Bone & Joint Staff • February 21, 2023
Degenerative Disc Pain Relief: Tony Goudeau's Patient Story

Tony Goudeau’s retirement didn’t begin quite how he imagined. While he had hoped for a balance of activity and relaxation, ongoing back pain shortly began to make both seem impossible. It was a trip to Lake Tahoe around April or May of 2022 when the pain first began. Having suffered a broken back several years prior in a boating accident, Tony assumed the injury had come back to haunt him. It would take a bit more investigation from a couple of dedicated orthopedic specialists before he’d truly understand the underlying cause and discover a viable solution.


Finding an Orthopedic Pain Specialist


Already a patient of the
Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge, Tony took his newfound back concerns to his existing orthopedic physician, Dr. Gerard Murtagh. Although he had already been treating Tony for back issues, Dr. Murtagh recognized that this new complaint required some deeper digging. He ordered an MRI and discovered that Tony was now suffering from degenerative disc disease, a condition that leads to the gradual breakdown of the spongy discs that provide cushion between vertebrae and allow for pain-free movement. In order to help Tony tackle this latest diagnosis head-on, Dr. Murtagh referred him to a colleague he was certain could help - Dr. Christopher Belleau


Upon examination of Tony and a review of his diagnosis and history, Dr. Belleau recommended a nerve burn. This procedure is minimially invasive but offers significant pain relief by destroying nerve fibers which transmit pain signals to the brain. However, in order to have his much-needed nerve burn, insurance would require that he first undergo two nerve blocks, a process through which Dr. Belleau carefully guided him.


“Dr. Belleau knew exactly what was wrong from day one, but I appreciate that he still took his time,” says Tony. “He made sure he saw me two or three times before he even did the nerve block or burn. He really made sure it was the right choice for me.”


Nerve Burn for Back Pain


Tony received his required nerve blocks about two weeks apart. Each time, he experienced relief for a couple of days, a positive sign that indicated a nerve burn would deliver
long-term pain relief. A couple of weeks later, Tony finally received the nerve burn. Over a month later, he is still enjoying life pain-free.


“My pain went to absolutely nothing,” exclaims Tony. “Before this, I couldn’t sleep at night. Lifting anything, getting in and out of a vehicle, it was all a problem. I mean pretty much everything was a problem until I had this procedure done.”


While Tony understands that his results aren’t permanent and that he will likely require another nerve burn in the future, he is thrilled to have found a solution to his nagging, daily problem and is immensely grateful to Dr. Belleau.


“Dr. Belleau definitely knows what he’s doing,” assures Tony. “He has the experience, and he’s good at what he does. He’s a great doctor, and I’ll definitely go back to him.”


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By Bone and Joint Clinic Staff April 1, 2025
BATON ROUGE, LA, January 30, 2025 – Effective April 1, 2025, four distinguished orthopedic surgeons from The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will transition to Baton Rouge Orthopedic Clinic (BROC), continuing their commitment to providing high-quality orthopedic care. The physicians joining BROC are: 1. Joseph "Jeb" Broyles, MD – Specializes in joint replacement surgery, knee arthroscopy, and cartilage regeneration. 2. Arthur "Art" Hess, MD – Specializes in trauma, hip, knee, and shoulder reconstruction, and total joint replacement surgery. 3. Mat hew "Matt" Mazoch, M D – Specializes in shoulder and knee surgery. 4. Alan Schroeder, MD – Specializes in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. Beginning April 1, 2025, these physicians will operate under BROC's umbrella while continuing to see patients at The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge's current location, 7301 Hennessy Blvd. Eventually, the doctors plan to transition to BROC's campus on Bluebonnet Blvd. The estimated timeline for that move is Summer/Fall 2025. In addition, Dr. Patrick Hall will be transitioning to his own practice, Hall Podiatry, that will continue to provide quality podiatric care to patients. Dr. Hall will continue to practice at 7301 Hennessy Blvd. until May/June 2025. After that date, patients may see him at a new nearby location. Dr. Christopher Belleau is transitioning to The Neuromedical Center in Baton Rouge.  Patients are encouraged to continue scheduling appointments at The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge using the current process for the foreseeable future. To ensure a seamless transition, The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will provide detailed information to patients in the coming weeks, including the secure transfer of medical records and continuity of care. The health and well-being of patients remain the top priority, and The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge, BROC, and Hall Podiatry are working together to make this transition as smooth as possible while maintaining uninterrupted care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, patients can contact The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge at 225-766-0050 or by visiting bjcbr.com . Patients can also reach BROC at 225-924-2424 or by visiting brortho.com .
Dr. Gerard Murtagh to Retire After Distinguished Career in Orthopedic Surgery
By The Bone & Joint Clinic March 10, 2025
Dr. Gerard Murtagh will retire from Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge on March 12, 2025, after a long and distinguished career dedicated to advancing orthopedic surgery.
Recognizing the Signs That You May Need a Joint Replacement
By The Bone & Joint Clinic Staff February 12, 2025
Sometimes, joint replacement is the best course of action, even when conservative measures like medicine, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes might be helpful. Knowing when a joint replacement is necessary can help you take prompt action and improve your quality of life.
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