a peripheral nerve or dorsal column stimulator

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a relatively new technology that can help manage chronic pain when the cause cannot be removed or the injury cannot be repaired. If no defect can be found to explain why the patient has pain or correcting it is not likely to improve the pain, surgery to do so is not a good option. In neurosurgery, this will most often include removing bone from the spine or fusing parts of the spine together. When a problem can be identified and surgery can be done to correct it, this will usually be the best option. A surgeon will use x-rays, CT scans, or MRI to look at the areas where the pain is located and see if a problem is found. When there is a problem with the body, surgery can be done to correct it. Pain specialists can use procedures like this to manage pain without the need for a larger surgical procedure. Injections or nerve blocks are commonly used during this process and may use numbing medication and/or steroid medication to block inflammation to a specific area. Some procedures will be used to help identify the cause and location of the pain, while others will help control the pain. Several procedures are used to manage chronic pain. Some medications are more or less effective for particular types of pain, so it is important to talk with your medical provider about any medications prior to use. The risks of these problems increase when the medications are taken over the long term. In addition, these types of prescription pain medications can lead to addiction, abuse, and potential harm. Although effective for acute pain, these medications are less helpful for chronic pain. When pain gets worse, prescription pain medication, including opioids such as oxycodone may be used to manage pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen are often used as the first option.

Several medications are available with different ways of improving pain. This promotes many of the good lifestyle factors listed above and does not have the risks that come with medication use and surgical treatment. Physical therapy is often used as a first line treatment for pain conditions. The effects of chronic pain will typically make a healthy lifestyle more difficult and can lead to many of the negative effects already mentioned. Improving lifestyle factors, such as appropriate weight management, regular physical activity, good mental and emotional health, proper nutrition, and healthy sleep habits are often helpful in promoting recovery. In most situations, non-surgical treatments should be used first during the evaluation and treatment of chronic pain. There is not a single treatment plan that will work for all patients and many patients will need several different approaches. The best treatment is found by understanding the cause of the nerve injury and using therapy that will correct the problem or reduce its effect. The source of the pain may be specific to one area or it may be wide spread. Spinal cord stimulation is most useful for injury to the nerve, which causes this type of chronic pain.įinding the most effective treatment option for a patient requires understanding the location where the pain is starting and the type of injury that has occurred. Chronic pain results when the pain continues even after the initial cause is no longer present. It is important to understand that a person can experience periods of nearly constant acute pain related to muscle or joint injury, arthritis, and many other medical conditions. With so many potential causes of chronic pain, the evaluation and treatment for one chronic pain patient may be very different from another similar patient. A person’s mental health can also play a role in the perception of pain and the ability to manage it. A pinched nerve in the back, uncontrolled diabetes, or a medical procedure are a few things that can result in chronic pain. Trauma to the body, as well as other medical conditions or medications can cause injury to nerves.

Depending on the location of the nerve injury, this pain can feel differently. Nearly any injury to a nerve has the ability to become a chronic problem. Chronic pain can develop for many reasons.

A peripheral nerve or dorsal column stimulator