Pain Management Specialist

Next Generation Orthopedic & Spine Institute

Anthony Owusu, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon & Spine Surgeon located in San Antonio, TX & Spring, TX

Back and neck pain can significantly impair your daily functions and livelihood. Proper diagnosis and treatment from a spine expert like Dr. Anthony Owusu can make all the difference. Dr. Owusu provides both non-invasive and minimally-invasive pain treatments, such as spinal injections, at his Shavano Park, Texas practice. If you're ready to be free from spine-related pain, contact Next Generation Orthopedic & Spine Institute online or over the phone today.

Pain Management Q & A

What causes pain in the neck or back?

The back and neck are comprised of elaborate networks of muscles, nerves, bones, and tissues. Any disruption to the complex, interconnected structures in the back can cause pain.

Usually, one of three circumstances creates pain in those structures: injury, poor body mechanics, or a health condition. Health conditions that can cause pain include:

Spinal fracture
Muscle strain
Herniated disc
Pinched nerve
Spinal stenosis (narrowed spine)
Infection
Tumor

How do you diagnose pain?

First, Dr. Owusu considers your medical history by asking specific questions about your health and the circumstances surrounding your pain. He may also ask about your family health history and past medical procedures to help guide his diagnosis.

Then, Dr. Owusu performs a physical exam. He asks you to perform a variety of standing and lying movements to test your physical function, reflexes, and range of motion. He also observes your gait and spinal curvature.

From there, Dr. Owusu may order labs and diagnostic testing to verify the cause of your pain. This may include X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans.

What treatment options do you offer for pain?

Next Generation Orthopedic & Spine Institute offers a variety of non-invasive or minimally-invasive treatments to help reduce back pain and potentially circumvent surgery. Dr. Owusu starts with conservative treatments like rehabilitative physical therapy before progressing to more invasive techniques.

Injections are one of the most helpful minimally-invasive treatments. Next Generation Orthopedic & Spine Institute performs three types of injections for pain relief: transforaminal injections, epidural injections, and sacroiliac (SI) joint injections.

Transforaminal injections

Transforaminal injections are injections into the epidural space along the spine, particularly near irritated nerve roots. These injections are often effective for the pain associated with herniated discs and stenosis.

Epidural injections

Dr. Owusu offers pain relief with long-lasting steroid injections into the epidural space. Epidural injections help ease the inflammation and swelling that cause pain in the upper, mid, and lower back.

SI joint injections

If your sacroiliac (SI) joint is to blame for your pain, Dr. Owusu may suggest corticosteroid injections in the joint. SI injections provide more focused pain relief for low back pain and sciatica associated with the SI joint.

Although the results from injections are temporary, they may allow you to regain proper function and give you enough mobility to make progress in your rehabilitation program.

If you suffer from back or neck pain, contact Next Generation Orthopedic & Spine Institute online or call to begin the healing process.

What we offer