Make Pain a Thing of the Past – facet joint disease – Physician Partners of America

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Laser Spine Procedures Available in Frisco TX

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Dr. Prasad Lakshminarasimhiah may have an unfamiliar last name, but his longtime patients in Frisco, TX, have no trouble saying how they feel about his approach to pain medicine.

He earns a 4.7 out of 5 stars on all the major review sites with such comments as:

“Very professional and caring!”

“He listens and cares about your pain.”

“The best pain management doctor in the DFW area.”

“Dr. P. has a great sense of humor to help alleviate your concerns.”

“I recommend him without reservation.”

Dr. Prasad is board-certified in Pain Medicine and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. A U.S. Army veteran, his interest in pursuing pain medicine was sparked by caring for injured soldiers at the San Antonio Military Medical Center in Texas.

His approach is comprehensive, evidence-based and devoted to using the most cutting-edge approaches. That is one reason he has embraced laser techniques in his practice.

Laser Spine Procedures in Frisco

The laser is the latest tool used by Physician Partners of America to relieve neck and back pain without opioids. It precisely targets pain-causing nerves along the spine and ablates them quickly. The incision is just 2-3 mm. – less than a quarter-inch. That means muscles and tissue are not cut or torn, and recuperation is measured in days, not months. You walk out after the procedure and, for most people, the pain is gone.

Dr. Prasad performs this procedure for two common debilitating conditions: arthritis of the spine and facet disease.  His office takes Medicare and most insurance. You can be sure he will explain all your options, from conservative to cutting-edge, and do his utmost to get you back to doing the things you love.

Make an appointment today to see Dr. Prasad in our Frisco pain relief clinic today! Call 972-737-PPOA (7762) or visit ppoafrisco.com to learn about laser pain procedures near you.

 

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What is Facet Joint Disease and How Can a Laser Treat It?

Minimally invasive procedures offer hope for facet arthritis

Facet joint disease is one of the most common back pain problems and is often age-related. It can cause a range of issues from mild discomfort to throbbing pain. For patients who have not achieved results through conservative treatment, minimally invasive laser spine procedures can make a big difference in quality of life.

“The laser is an amazing tool for targeting the nerves that cause pain. It offers great precision and longer lasting results,” says Dr. James St. Louis, director of PPOA’s Minimally Invasive Group.

What are facet joints?

These joints are found on both sides of every vertebra (bone) in the spine. They not only stabilize and hold the spine together; they make it possible for your back to twist. Facets are lined with cartilage that acts as a shock absorber and maintains smooth movement between the vertebrae.

Facet joint disease happens when the joints degenerate to the point where the nerves that exit them are impinged. This can happen by the normal wear and tear as we get older – in short, spine arthritis. These joints can also be damaged through trauma, disease and obesity.

Symptoms of facet arthritis

The condition adds pressure to the nearby nerves and can result in swelling and inflammation. If this occurs in the upper part of the back, it will usually cause pain in the head, neck or shoulders. If it occurs in the mid to lower spine, it can cause radiating pain in the lower back, buttocks or legs. Left to progress, it may cause bone spurs, cysts or thickened ligaments.

This condition goes by different names: facet syndrome, facet arthritis, facet hypertrophy and spinal osteoarthritis. By any name, it should be evaluated and treated if it is causing symptoms. Left to progress, it can cause bone spurs, cysts or thickened ligaments.

Laser spine treatment of facet disease

The laser treats pain-causing nerves with less disturbance to muscle and tissue than other techniques. The result is less trauma to the body and a faster recovery. Our surgeons make a 2-3 mm. incision at the treatment site. A very narrow tube, about the width of a needle, is inserted and guided by live x-ray to the treatment area.  The laser is then threaded through the tube and used to ablate the nerve that is being compressed.

When to seek help for facet syndrome

We should point out that some people with facet joint disease never experience pain; in fact, they are surprised to learn they have this disorder. In others, mild symptoms can be treated with rest, physical therapy, heat therapy and anti-inflammatory medication.

On the other end of the spectrum are people who live with excruciating pain every day. For those whose quality of life is affected, minimally invasive laser spine procedures can in some cases provide instant relief.

A diagnosis from a Physician Partners of America board certified pain management physician or spine specialist can tell you how severe your particular case is and how it should be treated.

For more information about facet joint disease and treatment options, please contact our minimally invasive laser spine specialists at 855-25-LASER.

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