Camp Mabry Soldier Opts for Non-Surgical Back Treatment

As we honor our veterans this November, we are reminded of their courage, strength and desire to serve and protect. A fine example of such commitment is Camp Mabry soldier SFC Jon Martinez who faced debilitating and possible career-ending back surgery due to a herniated disc. His dedication to the Army, and his wish to continue serving in the Middle East, led him on a different path to address his back issues.

He chose a non-surgical approach and was treated by Dr. Ai Mukai, an interventional spine and electrodiagnostic medicine specialist at Texas Orthopedics. An epidural steroid injection, couple with intense physical therapy, put this soldier on the road to recovery and the successful completion of several subsequent tours of duty.

Click here to see his story on KVUE.com.

June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month

Scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine, affects about 6 million people in the US. It usually strikes in childhood and adolescence with the average age of diagnosis being about 10 to 15 years old. And most of the time, there's no known cause of scoliosis.

But experts do know this: awareness is key because early diagnosis will treat the curvature early and hopefully stop it from progressing. Most children are screened in school today, so healthcare professionals can look for the following signs and symptoms (According to the Scoliosis Research Society):

• A hump or uneven appearance in the rib cage.
• Any lateral deviation in the spine (asymmetry).
• Shoulders at different heights.
• One hip more prominent than the other.

What steps should you take if you think your child has scoliosis?

According to the Scoliosis Research Society, a lateral spinal curve greater than 25-30 degrees is considered significant. A curve greater than 45 degrees is severe and requires aggressive treatment.

If you think your child may have scoliosis, call or make an appointment online for an evaluation.

One of our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists, Dr. Kenneth Bunch, will perform an exam and order additional imaging tests if an abnormal spine curve is detected.

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