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Patient S.H.
"It’s like lightening was stabbing me in the back and radiating down my legs.
Of course, my job requires lifting boxes all day, says T.W. Sometimes, I felt
like I was going to lose my breath because of the pain. But I kept taking
ibuprofen, but never really solving the problem. I was miserable. My family
doctor sent me to the Pain Management Center for evaluation and treatment.
"I think it was the most thorough physical I ever had. They started me on a
regimen of nerve blocks with low-impact steroids and exercise. The weight
restrictions they wrote for my employer shifted me to another area where I’m
lifting less heavy loads. The Pain Center has made a huge difference in
alleviating pain and helping me regain mobility and function." |
Patient L.W.
"I’ve had years of back pain, back fusion surgery and spinal arthritis.
Finally, it got to the point I had difficulty walking, bending, and I could I
feel like my quality of life was really not very good. I couldn’t walk 50 feet
without feeling pain. My family doctor referred me to the Pain Management
Center. I had a first series of facet injections in my lower back, which started
to calm things down.
"Now I’m going through my first series of epidural injections in the upper
area of my right leg, and a second epidural nerve block to relieve my lower back
pain. Now, I can walk more than 50% without pain, and on a scale of 100, I’m
feeling 99% pain relief. I decided I was too young to let pain take over my
life. I’m going to be in control, and with the Pain Center’s help, I am not
going to hurt forever." |
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 | | Patients of Sam Morkos,
M.D., anesthesiologist and Pain Management Center specialist, receive
epidural nerve blocks for pain in areas where they are experiencing pain
with function. The procedure is guided by fluoroscopy, so the insert of
the block can be seen on the computer screen. The procedure takes less
than 45 minutes. When each patient left, they were already experiencing
significant pain relief. |
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More Pain Center success stories... |
S.H. had a pulsed radiofrequency rhizotomy that stunned the
affected nerve in her back. She had relief for about six months. Then,
numbness and swelling began. She was unable to lie on her back, or do any
daily living activities. Her pain level went from a 2 or 3 to a constant
9-10. "It was no quality of life, I can tell you," she says.
She was referred to Bay’s Pain Management Center. After just one nerve
block treatment to the affected facet joint, her pain level decreased to a
‘5.’ Back for the second nerve block injection. She says: "I’m optimistic
now that the pain is starting to decrease. The numbness and swelling have
nearly gone away. I’ve had excellent treatment at the Pain Management
Center. I had some apprehension about putting a needle in my back. I
didn’t need to worry. The staff tell you exactly what’s going to happen,
and I know I will feel better when I leave." | |
J.F. knew he needed help more help lifting an 800-pound box off a
truck. That occurred to him right after he slammed into the back wall, and
felt a sharp, stabbing pain. He’d used his back without problem for 35+
years, and he’d always been active in football, hunting and fishing. So,
he put up with the pain for two weeks until it brought tears to his eyes.
An MRI showed a herniated disc.
Bay’s Pain Center is doing nerve blocks, combined with 6-8 weeks of
physical therapy, to strengthen his back, sufficient that he can return to
work. J.F. says: "I didn’t think the nerve blocks would help, but they’ve
been a lifesaver. I don’t think I could be doing nearly as well in
physical therapy without these folks. They hit the areas of pain every
time, and I leave, feeling like I have a life
again." |
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| | | photo top left: Screen view of the needle moving toward the area where the nerve block will be administered.
photo top right; Dr. Zaman makes a small adjustment before administering a nerve block to relieve J.F.'s herniated disc.
photo bottom left; The patient feels a slight poke because of local anesthesia. The entire pain management procedure lasts about an hour, and the patient leaves feeling relief. |
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