Arthritis can affect your back, most commonly in the lower neck and back. Pain and stiffness are the main symptoms, although the exact cause may not be known. If you suffer from arthritis in your back, it may be difficult to decide when to seek treatment. Keep reading for some clarification.
Many of us have worked at a computer in an office for many years, and at the moment we may be working from home. Regardless of where you are working, there is no question sitting at a desk all day takes its toll on the spine. Learn how you can overcome the common spinal issues from sitting all day at a desk.
If you have ever had sciatica pain, you know the frustration of trying to relieve that nagging, seemingly elusive shock down the back of your leg. It radiates down the sciatic nerve from your lower back to your hips, buttocks, and leg. Maybe the best way to prevent its return is understanding the common causes of worsening sciatica pain. Continue reading “Common Causes of Worsening Sciatica Pain”→
A collapsed disc of the spine can be quite painful and restrictive of your daily activities, and in many cases can become a chronic problem. If you have recurring back or neck pain, it is helpful to understand the clear causes and symptoms of a collapsed disc so you can seek early treatment from Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center.
Anyone who has ever experienced the jolt of pain doing something mundane like tying their shoes or pulling weeds understands how debilitating lower back pain can be. Once it happens, it can become a chronic problem that prevents you from enjoying life.
Just like many medical procedures, hearing the term “spinal fusion” can immediately cause concern and fear in someone due to the unknown. Instead of taking time to Google horror stories and cause your brain to create all sorts of scenarios, we’ve compiled a few fast facts about spinal fusion that may help ease your mind.
Many assume their back pain to be a regular part of daily life, but it could be something more. There are a variety of specific medical conditions that can affect the back, and cause an individual to experience anything from dull aches to sharp bolts of pain.
An abnormal curve of the spine, resembling an “S” or “C” may be scoliosis, a common musculoskeletal disorder. Scoliosis is especially common in adolescents but can affect adults as well, often for varying reasons.
Because our patients are what keep us growing and succeeding, we understand the value of having a seamless line of communication between all parties. As the only orthopedic practice in Southern Nevada with a dedicated patient advocate, we at Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center have placed emphasis on this area of our business to ensure satisfaction. With Rana Crisostomo leading the way as our Patient Advocate, we are more than certain that our patients are getting the best service possible day in and day out.
Born and raised in Guam, Rana came to Las Vegas in 2002. In 2009 she found herself working with Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center in Medical Assisting, Front Desk Registration, and in the Diagnostic Department. As the years passed, Rana was learning every aspect of the practice from beginning to end in order to help her perfect the practice’s internal “language.” In January of 2012, Rana took over the Patient Advocate role, and hasn’t looked back since.
On a normal day, Rana says the part she enjoys the most is “making the human connection with patients in (her) attempt to help them with their care.” She typically will assist 20 or more patients per week, but volume has never been an issue. As always, Rana puts the patient first, stating “there have been certain patients that stick in my memory, but I look at every patient’s circumstance and ask myself ‘if the person was family–especially my dear grandmother–how best could I help them to a level that I would be satisfied?’”
While there are taxing parts to the job, such as explaining that there may be a substantial wait time before the next available appointment, Rana says that it’s all about learning how to resolve the issues and explain them to patients in a way they understand. “Many patients misunderstand the perceived lack of time that a doctor may spend with them during an appointment is not a personal slight, but rather the doctor’s efficiency gained through their varied experience and training,” she says. With an interest in social work and counseling, it’s no wonder that Rana has perfected the art of patient communication, and we can’t thank her enough for that!
After spending a number of years with the practice, Rana says there are a few things that people should absolutely know about her company. “We are dedicated to our patients’ care and positive outcomes,” she states. “We have treated virtually every kind of orthopedic case, and you are in the best hands possible. Nevada Orthopedic & Spine Center is truly an interdependent and interwoven practice that puts patients first.”
Thank you, Rana, for your continued dedication to our patients!