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Spine

Our specialty-trained spine doctors at North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic are experts in providing experienced care for patients’ spine injuries and conditions.

Spine doctors have decided to focus on one of the most complex regions of the human body. Not only must they understand how each of the spine’s 33 bones functions but they also must have significant knowledge about all the tissues that surround the spine, support it, and affect it.

Then there is the spinal cord, which is enclosed within the spine. The spinal cord is made up of bundles of nerves that begin in the brain and reach down the spinal column. Spine doctors must understand how to expertly diagnose and treat issues that affect the spinal cord, in addition to the bones and muscles of the spine.

Spine pain can develop for any number of reasons—for instance, if a disc bulges out of place, when the spine itself is deformed, or when bones begin to rub together due to degeneration. For these reasons and many others, it’s important to seek out a doctor who has a depth and breadth of experience dealing with spinal issues.

When It’s Time to Seek Spine Care

Take note of the symptoms you are experiencing and communicate those to your doctor so they will have a better understanding of what may be happening. Here are just some of the symptoms that people with spine problems typically have:

  • Back has hunched appearance
  • Back pain when turning
  • Hard to stand up straight
  • Lower back or buttock pain
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Pain radiating down to the legs
  • Pain when walking or using the back
  • Severe back or neck pain
  • Stiffness
  • Weakness in the arms, hands, or legs
  • Unusual spinal curve in your lower back

If any of these symptoms describe your issue, it’s possible that you may have one of these spinal conditions or injuries:

  • Bulging disc
  • Cauda equina syndrome (CES)
  • Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM)
  • Compression fracture
  • Degenerative spondylolisthesis
  • Herniated or slipped disc
  • Kyphosis
  • Lordosis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Osteoporosis
  • Sciatica
  • Scoliosis
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Thoracic or lumbar spine fracture

Spine pain can have a negative effect on your life, leaving you unable to complete everyday tasks. If the pain and underlying condition remain untreated, there is a risk of further injury or damage occurring, which is why it’s imperative to contact one of our spine specialists and set up a consultation. Call us today at (318) 362-4411 to schedule an appointment or request an appointment online. We have clinics in Monroe, Ruston, and West Monroe, and we also offer rehabilitation services at our Monroe Rehab and West Monroe Rehab facilities.

Our doctors understand that some injuries require immediate attention. If your spine or back pain can’t wait, visit our Orthopaedic After Hours Clinic at our main location in Monroe Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointment is necessary.

Expert Spine Care You Can Trust

Since 1951, our doctors have remained dedicated to providing specialized bone, joint, and muscle care to the communities of northeast Louisiana. They are backed by a knowledgeable and professional staff and are equipped with the latest resources, technology, and tools they need to deliver the very best orthopaedic care to all patients.

At North Louisiana Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Clinic, our board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeons, Dr. Jeffrey Counts and Dr. Stanley Crawford, are experts at understanding the multitude of spine issues that exist and the most appropriate ways to treat them. Our spine surgeons believe in exhausting all conservative treatments first, such as physical therapy or injections, before considering a surgical procedure. However, if our surgeons diagnose your spine damage as severe, they may recommend minimally invasive surgery and will educate you about the process, which includes what you need to consider, how you can prepare for spine surgery, and what you can expect after surgery and during recovery.

Our specialty-trained physical therapist work closely with our spine surgeons and doctors to provide each patient with a personalized treatment plan. Our expert therapists are dedicated to helping all patients return to their daily activities quickly and safely, combining specific activities and exercises in ensuring that patients can restore joint and muscular function, strength, and range of motion.

If you have concerns about your spine, schedule an appointment to talk through your options with one of our expertly trained spine surgeons by calling us at (318) 362-4411 or requesting an appointment online.

Jeffrey R. Counts, D.O.

Fellowship-Trained: Sports Medicine

Stanley D. Crawford, D.O.

Fellowship-Trained: Spine

Conditions

Anatomy of the Spine

The spinal column is the body’s main support structure. Its thirty-three bones, called vertebrae, are divided into five regions: cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and coccygeal.