Do You Need Treatment for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- Written by Webmaster Webmaster
- Category: Blogs Blogs
- Published: 24 January 2020 24 January 2020
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the better-known conditions of the peripheral nervous system. Awareness of this issue began to increase in the latter half of the 20th century, as typing, gaming, and the use of cell phones and other digital devices became more and more common, both in the office and in everyday life. The repetitive motions and positionings of operating a phone, computer, etc., combined with the increasingly widespread use of these modern tools, are widely thought to be the main culprits in the rise of CTS in recent decades. These, however, are far from the only potential causes of carpal tunnel syndrome, and researchers are still learning what does and doesn’t cause this condition.
Carpal tunnel is progressive, meaning it gets worse with time. Therefore, it’s crucial to seek diagnosis and treatment for it as soon as possible. A type of repetitive strain (or repetitive stress) injury that causes numbness, tingling, and/or pain in the hand and arm, CTS is caused by the prolonged compression of a major nerve in the hand called the median nerve. This nerve feeds into the wrist, and pressure on it can be extremely problematic. While carpal tunnel surgery can address this condition, we can often address it through nonsurgical means.
If the devices you use in your job or everyday life involve any type of repetitive use of the wrist, arm, or hand that puts pressure on the median nerve, it may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome. These devices may be digital, such as a phone, computer, or gaming controller, or analog, like a screwdriver, sewing needle, or other tool. The pressure of repetitive use can cause swelling, which can in turn put pressure on the median nerve. But it isn’t just behavior that can cause CTS. Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy may trigger similar types of swelling. Genetic factors may also cause the pathway through which the median nerve runs to develop incorrectly, making the path for this crucial nerve narrower than it should be. Furthermore, health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and imbalances of the thyroid gland can also potentially lead to CTS.
Because carpal tunnel syndrome is frequently caused by repetitive movement or positioning, the first course of treatment is usually to completely stop, drastically curtail, or sufficiently alter the causal behavior. If we suspect that typing on your phone or any other device is the main cause of your CTS, for instance, we might initially prescribe some exercises, stretches, and most importantly, altered positioning to target the issue. Often, we’ll use a brace to keep the wrist in a neutral position while the patient performs what we determine to be the causal activity. Other nonsurgical treatments may include corticosteroids and physical therapy.
The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome usually start out minor and get worse over time. This applies to the intensity, duration, and persistence of the symptoms, which may include:
- Tingling, numbness, and pain in the fingers (often sparing the pinky)
- Shock-like sensations in the fingers (again, the pinky is often not affected)
- Pain from the forearm all the way up to the shoulder
- Poor grip and weakness in the hand
As with most conditions we treat, we explore any nonsurgical treatment avenues before performing carpal tunnel surgery. There are several effective nonsurgical interventions for CTS, but when those fail to address the issue, surgery may be the only way to keep the condition from worsening. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms we’ve discussed here, think you may have any other health issue we can help with, or would like a second opinion on an initial brain, spine, or nerve-related diagnosis, please contact Georgia Brain & Spine at 1 (800) GO-SPINE to schedule a consultation today. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates, and come back to the website soon for a new blog.
The Advantages of CyberKnife® Radiosurgery
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- Category: Blogs Blogs
- Published: 21 January 2020 21 January 2020
CyberKnife® Radiosurgery is as advanced and high-tech as its name suggests. A nonsurgical, noninvasive approach to treating both malignant and benign tumors, CyberKnife® Radiosurgery offers a safer, simpler solution that only technology so advanced can achieve. At Georgia Brain & Spine Center, we’ve been offering this treatment option since 2007, and patients are almost always gratified to learn that we can first try a noninvasive approach to treating their condition. Here’s why so many patients choose CyberKnife® Radiosurgery as an alternative to traditional brain or spine surgery:
It's effective.
Many of our patients have experienced the effectiveness of CyberKnife® Radiosurgery, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Clinical studies have shown 85%-92% of patients recovering or significantly improving after undergoing the procedure, and the CyberKnife® has been adopted by more and more neurosurgeons over the past couple of decades. It’s not only effective for treating tumors, but also other conditions such as trigeminal neuralgia.
It's comfortable.
Many technologies similar to CyberKnife® Radiosurgery require the use of immobilization devices, which can be uncomfortable, even anxiety-inducing, for some patients. The CyberKnife® System, however, automatically adjusts to the patient’s movement, eliminating the need for these uncomfortable immobilization devices. Treatment sessions usually take 30 to 90 minutes, have minimal side effects, and are essentially painless.
It's not surgery.
While we neurosurgeons adhere to the highest safety standards and are proud of our high success rates, any surgery always carries some risks. That’s one of the main reasons we always explore nonsurgical treatment methods before recommending surgery. Despite its name, CyberKnife® Radiosurgery isn’t really surgery in the traditional sense. There are no incisions, and there’s virtually no recovery period. CyberKnife® Radiosurgery is generally an outpatient procedure that requires no anesthesia or extended time in a medical facility.
