Julie Locklear has walked with pain her entire life.
“I was born with a clubbed foot. It was corrected through surgery when I was seven years old, but it continued to give me problems throughout my childhood. About the time I was graduating from high school, the pain became too much,” says Julie.
Julie underwent an extensive surgery on her left ankle to ease the pain; however, the surgery debilitated her foot and left her limping for years after.
“I was never able to walk properly,” she adds. “I had a terrible limp. Years of walking improperly caused the back of my left calf to be remarkably shorter than the right, which threw everything out of alignment and caused more pain.”
Julie’s luck turned around during a work assignment in the summer of 2009.
“I was filling in for a friend at a law office and overhead some people in the office talking about Dr. Crespo and a procedure called Manipulation Under Anesthesia, or MUA. They raved about it, so I decided to give them a call. I was willing to try anything to get rid of my pain.”
A solution for chronic pain
Luis E. Crespo, MD, of Crespo and Associates, recalls, “Julie first came to me with severe pain in her left calf. She had a lot of stiffness as a result of walking improperly for over twenty years. We began with an exam and a nerve conduction study to test where her sensitivities were located. We also watched her gait. Based on her results, I suggested MUA.”
Julie confides, “I had never heard of MUA before, but Dr. Crespo took the time to explain the procedure to me, to where I wasn’t even hesitant about it. I did some online research about MUA, and the results kept pointing me to having it done. I really was willing to try anything for my pain, but Dr. Crespo did a great job in making me feel comfortable about it.”
Julie says she was scheduled for the MUA procedure and that it was “the best thing that ever could have happened” to her.
About MUA
“I’m pleased to offer patients like Julie an alternative to traditional management of chronic pain,” says Dr. Crespo. “MUA is a safe, effective procedure that addresses not only pain from scar tissue, but also pain from bulging or protruding spinal discs, failed back surgery, fibromyalgia, unresponsive muscle contractures, and chronic neuromusculoskeletal conditions.
“In many cases, MUA can return patients to normal activity levels and a restored quality of life without medication or invasive surgeries.”
Generally, more conservative methods for pain relief are considered before a recommendation for MUA is made, such as physical therapy, chiropractic manipulations, or medication.
“MUA is particularly helpful, however, for patients whose chronic pain has been unresponsive to conventional treatment,” says Dr. Crespo, “and it’s also an effective treatment for some cases of acute pain.”
Manipulation Under Anesthesia makes use of short-lever manipulations, passive stretching, and defined articular and postural kinesthetic maneuvers. These manipulations target fibrous adhesions and scar tissue in the spine, surrounding tissue, and other joints.
Manipulations are performed only by physicians trained in the use of MUA, supported by a team that includes an anesthesiologist and surgical staff trained in the technique.
“I perform MUA in my office-based surgery center,” Dr. Crespo assures, “where a board-certified anesthesiologist places the patient under ‘twilight’ sedation and monitors blood oxygen levels and heart function throughout the procedure and subsequent recovery.”
During the procedure, Dr. Crespo is able to manipulate the joints and work through the scar tissue. The treatment is repeated for three consecutive days to ensure the greatest possible results.
“For area physicians seeking to offer their patients effective, non-surgical treatment of chronic – and, in some cases, acute – pain, Manipulation Under Anesthesia is an excellent choice, and I welcome the opportunity to share the amazing changes MUA has made in people’s lives.”
Amazing results
Julie marvels, “For the first time in my life, I am able to walk normally without pain. During the three treatment days, I had a little soreness, but the rehabilitation at Crespo and Associates was excellent and the discomfort was minimal.
“I used to be in terrible agony walking,” she adds. “Pain is something I’d gotten used to and accepted over the years. I told my husband I never could have imagined I would
ever
be able to walk normally without pain. But I’ve seen such a dramatic improvement.”
Julie says Dr. Crespo and his team instructed her on how to continue doing stretches at home to keep her calf limber and pain free. She continues to do traditional physical therapy at Crespo and Associates every couple of weeks, and now enjoys taking her dogs on long walks and “finally living a life without pain. I highly recommend it. I’ve never met anybody who’s had the issues I’ve had and I’ve also never met anybody who was able to give me the ability to walk without pain.
“Dr. Crespo did that for me with MUA.”