In the United States today, chronic pain costs society more than $100 billion annually and is the leading cause of adult disability.1 According to the American Pain Foundation, there are 50 million chronic pain sufferers. Many of these individuals have exhausted all methods of pain treatment, including powerful pain medications and multiple surgeries, and yet still continue to experience severe pain.

Nerve pain makes up a significant component of this population. Neuropathic pain symptoms have been described as a shooting, burning, or numbing sensation that can lead to disability and impairment.

 

 

Some causes of neuropathic pain can include:

 

 

Treatment methods include drug therapy, rehabilitation, psychological therapy, and surgical intervention. However, there is a growing concern in the medical community that a significant number of chronic pain sufferers are not receiving effective treatment quickly.

Consulting with Pain Specialists such anesthesiologists, neurosurgeons, and other interventional pain specialists may help in finding the appropriate treatment plan for their complex condition. These pain treatments may include interventional pain management treatments such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, nerve blocks, neurolysis, and intrathecal drug delivery system.

 

To learn more about whether SCS therapy is right for your patient, click Neuromodulation.