Overview:
Post-Traumatic Pain Treatment in Austin, TX
PAIN THAT IS SEVERE AND PERSISTENT, WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE OTHER THAN A PREVIOUS TRAUMA OCCURRED THAT HAD ALREADY HEALED, IS CATEGORIZED AS “POST-TRAUMATIC PAIN.”
As the body heals from an injury, pain is common and can range from mild to severe depending on various factors. Post-traumatic pain can occur after surgery or deep tissue injury, due to blunt force trauma, traumatic brain injury, and other factors such as incision wounds, and/or fractures to tissues and bones. Pain from a traumatic event is initially considered acute, however, if it persists for several months, it could be classified as “chronic.”
In some cases, even after injuries have completely healed and no physical evidence of the trauma remains, pain continues to be experienced by the patient.
The medical community defines any pain that persists past the typical healing time (3 to 6 months) as chronic, often requiring a multi-modal approach to pain management and treatment. Many individuals who experience some type of physical trauma may also suffer from post-traumatic pain syndrome because of a heightened response and sensitivity of their nervous system caused by the trauma.
Struggling with lingering pain after surgery or injury? The expert team at Advanced Pain Care in Austin, TX, understands and effectively manages different types of post-traumatic conditions caused by surgery, deep tissue injury, or blunt force. We provide personalized pain management for various acute and chronic cases, using various proven methods. Contact us today to get back to the life you deserve!
Causes & Syndrome of Post-Traumatic Pain
Post-traumatic pain is often used interchangeably with conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), causalgia, and/or reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSD) – because the cause of post-traumatic pain occurs is not always clear and can be difficult to accurately diagnose.
Post-traumatic pain syndrome often arises due to disrupted communication between the central and peripheral nervous systems. Typically this type of disrupted communication is caused by nerve damage (known as causalgia or mimocausalgia). This can result in pain, inflammation, or numbness.
After any physical trauma, the symptoms of post-traumatic pain can range from mild to severe and are often expressed differently in patients. Even after the injury heals, individuals often experience correlating pain in different ways.
Some of the most common symptoms of post-traumatic pain include:
- Changes in skin temperature (ranging from hot to cold)
- Changes in skin color
- Changes in the growth rate of nails and hair
- Hypersensitivity to physical stimuli
- Changes in skin texture
- Burning/tingling sensations in the affected area
- Throbbing pain
When Should You See Our Doctor for Post-Traumatic Pain
If you’re experiencing post-traumatic headaches, joint pain, or any of the above mentioned symptoms, it’s important to seek medical care from a pain management specialist. Post-traumatic pain syndrome is often misdiagnosed, so an accurate evaluation and timely diagnosis is an important first step in an effective treatment plan.
Schedule a same or next-day appointment at Advanced Pain Care for an immediate evaluation of your condition.
Diagnosis & Treatment of Post-Traumatic Pain at Advanced Pain Care
Diagnosis:
Post-traumatic nerve pain can result from different types of trauma that can affect various nerves in the human body. The pain management specialists at Advanced Pain Care approach each case with an evaluation of multiple factors including symptoms, severity, and duration of a patient’s trauma pain.
In an effort to rule out other causes and reach a proper diagnosis, physicians may use the following tests to evaluate post-traumatic pain:
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (to isolate symptoms that could indicate other conditions)
- Sympathetic nervous system tests (to detect disturbances in the sympathetic nervous system)
- Peripheral nerve blocks (to isolate the triggers of post-traumatic nerve pain )
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (to detect changes in muscle tissue)
- X-rays
- Your physician may also advise other case-appropriate tests and examinations to determine possible treatment options.
