling and treatment services.

Everyone experiences some sort of pain at one point or another during the time of there life. It’s often an indication that something is wrong with your health.

Each individual person is the best judge of his or her own pain. Feelings of pain can range from mild and occasional to severe and constant pains.

What Is Acute Pain or Chronic Pain?

Acute pain normally begins suddenly and is usually sharp in quality. It serves as a warning of disease or a threat to the body system. Acute pain may be caused by many events or circumstances, such as:

• Surgery
• Failed Back Surgery
• Cancer
• Injuries
• Accidents
• Headaches
• Migraines
• Knee Surgery
• Heel Pain
• Foot Pain
• Broken bones
• Dental work
• Burns or cuts
• Labor and childbirth

Acute pain may be mild and last just a moment or so, or it may be severe and last for weeks or months even years. In most cases, acute pain does not last longer than six months and it disappears when the underlying cause of pain has been treated or has healed. Unrelieved acute pain, however, may lead to chronic pain.

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Hurt Back, Spine Surgery, Back Pain, Low Back Pain, Pain, Pain Help, Pain Management, Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation

Augmentation means to add to not take away, a vertebral indicates a vertebra, and the word percutaneous means through the skin. PVA is minimally invasive procedure used to augment a vertebra that has fractured because of osteoporosis or injury to the spine.
Vertebroplasty Procedure 

Orientation of vertebrae (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

A percutaneous vertebroplasty is a relatively new minimally spine invasive procedure used to treat compression fractures if traditional conservative therapy fails. Vertebroplasty may be able to offer spine stability to patients with spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis and those who have had trauma or tumors of the spine.

After a diagnosis of the compression fracture has been made through an MRI or CT scan ordered by a doctor, the patient lies prone and is sedated with a mild anesthetic. Under the guidance of an imaging technique called C-arm or fluoroscopy, the physician injects a cement-like mixture (polymethylmethacrylate) into the vertebra. The entire process takes one to two hours usually , although the actual injection usually takes only about 10 minutes. The cement mixture hardens in about half an hour and after a short recovery period the patient is sent home. Pain killers are often given to the patient for the first couple of days to help ease the pain.

Percutaneous vertebroplasty may be preferred to open surgery for osteoporosis patients because of the already brittle bone areas. However, percutaneous vertebroplasty will not correct the bone lost due to by osteoporosis nor grow it back; it may only stabilize the new fractures. The procedure may restore lost height and decrease “widow’s hump.”

Although the long-term prognosis may not be good for patients with spinal tumors, percutaneous vertebroplasty can be used for spine stabilization to improve their quality of life, pain relief and ability to function.

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Back Pain, Pain, Spine Surgery, Kyphoplasty Surgery Procedure

1. During a kyphoplasty surgery, a small incision is made in the back in the spinal area through which the doctor places a very narrow tube. Using fluoroscopy to guide it to the correct position, the tube creates a path through the back into the fractured area through the pedicle of the involved vertebrae.
2. Using the X-ray images, the doctor inserts a very special medical balloon through the tube and into the vertebrae area, and then gently and carefully inflates it slowly. As the balloon inflates slowly, it elevates the fracture, returning the pieces to a more normal position. It also compacts the soft inner bone to create a cavity inside the vertebrae.
3. The balloon then is removed and the doctor uses specially designed instruments under low pressure to fill the cavity with a cement-like material called polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). After being injected, the pasty material hardens quickly, stabilizing the bone.

same as Image:Gray 111 – Vertebral column.png but coloured (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Kyphoplasty surgery to treat a fracture from osteoporosis is performed at a hospital under local or general anesthesia. Other possible logistics for a typical kyphoplasty procedure are:

• The kyphoplasty procedure takes about one hour for each vertebra involved in the surgery
• Patients will be observed closely in the recovery room immediately following the kyphoplasty procedure
• Patients may sometimes spend one day in the hospital after the kyphoplasty procedure

 

Patients should not drive until their doctor gives them approval. If they are released the day of the kyphoplasty surgery, they will need to arrange for transportation home from the hospital they should never drive home.

Recovery from Kyphoplasty

Pain relief may be immediate for some patients. In others, elimination or reduction of pain is reported within a few days. At home, patients can and should return to their normal daily activities, although strenuous exertion, such as heavy lifting, should be avoided for at least six weeks.

 

Candidates for Kyphoplasty

Kyphoplasty cannot correct an established deformity of the spine, and certain patients with osteoporosis are not candidates for this treatment. Patients experiencing painful symptoms or spinal deformities from recent osteoporotic compression fractures are likely candidates for kyphoplasty. The procedure should be completed within 8 weeks of when the fracture occurs for the highest probability of restoring height.

Risks and Complications of Kyphoplasty

Some general surgical risks apply to kyphoplasty, including a reaction to anesthesia and infection. Other risks that are specific to the kyphoplasty procedure and vertebroplasty include:

• Nerve damage or a spinal cord injury from malposition instruments placed in the back
• Nerve injury or spinal cord compression from leaking of the PMMA into veins or epidural space
• Allergic reaction to the solution used to see the balloon on the x-ray image as it inflates

Balloon Kyphoplasty

It is not known whether kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty will increase the number of fractures at adjacent levels of the spine. Bench studies on treated bone have shown that inserting PMMA does not change the stiffness of the bone, but human studies have not been done. Osteoporosis is a chronic, progressive disease. As stated earlier, patients who have sustained fractures from osteoporosis are at an increased risk for additional fractures due to the loss of bone strength caused by osteoporosis.

To inquire if your health condition will qualify for this procedure please visit http://www.becomepainfree.com