Over 80% of people experience low back pain (LBP) at some point in their life. It is the second leading cause of disability in the United States. The costs associated with low back pain are estimated to be greater than $100 billion annually. Low back pain episodes are often short-lived, however, can be severe, debilitating, and in some cases, become chronic. Common causes of LBP include herniated discs, radiculopathy (sciatica), degenerative disc disease (internal disc disruption), and facet joint arthritis.

Traditional treatments are aimed at just reducing symptoms; the use of rest, ice, over-the-counter pain relievers, physical therapy, braces, and steroid injections provide temporary relief and may reduce symptoms. These treatments are often band-aids, masking the symptoms and not addressing the underlying condition. If patients do not get the relief they are looking for from these traditional treatments they may opt for surgery, such as spinal fusion. This may lead to chronic pain, advanced degeneration of adjacent segments of the spine, and eventual additional surgery.

Advanced regenerative medicine treatments aim to actually repair injuries and restore function. Minimally invasive techniques with biologics, including platelet-rich plasma, may provide long-lasting relief. These treatments may contribute to the healing of the injured structure and restoring health and function, rather than just providing short-term alleviation of the symptoms.

• A herniated disc
• Annular tear
• Degenerative disc
• Facet joint dysfunction – two joints behind each disc that become arthritic as torn discs collapse
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction – the sacroiliac joint can become painful if it becomes inflamed (sacroiliitis) and may cause back pain
• Spinal stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Osteoarthritis
• Deformity
• Trauma
• Compression fracture(s)
• Infection(s)
• Tumor(s)
• Autoimmune disease(s)

Every patient receives a careful and thorough evaluation before any treatment plans are made. This highly individualized level of care is critical to make the correct diagnosis and pick the best, most effective course of treatment for each patient. This level of care is beyond most busy clinics that treat patients by standard protocols. Our care is personalized and based on a patient’s injury and goals. Don’t just take our word for it, read the reviews for yourself.

At Southwest Spine and Sports, we believe in treating back and neck pain with minimally invasive, regenerative techniques that can treat pain with an eye to the future instead of alleviating pain in the short term. Many of these treatments use your body’s own cells or tissues, thereby avoiding the risks of traditional therapies and making surgery much less likely. Some of the methods we use at our Scottsdale, AZ facility include:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
• Biologic Therapies
• Growth factor injections

To find out more about our treatment methods and to schedule a consultation, please get in touch with our team.

Anatomy of the Spine

Cervical Radiculopathy

Facet Joint Syndrome

Lumbar Radiculopathy (Sciatica)