When you’re in chronic pain, you want one thing: to not be in pain anymore.
Unfortunately, the solution usually isn’t that simple. The pain you’re experiencing is a symptom of a problem, not a diagnosis in and of itself. To provide a permanent solution, Dr. Eric Fanaee needs to determine your disease state and your diagnosis so he knows how best to treat you.
“Disease state” and “diagnosis” are medical terms that describe illnesses and symptoms. They’re similar but slightly different. A disease state is a disease, disorder, condition, or symptom that may or may not include a cause. Diagnosis is a disease, condition, or injury identified by signs and symptoms.
Chronic pain syndrome, for example, is a disease state with no verifiable cause, so the treatment focus is on managing the pain rather than stopping it altogether.
Here are five essential treatments for disease states.
Epidurals are injections into the epidural space in your spine. They include both a corticosteroid and a local anesthetic to provide pain relief and reduce inflammation of your spinal nerves to provide long-term pain relief.
Epidurals work best in cases that include inflamed spinal nerves due to herniated discs, spinal arthritis, sciatica, or bone spurs.
A nerve block is an injection of medication close to a targeted nerve to provide pain relief by blocking the pain signals the nerves are sending out. The effect is usually pretty quick, but this is not a long-lasting solution — it usually provides temporary pain relief until a more permanent solution can be determined.
A spinal cord stimulator is a neurostimulation device Dr. Fanaee can implant into your body. It works by using electrical impulses to disrupt the activity of the nerves that are transmitting pain signals to your brain. This treatment option comes after less-invasive treatments, such as physical therapy, oral medications, and injections, have proved to be ineffective.
Radiofrequency ablation also works by disrupting the pain signals your nerves are sending to your brain. Dr. Fanaee inserts a microelectrode underneath your skin in the area where you’re experiencing pain, and an electric current then heats up a small area of your nerve tissue to block the signals. Pain relief from this procedure usually lasts 6-12 months or more.
Intracept is an innovative minimally invasive procedure designed to treat chronic back pain by targeting the basivertebral nerve. It works by creating energy to ablate the nerve and disconnect its receptors from sending pain signals to your brain.
If you’re struggling with chronic pain and don't yet have a disease state or diagnosis, Dr. Fanaee wants to give you hope and help. He understands how pain can take over your life, and he’s committed to helping you find relief. Call 631-265-2020 today.
