Joint Medicine – Dr Robert Simons
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DISC HERNIATION IS ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF LOWER BACK PAIN AND SCIATICA

It develops when the spongy cushions in your spine break open or become damaged – resulting in painful symptoms.

UNDERSTANDING DISC HERNIATION

Your spine is comprised of a number of bones, also called vertebrae. Each of these bones is cushioned by a spongy disc, which enables spinal flexibility and absorbs shock. When one of these structures bulges or breaks open, it’s called a herniated disc. A common problem, disc herniation tends to occur due to:

NATURAL WEAR AND TEAR.

As you grow older, your discs naturally lose some of their flexibility and become more susceptible to damage.

SPINAL INJURY

An injury to the spine may result in cracks in the hard outer layer of the disc, which can ultimately cause the structure to bulge or break open.

LIFTING HEAVY OBJECTS

A herniated disc is likely to develop if you use your back muscles to lift heavy objects, instead of your legs.

A herniated disc can occur anywhere along your spine and neck. However, it’s most common in the lower back, or the lumbar spine.

SYMPTOMS

A herniated disc can appear with or without symptoms. When symptoms do appear, it’s typically because the damaged disc is applying abnormal pressure to the nerve roots, causing:

PAIN IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE BODY

If the herniated disc is located in your lower back, you will likely feel the pain in your buttocks, thigh and calves. If it’s located in your neck, the pain can extend into your arm and shoulder.

PAIN THAT WORSENS WITH CERTAIN MOVEMENTS

In many cases, pain from a herniated disc will be exacerbated by changing positions, coughing or sneezing.

NUMBNESS OR A TINGLING SENSATION

A common herniated disc symptom, numbness or tingling will occur in areas of the body that are connected to the affected nerves.

RADIATING PAIN DOWN YOUR LEG

If the sciatic nerve is affected by the herniated disc, you may experience pain that radiates down your leg and foot, also known as sciatica.

DIAGNOSIS

To determine if your symptoms are caused by a herniated disc, our physiatrists will begin with a full physical examination. We’ll talk to you about the symptoms you are experiencing, and we’ll evaluate your back for pain and tender areas. From there, we will have you lie down on your back and move your legs to different positions, which can provide insight into exactly what’s causing your pain.

Frequently we may order an MRI to confirm the location of the herniated disc and obtain a baseline image before treatments, as well as to identify which nerves are involved and monitor progress and healing after treatments.

PREMIER TREATMENT FOR YOUR HERNIATED DISC

As an alternative to traditional steroid treatments, our team is actively researching new non-pharmaceutical approaches that include cell based therapies.

Disclaimer: Our healthcare practitioners use products and perform therapies cleared for general use by the United States Food and Drug Administration, but specific indications for treatment have not be evaluated and reviewed by the FDA. You are encouraged to consult with your primary care physician prior to undergoing a cell therapy.

LIGAMENTS ARE BANDS OF TOUGH, FIBROUS CONNECTIVE TISSUE THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONNECTING BONES, CARTILAGE AND JOINTS TOGETHER.

Although they are inherently strong structures, they are susceptible to tearing from sports injuries and sudden force. On this page, we have outlined three of the most common ligament tears we see at the Orthohealing Center – along with the regenerative approaches we use to repair them.

ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT (ACL) TEAR

The anterior cruciate ligament is a major ligament that works to stabilize the knee joint. Tearing of this critical structure typically occurs during sports that involve aggressive changes in direction, jumping and sudden stops – such as football, tennis, basketball, skiing and gymnastics.
When you sustain an ACL tear, you may experience:

  • A loud “pop”
  • Severe pain
  • An inability to move
  • Swelling
  • sJoint instability

As one of the top facilities for treating knee ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injuries, our expert team will determine whether surgical repair or non-surgical options are best given each personalized case by case evaluation. When left untreated and ACL injury can increase the risk of developing chronic instability and osteoarthritis.

Our team will factor in your specific degree of injury with your functional goals to determine a comprehensive program that may involve biologic injections, a rehabilitation program, or surgery when indicated

In some cases we may include your own human cells during your surgery which may provide further benefit.

ANKLE LIGAMENT TEARS

When an ankle ligament stretches, or partially tears, it’s called an ankle sprain. Depending on the severity and grade of your injury, these tears may cause pain and difficulty walking, or severe tenderness, joint instability or inability to move.

Most ankle sprains heal on their own eventually, but in the meantime, you have to stay off your feet and away from your sport. Often when ligaments heal, it’s not 100%, and they often get progressively lax or stretched causing repeated sprains and tearing. That’s not ideal for most of the Los Angeles and New York patients we treat at the Orthohealing Center. We offer innovative orthobiologic therapies, such as PRP injections, bone marrow cell therapy and prolotherapy as natural approaches along with rehabilitation and home video exercises.

ACHILLES TENDON TEAR

Reaching from the bones in your heel all the way to your calf muscles, the Achilles tendon is what enables you to extend your foot and point your toes. Tears affecting this critical structure tend to develop in runners, dancers, gymnasts, tennis players, and athletes who participate in football, baseball and basketball. When you sustain this type of tear, you may experience a number of uncomfortable symptoms, including:

  • Pain above your heel
  • Swelling
  • Stiffness
  • Tenderness
  • An inability to point your toes

In the past, the only way to treat an Achilles tendon tear was with a custom brace, surgical repair and/or physical therapy for about six months. Fortunately, there are new options and approaches that may be beneficial to your treatment and recovery.

In cases of complete tendon rupture, surgery may be the only option; however, cell therapy may be applied by our team of physicians in the operating room and soaked into the graft for additional support

Disclaimer: Our healthcare practitioners use products and perform therapies cleared for general use by the United States Food and Drug Administration, but specific indications for treatment have not be evaluated and reviewed by the FDA. You are encouraged to consult with your primary care physician prior to undergoing a cell therapy.