Orthopedic Services

Pain Management Services

The Division of Pain Management at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital evaluates and treats patients with acute and/or chronic pain. The Division works to decrease pain, to decrease the use of potent drugs and to increase well being in patients. Pain management services at NYPBMH include specialists from fields such as anesthesiology, neurology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, psychiatry, rehabilitation, and rheumatology.

Following a comprehensive evaluation including medical history and laboratory data, a doctor discusses a plan of treatment with the patient and/or family members.

Medication

Treatment options can include medications such as analgesic drugs, narcotics, tranquilizers and anti-depressants.

Nerve Blockades

Another treatment option is nerve blockades, which use a portable ultrasound machine which allows the doctor to deliver local anesthetic directly to the nerve with thin, minimally invasive, catheter tubes. Local anesthetics produce prompt temporary pain relief and allow patients to increase their activities, minimize the use of medications, and cooperate more fully in physical and emotional rehabilitation.

Electrical Nerve Stimulation (ELS)

NYP/BM also offers electrical nerve stimulation (ELS), which uses an electrical current to treat pain. There are two types of ELS: peripheral nerve stimulation, in which electric pulses are sent through the peripheral nerves; and spinal cord stimulation, in which the electrical pulses are sent through the spinal cord. These pulses interfere with the nerve impulses that cause pain.

Psychology

Patients with intractable pain need continuous encouragement and positive reinforcement. Occasionally, patients may need formal psychotherapeutic intervention. At NYPBMH, we provide biofeedback, relaxation training, and hypnosis to patients struggling with intense pain.

Rehabilitation

The ultimate goal of pain management is rehabilitation to a more productive life style and a better quality of life.

Conditions Treated

• Trigger Pain - myofascial syndrome; ill-defined pain in muscles, tendons, fascial planes, after trauma or surgery
• Phantom Limb Pain - after the amputation of a limb
• Chronic Back Pain - discogenic pain, non-specific pain, pain from osteophytes
• Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
• Shingles - or acute herpes zoster
• Meralgia Paresthetica - pain on outer side of thigh
• Causalgia and Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophies - chronic severe burning pain, automatic dysfunction and atrophic changes
• Chronic Bursitis/Arthritic Pain
• Neck and Lower Back Syndromes - whiplash, sciatica, etc.
• Cancer Pain