What is TCSC? - A Center of Excellence
Texas Comprehensive Spine Center offers a comprehensive approach to back and neck pain. At TCSC, we have assembled a team of orthopedic surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, exercise therapists and pain experts to offer a comprehensive, one-stop treatment facility. Our team approach to health care ranges from treating simple back or neck strains to the most complex spine surgery. Patient education is vital to reaching the best possible outcome for our patients. Our team of healthcare professionals spends time with each patient so that they understand diagnostic testing, treatment options available, both surgical and non-surgical, and rehabilitation.
Who Gets Back Pain?
Everybody gets back pain at some point in their life. $80 Billion is spent each year on Back Pain. It is the 2nd most common cause for missed work. Back Pain accounts for 33 million doctor visits per year and over 600,000 annual hospitalizations. You are not alone!
Articles
Please choose from the below links to read articles relating to TCSC at AOA.
Spine Surgery: Dr. Eric Wieser performs minimally invasive spine surgeries at AMH
09/03/05
Interactive Videos
Procedural Animations -
View informative animations that illustrate spinal conditions and the
procedures that can be done to correct them. Animations are meant to give
an idea and not to be relied upon for...
Diagnostic Testing
Texas Comprehensive Spine Center provides diagnostic testing and treatment in one place, thus eliminating the need for multiple referrals. In order to determine a correct diagnosis, you may encounter several diagnostics including X-Rays, Bone Density Scans, and MRIs.
X-Rays are the most common and widely available diagnostic imaging technique. X-ray machines briefly send electromagnetic waves through you body, exposing the film to reflect your internal structure. Your physician may order x-rays to detect possible fractured vertebrae or a narrowing of the disc space, however, x-rays are of limited value to muscle related back pain cases.
Bone Density Scans are measurements of the amount of bone in a particular site, usually the lower part of the spine, the hip, the forearm or the heel. The scan allows for the early detection of osteoporosis and bone loss. Most scanning machines use narrow beams of x-rays but some use ultrasound instead. The energy of x-ray beams that are passed through bones is absorbed, and what is not absorbed is detected on the other side of the body. The more dense the bones (from greater mineral content), the more energy is absorbed, and the less energy detected. Early detection of osteoporosis through a bone density scan can allow for appropriate treatment and prevention of unwanted pain and suffering.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is another modern diagnostic imaging technique that produces cross-sectional images of your body. Unlike Bone Density Scans, MRI works without radiation. The MRI tool uses magnetic fields and a sophisticated computer to take high-resolution pictures of your bones and soft tissues. Tell your doctor if you have implants, metal clips or other metal objects in your body before you undergo an MRI scan. An MRI may help your doctor to diagnose herniated disks, hip and pelvic problems and other problems. An MRI may take 30-90 minutes.