Back Pain Specialist

What is back pain?

Back pain refers to any discomfort you feel in your back. The pain may range from a dull ache to sharp, shooting pain that affects your mobility.

Back pain is a common pain condition and one of the most frequent reasons people visit their doctor.

What causes back pain?

There are many conditions that cause back pain. At Permian Basin Pain Management, Dr. McGehee specializes in treating back pain from: 

Herniated disc

Between each bone of the spine (vertebral body), lies a disc. A disc is composed of the outer ring, the annulus, and the soft gel-like inner core, the nucleus. Think of a jelly filled donut when you think of a disc. 

An acute injury or degeneration can cause the nucleus to protrude (herniate) out into the spinal canal. This herniated disc material can in turn rub on or pinch a nerve root as it is exiting the spinal canal. 

The most common symptoms occurring from this include burning, tingling and numbness wherever that nerve travels. Sharp pain and muscle weakness are generally signs of a herniated disc. 

If the herniated disc is located in your neck, you may experience symptoms in your arm all the way down to your fingers. If the disc herniation is in your low back, the pain can radiate or run all the way down your leg to as far as the foot. A herniated disc can also be commonly referred to as a disc protrusion or slipped disc.

Sciatica

Sciatica describes symptoms of pain or numbness that radiates along the sciatic nerve (this is a large nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg). It actually is composed of several different nerve roots originating in the lumbar spine so an MRI is helpful to determine the cause of the sciatica.

Spinal stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a condition in which your spinal canal narrows, most commonly due to long standing degeneration. This can potentially cause back pain as well as other nerve-related problems (sciatica and weakness).

Spinal Arthritis and Spondylosis

Spondylosis is a common degenerative condition associated with aging. This condition can affect the neck, mid-back, and lower back. Spinal arthritis is a form of spondylosis that affects the spine’s facet joints.

Post-laminectomy syndrome

In order to reduce or eliminate chronic back or leg pain due to spinal nerve compression, spine surgeons often perform back surgery. When this surgery fails or falls short of the desired outcomes, the result is known as Post-Laminectomy Syndrome or Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a condition that causes a sideways curvature of the spine. While scoliosis can affect any part of the spine, the chest and lower back regions are most often affected.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis occurs when the bones of the body (usually hips and spine) lose their bone minerals and fail to make more and replenish it. Thus, the bone density is decreased and patients are susceptible to fractures. This bone disease typically occurs due to hormonal changes or nutrient/vitamin deficiency.

Spinal Compression Fracture

Often caused by osteoporosis, spinal compression fractures are caused by one or more bones in the spine weakening and ultimately crumbling on itself.

Sacroiliac joint pain 

The sacroiliac joint, also known as the SI joint, is the joint between the sacrum and the ilium bones of the pelvis. The spine is supported by the sacrum and the sacrum is supported in turn by an ilium on each side. It typically becomes inflamed due to arthritis if walking mechanics are altered.

How is back pain treated?

Dr. McGehee takes a conservative approach to interventional pain management and develops individualized treatment plans based on the underlying cause of your back pain. Some of the treatment options available at Permian Basin Pain Management include:

• Epidural joint injections
• Facet joint injections
• Selective nerve root block
• Medial branch nerve block
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Spinal cord stimulation
• Kyphoplasty

As an interventional pain management expert, Dr. McGehee uses his training and experience to design a plan that provides the safest and most effective relief from your back pain.

For expert management of back pain, call Permian Basin Pain Management today.