It’s precise.
The CyberKnife® System delivers radiation to the treatment area with precision finer than a millimeter. This means that radiation exposure of healthy tissue areas is minimized.
Ready to find out if CyberKnife® Radiosurgery is right for you? Come see the experts at Georgia Brain & Spine Center, Dr. Elias Dagnew and Dr. Michael Hartman. If you’d like a second opinion on an initial diagnosis or have any questions we might be able to answer, contact Georgia Brain & Spine at 1 (800) GO-SPINE to schedule a consultation today. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates, and come back to the website soon for a new blog.
What Causes Degenerative Disc Disease?
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- Category: Blogs Blogs
- Published: 21 November 2019 21 November 2019
One of the most common medical conditions people develop in their spine is something called degenerative disk disease (DDD). Affecting more than 3 million people per year in the United States alone, DDD can be an effect of habitual behavioral choices, working conditions, or simply aging. Over time, almost everyone’s spinal discs dry out and break down, but some people with degenerative disc disease experience pain and possible neurologic symptoms from this process.
All of your spinal vertebrae are separated by discs that are mostly made of water and different types of collagen. Each disc consists of a soft inner core (nucleus pulposus) and a harder outer wall (annulus fibrosus). Spinal discs act as shock absorbers, both for individual vertebrae and your spine as a whole. Furthermore, they help cushion the vertebrae as the spine bends and twists, providing buffers between individual vertebrae. As they wear down or degenerate, both the shock absorption and cushioning functions become less effective, causing back pain and difficulty with movement. Furthermore, the added stress can cause the ligaments and facet joints in the spine to enlarge, >narrowing the spinal canal and compressing the nerve roots. As the vertebrae rub together, bone spurs can also form.
The outer wall of a spinal disc contains nerves, so damage to those outer walls can cause back pain. We become more susceptible to sustaining small tears and cracks in the outer walls of our spinal discs as we get older, both because of the gradual drying process and the cumulative stress of everyday movements and minor injuries. As cracks form in the discs’ outer walls, the softer core can begin to push through the cracks, potentially causing it to bulge or slip out of place. This is what happens when people develop a herniated or slipped disc.
Degenerative disc disease often causes a sharp or dull pain in the back or neck. However, depending on where the degenerated disc is located, what has caused it, and how it’s affecting the nerves around it, symptoms may manifest in a variety of ways. You may feel pain in your lower back, neck, thighs, buttock area, arms or legs. The pain may be exacerbated by twisting, bending over, lifting something, or simply changing position.
Many people with degenerative disc disease report that walking and/or lying down provides some relief from their back pain, and the pain can range from slightly annoying to severe and debilitating. It can also last for days or months at a time, then seemingly go away on its own—only to recur in the future. Furthermore, DDD can cause numbness and tingling in the sufferer’s arms and legs and/or cause the leg or arm muscles to weaken. This is because damaged disks can impact the nerves near the spine.
Unfortunately, degenerative disc disease cannot be reversed. While we can perform surgical spinal procedures to treat it, we usually reserve surgery as a last resort for severe cases that aren’t responding to nonsurgical treatment methods. Healthy habits such as practicing good posture, developing proper form when engaging in physical activity, and performing certain types of exercise can stave off DDD and lessen its effects. People with this condition can also benefit from targeted physical therapy, medication management, and cortisone injections.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or think you may have any type of brain, spine, or neurological issue, come see the experts at Georgia Brain & Spine Center. If you’d like a second opinion on an initial diagnosis or have any questions we might be able to answer, please contact Georgia Brain & Spine at 1 (800) GO-SPINE to schedule a consultation today. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates, and come back to the website soon for a new blog.
How Can You Prevent Back Pain?
- Written by Webmaster Webmaster
- Category: Blogs Blogs
- Published: 01 November 2019 01 November 2019
Back pain is one of the most common types of pain there is. Back pain can result from injury, age, genetics, overuse, poor posture, or some combination of those variables, and choosing the appropriate treatment depends on a number of factors. Advanced cases may require intensive interventions, while most can be handled through nonsurgical means. Fortunately, there are some habits and behaviors you can adopt to lessen your chances of developing issues with back pain.
Not all degenerative spinal conditions, such as spinal stenosis, can be avoided. Their effects, however, can be alleviated and managed. If you maintain a healthy back, the condition may be less severe and more manageable than it otherwise might be. This means doing exercises aimed at developing good balance, strong back muscles, a strong core, and straight posture. All of these elements are connected and, when in good condition, can work together to help reduce back pain from certain unavoidable conditions of the spine.
Other conditions that cause back pain can be avoided, or at least postponed, through behavioral choices. One of the most common causes of back problems is a type of spinal “wear and tear” called degenerative disc disease (DDD). Between all of your spinal vertebrae are spinal discs that serve to cushion the vertebrae and provide shock absorption for the back as a whole. DDD occurs when these discs wear out over time.
