How long will you have relief from pain?
Posted June, 2008
How long will your relief from chronic back pain last? That's a trick question, really, isn't it?
Because duration of relief depends on what caused the pain, and further depends on what we did to help it, as well as other extremely complex issues, it's tough to say "for everybody" how long it will stay away.
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Procedures using drugs or other chemicals to deaden nerves (sometimes called a nerve block) may last months or even years, and are easily repeated if need be.
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Procedures using radio waves may last longer, again depending on exactly which nerves or tissues are involved.
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Other factors are determined by each individual's body and how the person acts after we've worked to lessen or remove their pain.
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Other techniques such as vertebroplasty may be virtually "permanent," as they may repair or at least circumvent the damage that caused problem. Barring additional injury or disease, the patient could be pain free (at least with respect to the original issue) "forever."
It's best to remember that pain management is a partnership: you and the doctor both work together to relieve your pain. In some cases after treatment the patient must take an active part in order to keep the pain that motivated the course of treatment at bay. (Things such as exercises, or simply by being more physically active than just spending time on the couch watching the tube.)
As one part of your treatment regimen, Dr. Robb may prescribe various medications (either narcotic or non-narcotic, depending on which type he feels is best for your situation). These, when taken exactly as directed, should greatly relieve any remaining back pain.
Patients who have severe intractable back pain may be able to receive an implantable pump that delivers pain-relieving medications into the afflicted area.