A CLOSER LOOK AT COMMON SPINAL CONCERNS
Hi, I’m Dr. Jared Robichaux, a dedicated spine & neurosurgeon with AVALA Spine. Our patients mean the world to us. When a patient comes to see me or one of my partners, they forever become a part of the AVALA family. When a patient comes to see us, our goal is always to help the patient accomplish their therapeutic goal. Frequently, this involves a desire to return to “normal.” Everyone’s “normal” is different, and we understand that.
A PERSONAL APPROACH
At AVALA Spine, we apply a personal approach to treating spine and other neurological disorders. What works for a 35-year-old bodybuilder hoping to return to competition might not be the right approach for a 75-year-old hoping to be able to play with their grandchildren.
Our variety of methods allows for practical non-surgical and surgical techniques for acute (new) or chronic (old) spinal or neurological issues.
When you come to us for evaluation, you may be complaining of back pain, neck pain, or reduced motion, among other symptoms. Many patients we see feel pain because of a muscle strain or degenerating disc (arthritis). You may have arm or leg pain, numbness, or weakness because of pressure on the spinal cord or other nerves running through the spine.
When symptoms start, they can be debilitating and scary for patients and their loved ones. Understandably, patients will have many serious questions when they visit their appointments. A frequent question we get asked consists of motion and the risk of paralysis. Things we see on television or from other sources may lead patients to believe their spinal condition may paralyze them if not treated with surgery.
PARALYSIS IS EXTREMELY RARE
The reality is that paralysis in the context of chronic or long-standing spinal issues is exceedingly rare. Furthermore, in these cases, we would send the patient to the hospital for immediate treatment – rather than schedule an outpatient surgery. If you are told there is a risk of paralysis – you may want to look for a second opinion.
At AVALA Spine, the role of our spine surgeons is to provide our patients with all the information they need to make informed decisions about spine treatments.
Rarely do we push an immediate surgery before offering non-invasive treatments to manage pain. Our priority is to guide patients on a holistic treatment plan, with surgery being the last suggestion in our tool belt to treat your pain. If a spine or neurological issue arises, I hope no patient ever hesitates to see me or any of our experienced spine surgeons at AVALA Spine.
Sometimes, we can treat these issues with rest, bracing, physical therapy, or medications. Once we have tried these methods, our next step may be to offer pain management treatments. This could include injections, nerve ablations, or burning the nerves. These treatments help alleviate the pain while the body tries to heal itself. After all else fails, surgical options can be discussed if they suit the patient.
It is rare for us to offer surgery before trying other avenues first. We call these “red flag” symptoms, which may require more immediate surgical intervention. However, even in these circumstances, we will still do an in-depth imaging review and discuss all treatment options with the patient.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Dealing with these symptoms and treatment options can be brutal and terrifying. Rest assured, this may be your first time experiencing these problems, but the physicians at AVALA Spine are specially trained to address them. Our physicians have years of experience performing surgeries and helping patients get back to enjoying life.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and want to make an appointment, call our office at 985-400-5778 or check out our website at avalaspine.com.