DDD is mainly caused by normal use of the spine. However, there are certain activities that increase the chance of DDD and cause symptoms. Truck drivers, certain athletes, and chronically overweight people comprise just a few categories of people who are more prone to developing DDD than others. There are several other back-pain-causing conditions that can be, at least partially, blamed on behavior. That means there are habits you can adopt and changes you can make to help keep your back strong and healthy:
- Be active. If you have a job or hobby that requires you to sit in the same position for long periods, make an effort to change up your position and get up to walk around every one to two hours. Sitting puts more pressure on your spine than walking does, so you might even consider investing in a standing desk.
- Manage your weight. The heavier you are, the more stress is put on your spine. Over time, this can wear down your spinal discs and joints and cause other problems.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking has been linked to chronic back pain.
- Practice good posture. This keeps your spine properly aligned and helps develop core and upper-back strength.
- Strengthen your core. It’s difficult to overstate the importance of core strength in the prevention and management of back pain. Your core includes your abs, obliques, lower lats, and other muscles primarily in your body’s midsection. A strong core can help with balance and injury prevention and even slow down degenerative conditions.
- Be responsible with high-impact activity. It’s best to avoid potentially injurious activities, but if you do engage in high-impact pursuits, make sure you’re using proper form, wearing any recommended safety gear, and keeping your intensity at a safe and appropriate level.
These are just some of the main ways to make your back stronger and healthier. Your choice of mattress, shoes, diet, and more can also make a big difference. In general, it’s always good to make healthy lifestyle choices, eat right, exercise regularly, and develop strength that’s balanced among all your muscle groups.
If you want more specific health advice on maintaining a healthy spine, brain, or nervous system, think you may have a health issue we can help with, or would like a second opinion on an initial diagnosis, please contact Georgia Brain & Spine at 1 (800) GO-SPINE to schedule a consultation today. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates, and come back to the website soon for a new blog.
What Patients Have Been Saying About Georgia Brain & Spine
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- Category: Blogs Blogs
- Published: 10 October 2019 10 October 2019
At Georgia Brain & Spine Center, we’re proud of the relationships we’ve built with our patients over the years. From our administrative and medical staff to our neurosurgeons, we take every step we can to ensure that our patients have the best experience possible. That’s why it’s so gratifying to hear back from people we’ve helped—it’s truly rewarding to know that our efforts to provide the best care possible have paid off. Our website contains a great deal of information about what we do and why we believe our approach is the best, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Here are a few reviews we’ve received from satisfied patients (see our Georgia Brain & Spine Patient Testimonials page for more):
“It is with great pleasure that I recommend Elias Dagnew, M.D., whom I had the good fortune to have as my surgeon and doctor over the last two years, to anyone seeking a highly qualified neurosurgeon.
It is rare when you find the exceptional skill level of a surgeon of Dr. Dagnew’s caliber who also possesses true compassion and concern for his patients’ wellbeing and ultimate rehabilitation. He displayed a high degree of integrity, responsibility, and dedication by presenting all options available for my specific condition, thoroughly explained each one with clear expectations, risk factors and a comprehensive recovery plan so that I could make an informed decision on my health care options. He personally monitored my improvement in the year that followed my surgery and had a true involvement in my recovery. I am happy to give him my wholehearted endorsement as a both a gifted physician and neurosurgeon."
--David B.
"I was having trouble with my left arm. It was getting so bad I decided to go to a doctor to see what the trouble was.
They did an X-ray and MRI and it showed that the opening in my spine was so small that it was pressing on my spinal cord. They said it could get worse if I didn’t have something done. I decided I needed a second opinion, for this I decided to see Dr. Dagnew. He told me the same thing. I decided to have the surgery because I had a lot of things I wanted to do and couldn’t do much with my arm that way. I chose to have Dr. Dagnew do the surgery. I think Dr. Dagnew did a GREAT JOB!!! His staff was wonderful and all the people at the hospital were fantastic!!! I had my surgery on May 13th and our great grandson was born on that day. I have returned to all my activities. I am able to hold my grandson and if I had not had the surgery I may not have been able to hold him in my arms. I want to thank all of the people involved for what they did for me and the care they gave me and my family. May God bless you all. "
—Anne A.
“Best doctor ever! Dr. Dagnew not only ended 3 years of suffering from a herniated disc, L5/S2, he called and guided me through some tuff periods during my recovery instead of requiring me to come into the office. The office staff is amazing as well. If you’re looking for a truly gifted surgeon and caring staff, this is it ❤️”
—Michelle D.
If you’re a current or former patient of Georgia Brain & Spine Center, we’d love to hear from you. If you’re interested in any of the procedures we perform, think you may have a health issue we can help with, or would like a second opinion on an initial diagnosis, please contact Georgia Brain & Spine at 1 (800) GO-SPINE to schedule a consultation today. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates and to come back to the website next week for a new blog.