With over 50 years of specialized expertise in facial pain
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia represents the most common neuropathic face pain. Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by paroxysmal, brief, electric-like pain in one of the three distributions. Microvascular decompression places a piece of felt between the vessel creating the cross-compression and the nerve itself. This is the only non-injurious treatment for trigeminal neuropathic pain. This operation is predicated on the fact that nerve can repair itself once the offending agent is removed. We have over 7000 cases of microvascular decompression for various cranial nerve cross-compression syndromes. For trigeminal neuralgia, the success rate is approximately 88% to 92% and the recurrence rate is 0.5% per year. Surgeons also perform glycerol injections, balloon compression, radiofrequency lesioning, and radiosurgery. There are procedures that also help control the pain of trigeminal neuralgia and other forms of facial pain. These are procedures done a same day basis.
We can discuss the diagnosis, which can be difficult to obtain. A first start is to use The Oregon Health & Science University site.(TGN Public Platform). This can give you an idea of what your symptoms might mean.
Functional Pain Procedures
Functional pain management looks to underlying problems that can be playing a role in pain. The domains of biology, psychology, and social factors are interconnected and overlap to produce and reduce pain. Functional pain management is a patient-centered approach.
Functional pain syndromes (FPS) affect more than 15% of the population worldwide.
New research is uncovering and starting to explain some of the why’s and changes in your body when you have chronic pain. I know that not all pain is the same and therefore, it’s unlikely there is one solution that is perfect for everyone.
I offer you a chance to describe your situation, both the pain and the changes it has wrought in your life and loved ones.
Then, we can address some of the standard solutions, the medicines, the possible procedures that have usefulness for your pain.
Spine
The wide spread experience of back pain comes to many of us. Some 16 million adults — 8 percent of all adults — experience persistent or chronic back pain, and as a result are limited in certain everyday activities. Back pain is the sixth most costly condition in the United States.Physican ssessments help determine where the pain comes from, how much you can move before pain forces you to stop and whether you have muscle spasms. They can also help rule out more-serious causes of back pain.
If there is reason to suspect that a specific condition is causing your back pain, these are some of the tests we can discuss:
X-ray. These images show the alignment of your bones and whether you have arthritis or broken bones. These images alone won't show problems with your spinal cord, muscles, nerves or disks.
MRI or CT scans. These scans generate images that can reveal herniated disks or problems with bones, muscles, tissue, tendons, nerves, ligaments and blood vessels.
Blood tests. These can help determine whether you have an infection or other condition that might be causing your pain.
Bone scan. In rare cases, your doctor might use a bone scan to look for bone tumors or compression fractures caused by osteoporosis.
Nerve studies. Electromyography (EMG) measures the electrical impulses produced by the nerves and the responses of your muscles. This test can confirm nerve compression caused by herniated disks or narrowing of your spinal canal (spinal stenosis).
If there is a possible surgical problem, we can offer guidance in selecting your best options.Our practice also cooperates with several well known physiatrists and physical medicine specialists. If you may benefit from physical therapy , we will make that happen for you as well.
Tips for Patients in
Chronic Pain
Stay active
Work with others socially
Exercise within your limitations
Find something to distract you
Maintain hope
Positive attitude
Take your medications regularly and appropriately
Eat healthy so that you can eat helpfully
Are you on the horns of a dilemma?