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Community Corner

Find relief for back/leg pain

According to the National Institute of Health Statistics, Americans most commonly suffer from chronic back pain. Unfortunately chronic back pain not only is felt in the lower back, but can also extend into the legs. A number of injuries or spinal conditions like, lumbar spinal stenosis, can trigger chronic back and leg pain. To help understand the causes and treatments of this type of pain, Silver Cross Hospital is offering a free program in May.

 

Join Dr. Thomas Hurley, neurosurgeon, to learn about new non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments available to relieve back and leg pain and treat lumbar spinal stenosis. This free lecture - Leg & Back Pain - will be held on Tuesday, May 13 in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., Pavilion A, New Lenox at 6:30 p.m.  All participants will receive a GIFT BAG which includes a complimentary joint and back screening performed by a physical medicine and rehabilitation physician from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross, and other items to help you stay active ($125 Value). Register to attend at www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325).

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Symptoms of Back and Leg Pain

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Symptoms of chronic back and leg pain can range from mildly uncomfortable to totally disabling.  You may have chronic pain if your pain has lasted more than 6 months. When you suffer from back and leg pain, you may feel a sharp pain, or a dull ache; and affected areas may feel tender and the pain may increase with movement.

 

“A common cause of back and leg pain is a condition known as spinal stenosis,” said Dr. Thomas Hurley, neurosurgeon, who is on staff at Silver Cross Hospital. “Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal causing pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerves. These changes might create minor aches in some patients, although in more severe cases, the pain can significantly impact a person's quality of life. So to avoid the pain from getting worse, patients need to seek medical attention.”

 

How Is Spinal Stenosis Treated?

Spinal stenosis can be treated several ways. Treatment options include:

Changes in posture. People with spinal stenosis may find that flexing the spine by leaning forward while walking relieves their symptoms.

 

Medications. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen may help relieve symptoms.

 

Rest. Rest, followed by a gradual resumption of activity, can help. Aerobic activity such as bicycling is often recommended.

 

Surgery. If other treatments do not ease the pain, surgery may be recommended to relieve the pressure on affected nerves.

 

“The best way to develop a treatment plan is to diagnose the severity of Spinal Stenosis. With so many innovative treatments available today, patients can learn the best options with a physician visit,” says Dr. Hurley.

 

About Dr. Thomas Hurley

Thomas Hurley, M.D., earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago. He remained at Rush for his residency training in neurological surgery. He joined Silver Cross Hospital in 1996 as a founding member and medical director of the CINN Institute of Spinal Care. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Hurley treats a wide range of nervous system conditions. He is an authority in the care of patients with traumatic spine disorders, specializing in complex fusion and minimally invasive procedures. Dr. Hurley has been recognized as one of the “Top Docs” at Silver Cross Hospital for outstanding patient satisfaction. 

 

About the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) have teamed up to expand post-acute physical medicine and rehabilitation services in Will County and the southwest Chicagoland communities. The partnership provides world-class rehabilitation care for a range of conditions for patients close to home. Silver Cross is the only healthcare facility in the area with this breadth of services in partnership with RIC. Together, Silver Cross and RIC provide rehabilitation services in inpatient and outpatient care settings at four locations. Additionally, the RIC team provides physical therapy services for patients on the hospital’s medical and surgical floors. For more information about RIC at Silver Cross, call (815) 300-7110 or visit www.silvercross.org.

 

About Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital is a not-for-profit health care provider serving Will County and southwest suburban communities since 1895. Silver Cross has been recognized as a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospitals National Award winner for seven consecutive years and as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers. With over 3,000 employees, physicians and volunteers, Silver Cross operates a 289-bed acute care hospital and 5 satellite facilities providing outpatient services and physician offices. Silver Cross opened a state-of-the-art replacement hospital on February 26, 2012 at I-355 and Route 6 in New Lenox. In 2013, Silver Cross provided over $48 million in charity care and other community benefits. To learn more about Silver Cross Hospital or a referral to a physician on staff, visit http://www.silvercross.org/ or call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325). Physicians on Silver Cross Hospital’s Medical Staff have expertise in their areas of practice to meet the needs of patients seeking their care.  These physicians are independent practitioners on the Medical Staff and are not the agents or employees of Silver Cross Hospital. They treat patients based upon their independent medical judgment and they bill patients separately for their services.

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