Pain Relief after Spinal Fusion Surgery

February 6, 2017/0 Comments/in Back Pain, Surgery /by Matthew Thorson

Most patients who undergo spine fusion surgery are doing so in order to reduce back pain and other issues. But the surgery itself often results in pain. There are many different methods for reducing pain after a surgical procedure. In this article, we are going to discuss a few of the most common options for managing pain after a spine fusion procedure.

Pain Medication

Over-the-counter pain medications, as well as prescription opioids can be used to effectively manage pain after spine surgery. It’s important to have a skilled pain doctor craft a prescription strategy that weans the patient off of opioid medications and on to less addictive NSAIDs. Opioids are effective at reducing pain, but are also extremely habit-forming. Many patients form addictions to these medications after surgery due to over-prescription. A good pain management physician can help avoid these pitfalls.

Injections

Swelling and inflammation is a common source of pain after spine surgery for many patients. Steroidal injections can help reduce inflammation and related pain in the area following surgery.

Stem Cell / Regenerative Medicine

Many patients are hesitant to try regenerative medicine treatments, but these techniques have been proven to offer significant pain reduction with minimal invasiveness. PRP and prolotherapy injections can help stimulate natural tissue growth and regeneration, and help repair tissue that was damaged during the surgical procedure.

Minneapolis Spine Pain Doctors

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been helping Minnesota residents manage their pain for over two decades. Our board-certified pain management physicians are trained in the most up to date and innovative treatment methods including regenerative medicine options (PRP and Prolotherapy). If you are experiencing significant pain after your spine fusion surgery, talk to a pain management doctor in your area to learn about your options for managing the pain. Contact us today at our Minneapolis pain clinic to set up your appointment with one of our Minnesota back pain doctors.

Managing Pain During Spine Surgery Recovery

October 27, 2016/0 Comments/in Surgery /by Matthew Thorson

There are many types of spinal procedures – each used to treat a specific injury or condition of the spine. While these procedures are aimed at reducing back pain, the surgeries themselves can cause pain during recovery. In this article, we are going to discuss a few of the different types of spine surgery procedures, and how to deal with pain as you recover from each.

Spinal Fusion

Spinal fusion is perhaps the most common spinal surgery. This procedure is often used to treat nerve issues related to a herniated disc in the spine. During surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the back and removes part, or all of the herniated spinal disc. Then, in order to keep the spine stable, the surrounding vertebrae are fused together using surgical hardware like rods and screws, and sometimes with the help of a bone graft.

Spinal Disc Replacement

A total disc replacement procedure aims to accomplish the same goal as a spinal fusion – reducing pain and other issues caused by a spinal disc. But, unlike the fusion procedure in which the adjacent vertebrae are fused together, a spinal disc replacement utilizes an artificial disc to take the place of the removed disc. The benefits of the spinal disc replacement are that it preserves motion better than the fusion. In other words, you can bend, twist, and turn more freely after this procedure.

Pain Management after Spine Surgery

Both of these procedures are minimally invasive. Even so, patients can experience a lot of pain during the days and weeks after a procedure. The surgical wounds take time to heal, and on top of that your body needs to adjust to the changes brought on by surgery. It’s important to work with a pain management specialist to make sure that you have the best recovery possible. After the procedure, your pain can be controlled with over-the-counter pain killers, prescription opioids, and other drugs. Additionally, a physical therapy routine can be quite helpful in treating pain and improving your mobility after surgery.

Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN has been treating post-op spine surgery patients for over two decades. Our doctors are board certified in pain management, and will work with you to develop a treatment strategy that fits your unique needs. Contact us today at our Edina pain clinic to set up an appointment and get back on the road to a pain-free life!

Still in Pain after Multiple Surgeries – Treatment Options

October 5, 2016/0 Comments/in Pain, Surgery /by Matthew Thorson

When a patient elects to have surgery, they hope that the procedure will reduce their pain in the long-term. That is often true, but sometimes patients require numerous surgeries and may still experience pain. What should you do if you’ve been through multiple procedures without any pain relief? In this article, we are going to discuss what to do if you are still experiencing pain long after you’ve had multiple surgical procedures.

