Back Pain and Sciatica
At Spine Associates, we offer a multidisciplinary approach to treating back pain and sciatica. This ensures that you get the best, most targeted treatment to relieve your pain and return you to your active lifestyle. Dr. Richard Francis is a leader in the field of spine surgery, pioneering treatments related to artificial disc implants, robotic assisted spine procedures and conducting research that leads to better treatments for our patients. We offer cutting-edge treatments and the latest technology to ensure that you receive the best possible results. Back pain related spine conditions that we treat include:
- Acute back disorders and injuries
- Sciatica
- Adult and pediatric scoliosis
- Failed spine surgeries
- Spinal deformities
- Spinal fractures
- Spondylolisthesis
- Pinched nerve (radiculopathy)
We also treat inflammatory and degenerative spine conditions, including herniated discs, degenerative discs, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, and arthritis.
Symptoms
You should consult a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Back pain that radiates down the buttock(s) and/or leg(s)
- Back pain that is related to certain activities or positions
- Back/leg pain with lack of coordination. Stumbling when walking
- Back pain that persists for more than a few months and may fluctuate
- Back pain that is worse in the morning and at the end of the day
Diagnosis
Diagnosing the exact cause of back pain can be difficult due to the complex nature of the spine itself. Dr. Francis is an expert at finding the root cause of pain and prescribing treatments targeting that pain. Our first step is to talk with each patient, gather a complete medical history, and conduct a physical exam of the spine. Many times, additional diagnostic tests including X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bone scans are used to diagnose spine conditions.
Treatments
We offer a multidisciplinary approach to treating back pain and sciatica. We’ve built close relationships with teams of neurologists, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, and radiologists who work together to create individualized treatment plans that account for a patient’s back condition and lifestyle. The vast majority of episodes of neck pain will get better with time and can be addressed with non-surgical treatments. However, there are a few symptoms that are possible indications of a serious medical condition and patients with these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
- Progressive neurological deficit (weakness in the arms or loss of feeling and coordination in the arms or legs) could indicate nerve damage.
- If sustained or increasing pain is accompanied by lack of appetite, unplanned weight loss, nausea and vomiting, or fever/chills/shakes, there could be a spinal tumor or infection