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Back Pain Specialist

Andrew M Cash, MD -  - Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

Desert Institute of Spine Care

Andrew M Cash, MD

Orthopedic Spine Surgeon located in Las Vegas, NV

Most people have at least one round of back pain in their lives. Unfortunately, one bout turns into chronic low back pain for about 20% of them. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and spine specialist, Andrew Cash, MD, at Desert Institute of Spine Care has extensive experience relieving back pain and helping patients return to an active lifestyle. Dr. Cash begins your care with nonsurgical treatments and recommends surgery only if your pain doesn't improve. If you need back pain relief, call the office in Las Vegas, Nevada, or book an appointment online today.

Back Pain Q & A

What causes back pain?

You can end up with back pain from an athletic injury or when you pull a muscle during your everyday activities. However, overuse injuries account for more painful back problems than sudden injuries.

Overuse injuries develop slowly when you regularly repeat the same movements. The ongoing stress leads to small tears in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons supporting your spine. Over time, these small tears get worse and become inflamed.

As you get older, degenerative problems can develop, leading to conditions such as:

  • Facet joint arthritis
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Herniated discs
  • Slipped vertebrae (spondylolisthesis)
  • Degenerative disc disease

Problems in the sacroiliac joint, which connects the base of your spine to your hip, also cause lower back pain.

What symptoms accompany back pain?

You can have different types of back pain, depending on the underlying cause. You could experience sharp, stabbing pain or a dull ache. Your pain may be constant or come and go.

Many people also have limited back movement. Additionally, the stress on your spine may lead to painful muscle spasms.

When the underlying condition pinches spinal nerves, you may have pain, tingling, and burning sensations that shoot down one or both legs. In severe cases, leg numbness or muscle weakness can develop.

These nerve-related symptoms are commonly known as sciatica. However, the condition is formally called lumbar radiculopathy.

How is back pain treated?

Dr. Cash always begins with nonsurgical treatments. You may need to temporarily avoid certain activities, take anti-inflammatory medications, and receive one of the following:

Physical therapy and chiropractic care

Both treatments use a wide range of techniques to promote healing, reduce inflammation, strengthen your back, and realign your spine. Many patients find that their back pain improves. If it doesn't, Dr. Cash recommends therapeutic injections.

Therapeutic injections

Dr. Cash performs several types of pain-relieving injections, depending on the cause of your back pain. For example, an epidural steroid injection targets the injured nerves with an injection that reduces inflammation.

Spinal surgery

If you still have back pain after nonsurgical treatments, you may need to consider surgery. Dr. Cash recommends the best procedure for treating the underlying spine problem. He may remove part or all of the disc or take out part of the bone to decompress the nerve, to give you two examples. 

You can get relief from back pain with treatment at Desert Institute of Spine Care. Schedule an appointment today by calling or using the online booking feature.

References:

Low back pain, https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/low-back-pain/

Back pain, https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Low-Back-Pain-Fact-Sheet