CHRONIC PAIN ABOUT THIS CONDITION
WHAT IS CHRONIC PAIN?
Chronic pain is persistent pain that adversely affects your well-being, level of function, and quality of life for more than 3 to 6 months.
Common symptoms of chronic pain include:
- Sharp or stabbing pain
- A burning sensation
- A dull muscular ache
- Numbness
- Sensitivity to touch
- Skin changes
- Swelling
- Weakness
TYPES OF CHRONIC PAIN
CHRONIC BACK AND LEG PAIN
Chronic back and leg pain is described as pain that has been felt in the back or leg for six months or longer.
Chronic back and leg pain can result from a number of spinal conditions, including:
- Degenerative disc disease
- Lumbar disc herniation
- Failed back surgery syndrome
- Epidural fibrosis
- Arachnoiditis
COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME (CRPS)
Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic pain condition that most often affects the arms, legs, hands, or feet. CRPS is also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy or causalgia.
CRPS usually develops in a limb after an injury (such as a broken bone) or surgery. The exact cause of CRPS is unknown.
PAINFUL NEUROPATHY
Painful neuropathy is a neurological disorder where people experience chronic pain due to nerve damage. Nerves connect the spinal cord to the body and help the brain communicate with skin, muscles, and internal organs.
Painful neuropathies may be a result of diabetes, nutritional imbalances, alcoholism, toxins, chemotherapy, infections, autoimmunity, trauma of the nerves, and/or illnesses, such as kidney failure or cancer.
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Hamza M, Doleys D, Wells M, et al. Prospective study of 3-year follow-up of low dose intrathecal opioids in the management of chronic nonmalignant pain. Pain Med. 2012;13:1304-1313.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.