Injuries we commonly evaluate
- Car and truck accidents: whiplash-type neck pain, back pain, headaches that start in the neck, and pain that travels into an arm or leg
- Work injuries: lifting, twisting, and repetitive-strain injuries to the back, neck, and shoulders
- Slips and falls: back, hip, knee, and shoulder pain after a fall
- Sports and recreation injuries: joint, tendon, and muscle pain that is not settling down
- Flare-ups of an existing problem: when an injury makes arthritis, a disc problem, or older back pain worse
How we evaluate injury-related pain
Pain after an injury can come from muscles, joints, discs, or nerves, and often more than one at once. Your visit includes a detailed history of how you were hurt and how your symptoms have changed since, a physical and neurological exam, and a review of any emergency-room records, X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs you already have. If more information is needed, we may recommend imaging or other tests.
Your findings, diagnosis, and treatment are documented in your medical record. With your written authorization, records can be released to your other doctors, your insurer, or your attorney.
Treatment options
Treatment depends on your diagnosis and your goals. Many people start with home exercise or physical therapy and medication adjustments. When pain persists, image-guided options may include:
- Trigger point injections for tight, painful muscle knots after a strain
- Epidural steroid injections for pain that travels into an arm or leg
- Facet injections and medial branch blocks for joint-related neck and back pain
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) when diagnostic blocks confirm a joint-related pain source
- Joint injections for the shoulder, knee, or hip
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint injections for low back and buttock pain
Recovery after an injury varies from person to person, and no treatment works for everyone. Your provider will explain the benefits, risks, and alternatives of each option before you decide.
What to bring to your first visit
- A photo ID and your insurance card(s)
- Any emergency-room or urgent-care paperwork, and imaging reports or discs
- A list of your medications, including blood thinners
- If your visit is related to a claim: the date of injury, the claim number, and the adjuster's or case manager's contact information
Insurance and claims
How injury care is billed depends on your situation, for example health insurance, auto insurance, or a work-injury claim. Please call (318) 855-3291 before your visit so our staff can explain what applies to you.
Injury care for West Monroe, Monroe & Ouachita Parish
Our office is at 1324 N 7th Street in West Monroe, a short drive across the Ouachita River from Monroe, and we see patients from across Ouachita Parish and Northeast Louisiana. If you are still hurting weeks after an accident or injury, schedule a consultation or call (318) 855-3291. Office hours are Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–5:00 PM and Friday 8:30 AM–12:00 PM.
Risks
All procedures carry some risk. Depending on the treatment, possible risks can include soreness or bruising where the needle was placed, bleeding, infection, a temporary rise in pain, allergic reaction to a medication, and, rarely, nerve injury. If a steroid is used, some people notice short-term flushing, trouble sleeping, or higher blood sugar. Your provider will go over the specific risks, benefits, and alternatives for your situation before you decide.
Exercises you can do at home
Staying active is an important part of most recovery plans. See our neck (cervical) exercises, low back (lumbar) exercises, and shoulder exercises for gentle options in lying, seated, and standing positions. Please ask your provider before starting, especially soon after an injury.
This page is for general education and is not a substitute for an evaluation by a medical professional. Results vary, and no treatment works for everyone. Your provider will discuss whether this option is appropriate for you, along with its benefits, risks, and alternatives. Insurance coverage varies by plan — please call to verify.