Pain after Surgery

A certain amount of pain after surgery is to be expected. Surgery involves trauma, and the body needs time to heal from the surgical wounds. Your surgeon will likely prescribe you some pain medications to help you through the first days and weeks of your recovery. Depending on the specific procedure performed, physical therapy may also be helpful.

In some cases, patients need to undergo multiple surgical procedures. A patient may (re)injure themselves during the recovery period, or a pre-existing condition may necessitate another procedure (for example, degenerative disc disease may cause another collapsed spinal disc after a spine fusion).

What to Do when Pain Persists

If multiple surgeries have done nothing to reduce your pain, it’s time to look into alternative treatment options. An experienced pain management doctor can fully examine your situation and medical history, and put together a strategy for reducing your pain. There are many methods for controlling pain, such as:

Physical therapy
Chiropractic
Injection Therapy
Regenerative Medicine (PRP, Prolotherapy)
And More.

The pain management physicians and staff at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been treating patients for chronic and acute pain conditions for over twenty years. Whether you’ve just started experiencing pain, or you’ve been dealing with it for years, we have the experience and knowledge to help. If you are in pain after a surgical procedure, talk to a pain management specialist. Contact us today at our Edina pain clinic to set up your appointment with a skilled pain doctor and get back to living your life pain-free!

Pain Relief Options when you’re Denied Surgery

July 20, 2016/0 Comments/in Surgery /by Matthew Thorson

Most patients want to avoid surgery at all costs, and consider it only after all other options have been exhausted. But for some patients, surgery isn’t an option at all. In these situations patients are often concerned that they will never be able to relieve their pain without surgical intervention. In this article we are going to talk about some methods for reducing your pain if you have been denied surgery.

Surgery Denial

There are several reasons why a patient may be denied surgery. Perhaps the most common reason for denial is the patient’s age. With many surgical procedures, elderly patients are at an increased risk for infection and other negative side effects. Another common reason is the existence of pre-existing conditions that may prevent a successful procedure.

Keep in mind that all this depends heavily on the specific procedure and the patient’s unique circumstances. You should always talk with your physician about the circumstances surrounding your treatment.

Non-Surgical Pain Management Options

Being denied surgery is not the end of the world. Even if it seems that you’ve tried every possible treatment under the sun, there are still options available to you. Sometimes it just requires the assistance of a skilled pain management doctor who can work with you to create a treatment approach that fits your needs. There are so many different combinations of treatments that there are almost always new options available to you. For example, if you’ve tried injections before, another type of injection may work better. All of this hinges on the talents of a physical medicine physician to work with you through this process.

The physical medicine doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN are experts in all types of pain management solutions. Our physicians can fully diagnose your condition or injury and recommend options for treatment, whether that be functional medicine options like ketamine therapy or regenerative techniques like PRP therapy, medications or other injection therapies. If you have been denied surgery, contact us today to set up your appointment and learn how to conquer your pain without going under the knife.

3 Pieces of Advice when Considering Surgery

January 6, 2016/0 Comments/in Surgery /by Matthew Thorson

Surgery is a scary concept for a lot of patients, and should not be taken lightly. Patients need to survey all of their possible options before embarking on a treatment path. In this article we will offer a few tips to consider when you’re deciding whether or not to go under the knife.

Consider All your Options

Most patients want to do everything they can before committing to surgery. Make sure you’ve exhausted all of your other conservative treatment options before going under the knife. These less invasive options may include: pain medication (over the counter, and prescription), pain injections, physical therapy, massage therapy, and more.

Get a Second (or Third) Opinion

The decision to go through with a surgical procedure should not be taken lightly. It’s never a bad idea to get a second (or third opinion) from multiple doctors. If all of the physicians you visit tell you that surgery is your best bet, it will make your decision even easier. If these physicians disagree, then you need to consider your options more carefully.