Treatment:
Post-traumatic stress treatment and pain management at Advanced Pain Care involves a multi-specialty approach to treatment. Some common treatments include:
- Analgesics and pain relievers (such as aspirin and ibuprofen)
- Corticosteroids (to reduce inflammation)
- Spinal cord stimulation (to relieve post-traumatic pain)
- Sympathetic nerve-blocking medication (to block pain signals)
- Physical Therapy
Risk Factors Associated With Post-Traumatic Pain
Despite the variability of traumatic events, there are common risk factors that can make post-traumatic pain more likely:
- Intensity of pain experienced during the traumatic event(s)
- Duration of intensive care and hospitalization
- Those aged 65 years of age or older are at a higher risk
- Anxiety or stress related to the injury/surgery
- Quality of care following the traumatic event
- Intensity of traumatic event(s)
- History of alcohol or substance use
- History of anxiety, depression, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Complications That Can Arise Due To Post-Traumatic Pain
In many cases, post-traumatic pain and its symptoms will either resolve on their own or will have very minimal health implications for an individual in the future. In other cases, pain may last for several weeks or months and require a proper post-traumatic pain management plan.
When traumatic pain is not diagnosed and treated early on, it can rapidly lead to additional problems. Complications that can arise due to post-traumatic pain include:
- Atrophy of the muscles, bones, or skin
- Muscle contracture where limbs can get set into a fixed position
- Physical morbidities such as hypertension, obesity, and musculoskeletal pain
- Decreased movement and functionality in the affected region
- Depression and anxiety
- Arthritis
Patient Testimonial
The staff at Advanced Pain Care are the best! They have provided me with so much help with managing my chronic pain and overall health. I cannot recommend them highly enough!
-Duanna Frowiss
I have always had a good experience here; everyone is kind and always able to get in to see a doctor. The NPs are amazing! Anthony is my normal go-to, and he is great. He listens to my concerns and tries to find a solution for my pain.
-Natalie Bridges
Is Surgery Required to Treat Post-Traumatic Pain?
Surgical intervention to relieve chronic discomfort associated with post-traumatic pain is usually the last step in managing it. The need for surgery, while rare, may occur in specific cases, such as post-traumatic arthritis or other risk factors. In extreme cases of traumatic pain, pain management specialists may consider surgery (such as a sympathectomy). Speak to a pain management specialist at Advanced Pain Care to get a clear understanding of your condition and the treatment options available.
Follow these Common Steps to Prevent Post-Traumatic Pain
The most common steps to prevent (or treat) post-traumatic pain include:
Choose Advanced Pain Care Specialists to Get Relief from Post-Traumatic Stress in Austin, TX
We know that living with post-traumatic pain can make normal routines difficult. The experienced team of physicians at Advanced Pain Care is committed to helping you regain control of your life. Whether your pain is short-term or long-term, we’re here to give you personalized care that suits your needs, giving you relief as soon as possible. You don’t have to suffer alone – reach out to us. We offer appointments quickly, so you can get the care you need when you need it. To find out more and book a same or next-day appointment, visit our website or call us at 512-244-4272.
FAQS
Q: What does post-traumatic pain mean?
A: Post-traumatic pain syndrome, also known as “trauma pain,” is severe and long-lasting physical pain that occurs after experiencing a trauma-like injury or surgery, lasting beyond the usual healing period of 3 to 6 months. While it can sometimes resolve on its own, chronic cases often need a multi-specialty approach to pain management and treatment. This is why Advanced Pain Care offers comprehensive and specialized care to all its patients for quick pain relief.
Q: Can post-traumatic arthritis go away?
A: Post-traumatic arthritis occurs after a traumatic injury to a joint. It usually goes away after 2 to 3 months, although if pain and symptoms persist beyond 6 months, medical treatment may be necessary. In some cases, symptoms may not occur until several years after the traumatic event. Advanced Pain Care offers various options to effectively treat post-traumatic pain syndrome. These can include analgesia, physiotherapy, and in rare cases, surgery.
Q: How can you ease post-traumatic pain?
A: Depending on the symptoms and levels of post-traumatic pain experienced by a patient, the specialists at Advanced Pain Care use:
- Pain relievers
- Anticonvulsants and antidepressants
- Corticosteroids
- Physical therapy
- Spinal cord stimulation
- Sympathetic nerve-blocking medication
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (or “TENS”)
