Options for non-surgical vs. surgical pain treatment exist for millions of people suffering from chronic pain. Chronic pain, unfortunately, affects 9% of the population in India, according to the best neurosurgeon in chennai.
With this large percentage of people suffering on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, there are plenty of options for treating pain, and the APS and other organizations exist in the US to help people, physicians and the patients, find solutions. A study by the APS titled "Chronic Pain in India: Roadblocks to Relief" defines chronic pain as severe and ever present among middle aged to senior citizens and is more prevalent among women than men.
A third of these people describe the pain as being more constant as opposed to flaring up with two thirds of them suffering for more than five years. Chronic pain impacts the sufferer in their lifestyle in ways such as their sleeping habits, exercise, ability to concentrate, function at work and home and emotionally in ways that they are unable to cope and have depression.
While there are many solutions to addressing this pain, each individual will react differently to various forms of treatment and the two obvious categories for solving the pain dilemma are non-surgical and surgical pain treatment. Since most people wait at least six months before seeing a physician because they feel it is not serious enough, according to the APS study, the pain has escalated to new levels and is more difficult to treat.
Non-surgical Pain Treatment
Most accredited physicians will prescribe surgical treatment only unless it's necessary. Some patients will take any form of treatment to erase the pain, and methods for non-surgical treatment are available. Medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics and prescription drugs, are the most popular method to treat the pain.
A pain management physician, an orthopedic surgeon or neurologist would be a more effective specialist to see for chronic pain as these specialties can look for the proper diagnosis and treatment of such pain. A hot/cold pack is an additional non-surgical treatment that patients will turn to for relief, and the APS study revealed that the non-medicinal therapies provided more relief than the OTC medicines. Massage, physical therapy involving stretching and muscle build-up, joint mobilization, traction, back supports, electrical nerve stimulation and proper rest can all come into play for non-surgical pain treatment.
Minimally-invasive Surgical Pain Treatment
Surgical pain treatment does not necessarily mean full anesthesia and a huge incision. Minimally-invasive surgical techniques and steroid and anesthetic injections can be performed at a physician's office or outpatient center with the patient going home within a few hours of treatment. Minimally invasive spinal fusion corrects congenital deformities such as scoliosis, with a goal to strengthen the spine and alleviate irritated nerves.
Kyphoplasty treats spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis, cancer or hypothyroidism, and uses orthopaedic balloons and bone cement to strengthen the spine. Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) is another type of treatment that heats a needle to a high temperature and inserted into a catheter in a patient with a bulging vertebral disk in the back. The heat strengthens the wall of the disk, to reduce the pressure on the nerve. Vertebroplasty is used on a back with spinal degeneration in which the disc has broken down. Bone cement is injected into the vertebra and stabilizes the bone.
Surgical Pain Treatment
If surgery is warranted, depending on the diagnosis and condition of the patient, some of the procedures considered would be discectomy, a laminectomy, disc replacement or more invasive spinal fusion.
As with any treatment for chronic pain, a qualified physician will be compassionate in addressing the pain and will prescribe non-surgical or surgical pain treatment that will provide relief.
No comments:
Post a Comment