Insurance, Work Comp, & Cost

Another huge consideration for many people thinking about surgery is cost. Many surgical procedures carry a huge price tag, and may or may not be covered by your insurance. It’s important to check your insurance plan to see if the procedure you are considering is covered. If you were injured on the job and are receiving treatment as part of a worker’s compensation claim, check to see if work comp will cover any or all of the procedure.

If you are experiencing pain and considering surgery, make an appointment with a pain specialist today. The pain physicians at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been treating Minnesotans for over twenty years and can help you decide whether or not surgery is the best option for your situation.

Managing Pain after Surgery

December 22, 2015/0 Comments/in Surgery /by Matthew Thorson

After a surgical procedure you need to give your body the time it needs to heal itself. This can be especially difficult if you are in a lot of pain after your operation. This article will focus entirely on pain after surgery. We will discuss the various types of pain that you may experience after your procedure, and how to effectively manage that pain while you recover.

Post-Op Pain

Every surgical procedure comes with at least a small amount of pain. Surgery is technically trauma to your body – the surgeon has to cut through tissue and muscle to access the necessary bodily region. At the end of your procedure (whether it’s a spine fusion, or an ACL repair), your surgeon will sew up the surgical incisions. These surgical wounds take time to fully heal and during that time you may experience a degree of pain as you recover from your surgery.

Managing Surgical Pain

There are many methods that can be used to manage patient pain following a surgical procedure. The most common method is pain medication. When you first come out of surgery, and in the first couple days that follow, you may be prescribed a strong opioid painkiller like Oxycodone. These should only be used when the pain is most severe. As your body continues to heal and the pain dissipates, you should ween yourself off of these stronger opioid medications and on to less addictive painkillers like over the counter NSAIDs. Post-op pain can also be combated with physical therapy exercises, massage therapy, and even injection therapy in certain cases.

Minnesota Pain Management

If you are dealing with post-op pain after a surgical procedure, make an appointment with a pain specialist to discuss your options. The pain doctors at Advanced Spine & Pain Clinics of MN have been helping Minnesotans manage their pain for over 20 years. Our experts can develop a pain relief strategy that is tailored to your unique situation.

Deciding between Injections & Surgery

July 22, 2015/0 Comments/in Regenerative Medicine, Surgery /by Matthew Thorson

For most painful conditions and injuries there are numerous treatment options available to a patient. From prescription painkillers, to pain injections, to surgery – it can be overwhelming trying to find the best treatment course for your condition. In this article, we will discuss options for deciding between injections and surgery for various conditions and injuries.

Arthritis & Osteoarthritis

Generally, arthritic and osteoarthritic conditions are not treated with surgical approaches. Regenerative injections (such as PRP or BMAC injections) can be incredibly effective at reducing pain from arthritis and regenerating lost tissue.

Ligament Injuries

Ligament tears and injuries (such as ACL & MCL tears, and rotator cuff tears) can be treated with surgery to repair the torn ligaments. You often hear of professional athletes undergoing ACL repair surgery so they can get back on the field as soon as possible. While these surgeries are often successful, regenerative injections can be just as effective in reducing pain and repairing the torn tissue. This procedure takes longer for the patient to completely recover, but unlike professional football players, most people do not need to return to high intensity exercise quickly after a ligament tear.

Spine Conditions & Injuries

Certain spine conditions and injuries need to be treated surgically. This is especially true if an injury or condition puts the spinal nerves in immediate danger. In these cases, repair surgery may be necessary to prevent permanent nerve injury and paralysis. In many other cases, pain relief injections and regenerative injection therapy will provide significant relief to patients, without the hassle and cost of surgery.

If you suffer from any of the conditions or injuries listed above, make an appointment with a pain management physician to discuss your treatment options. Dr. Thorson has years of experience treating Minnesotans with painful conditions. Contact us today to set up your appointment with Dr. Thorson and get on the path to a pain-free life.