Make Pain a Thing of the Past – sacrum pain – Physician Partners of America

Tag Archive for: sacrum pain

PPOA Patient Care Champions – Laverna Cole

LAVERNA COLE – INSTRUMENT TECH, TEXAS

Our employees are all patient care champions, but some go the extra mile and we want to give them the recognition they deserve. They embody the PPOA values known as S.I.T.E. – Safety, Integrity, Teamwork, Empathy – which informs our service to patients and the community through high quality health care.

Laverna Cole is an instrument technician at PPOA’s Precinct Ambulatory Surgery Center in Hurst, Texas. For her, it’s more than just a place to work; in many ways, it’s been her her home for more than a decade.

A native of Brownwood, Texas, Cole traveled the world as an “Air Force brat” but returned to West Texas roots after getting her certifications in Oklahoma.

She attended Oklahoma State University for a PCA (Patient Care Assistant) certification. She then attended Foster Estes Vocational School for her Nurse Assistant II certification. She has held several positions in the region, including Baylor Medical Center of Grapevine for 10 years and Specialty Surgery Center for 12 – until it was acquired by Physician Partners of America in 2013. “I’ve been at the same location for 14 years,” she says.

It shows in her command of the place and the way she greets everyone as if she was her own home. Doctors performing surgeries get a hug – or ask for one if she’s distracted. Patients get hugs too, or a gentle touch, and always kind words.

“My grandmother was a nurse and told me, ‘If people don’t walk out different from when they walked in, I’ve only done half my job,’ Cole says. “If I can give them a pat on the back or a hug, it can change their attitude.”  That’s especially important when a patient is facing surgery.

Cole’s grandmother and mother were nurses, as well, which may help explain her caring heart. “I’m a people person,” she says. “But you have to have a heart to be a nurse.” She enjoys helping out her coworkers at the surgery center, pitching in wherever help is needed.

Her supervisor, April Hansard, says Cole is invaluable to the team. “Since I have arrive at Precinct Ambulatory Surgery Center, Laverna has made me feel like family,” Hansard says. “She is very well liked at the facility and goes out of her way to assist when needed.”

Cole is the mother of four grown sons and a grandmother of three. When she’s not working she enjoys going to church, walking six miles every other day, swimming, baseball and tennis. She also loves jazz and theater.

 

 

/by

The Anatomy of Sacrum Pain

When people refer to sacrum pain, they are usually talking about pain that affects the sacroiliac (SI) joint in the spine. The sacrum is a triangular bone at the very bottom of the spine, formed by five fused vertebrae. On either side of the sacrum are two wing-like bones that join via strong ligaments with the iliac bones of the pelvis. Unlike the other vertebrae of the spine that are connected by flexible discs, the sacrum itself and the SI joint have very little motion and flexibility. Instead, their primary roles are to support the spine and absorb shock.

Sacrum Pain Symptoms

Just like the other joints in the body, the SI joint can degenerate over time. The ligaments around the joint can stiffen, or they can develop tears and loosen the joint too much. Either scenario can cause the joint cartilage to wear away, leading to the sacral and iliac bones rubbing together and causing pain. This is also a synovial joint, which means it is filled with a lubricant called synovial fluid. Over time, the synovial fluid may become inflamed and cause further discomfort.

Sacrum pain caused by SI joint dysfunction can take many forms. Symptoms can include:

  • Groin pain
  • Muscle weakness in the legs
  • Pain in the lower back
  • Pain when moving standing after sitting for a long period of time
  • Pain when standing for long periods of time
  • Radiating pain in the hips, buttocks, and legs
  • Tingling or pins-and-needles sensations in the lower extremities

Treatment for Sacrum Pain in Tampa, Florida

Some of the most common causes of sacrum pain include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis, but the condition can also develop due to occupational injuries, auto accident injuries, and other activities that put repeated stress on the SI Joint. If you think you may be suffering from sacrum pain due to SI joint dysfunction, turn to the professionals at Physician Partners of America in Tampa.

Our team of pain specialists has extensive experience treating chronic pain using nonsurgical and minimally invasive methods so that you can get back to living the life you enjoyed before sacrum pain took over. At Physician Partners of America, we believe that all patients experience pain differently, which is why we take the time to understand your symptoms and ask questions about the pain relief techniques you’ve tried in the past. By getting to know you, the patient, we can then create a completely customized pain management plan that fits your unique needs.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment with a pain specialist in Tampa, Florida

/by