CHRISTUS Southeast Texas - LiveWell

Ian Angel, M.D. When Cheryl Bryant, a 67-year-old retired Beaumont resident, couldn't exercise anymore due to back pain, she decided to call in the professionals. "After living with excessive back pain for years, my entire life was coming to a halt," Cheryl says. "I previously visited another hospital in the area and received steroid injections. They didn't help, and the pain eventually worked into my left leg, numbing it about once a week." FINDING THE ANSWER After the nonsurgical solution failed, Cheryl's hope dwindled. That is, until she attended one of the free CHRISTUS LiveWell seminars about spine health presented by Ian Angel, M.D., board-certified neurosurgeon with CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Spine Center and Golden Triangle Neurocare. "I want patients to know that although nonsurgical treatments can be beneficial, other viable procedures may help patients with spinal stenosis — a condition in which the spinal canal becomes cramped, resulting in tightness and intense pain," Dr. Angel says. "Encouraged by what she heard at the seminar, Cheryl decided to visit my office, and after comparing her MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] results with those taken eight months prior, I knew surgery was the answer." STRATEGIZING FOR SUCCESS Cheryl had her spinal surgery and was impressed not only with results, but also with the entire surgical team. "Dr. Angel thought of everything, even making sure I had potential backups for all of my medications in case the first ones didn't work for me," Cheryl says. "The nurse navigator gave me a recovery road map and ensured I understood every step along the way, which alleviated my stress and brought me peace throughout the process." Cheryl followed her plan of care and allowed her back and body time to rest. Within two months, she started slowly easing her way into more strenuous activity. "Surgery gave me my life back," Cheryl says. "Now my husband and I can go on walks again and ride bikes around the park — thanks to Dr. Angel and his team." Experiencing back pain? Call (866) 683-3627 and schedule an appointment with one of our neurosurgeons. Track Get Your Back on Surgical solutions may be the answer to chronic back pain. A neurological condition that directly impacts spinal health, spinal stenosis becomes more of a risk with age. Although patients dealing with osteoarthritis are common candidates, other causes of spinal stenosis include: • previous spine injuries • scoliosis • tumors or spine defects "As this condition settles in your spine, other parts of the body are affected," says Ian Angel, M.D., board-certified neurosurgeon with CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Spine Center and Golden Triangle Neurocare. "If you experience extreme cramping in your legs and feet, as well as in your back, you should see a specialist." Spinal Stenosis: An Inside Look Cheryl and William Bryant LiveWell | Winter 2016 3

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