By the year 2030, there'll be more than 3.5 million knee replacement procedures performed yearly, according to statistics by A Nation in Motion.
And while many people experience tremendous relief following their surgery, the reality is pain can (and does) persist, even following knee replacement surgery.
If you've had a knee replacement, the pain specialists here at Southern Pain & Neurological can help you regain the quality of life you deserve. Here's how:
Diagnostic Nerve Blocks
Nerve blocks are an incredibly effective way to diagnose and possibly treat pain that affects a specific part of the body (such as your knee). Nerve blocks are a medication made up of a nerve-numbing substance (called a nerve block) that's injected in a specific area of the body.
There are a variety of nerve block types, including:
- Diagnostic nerve blocks (used to determine sources of pain; which we can use to determine the exact source of your pain)
- Prognostic nerve blocks (used to predict the outcomes of a specific treatment; allowing us to ensure you get the most effective long-term relief)
- Therapeutic nerve blocks (used to treat and control acute pain; this is certainly relevant in post-surgery patients)
- Preemptive nerve blocks (used to prevent subsequent pain from a procedure; certainly relevant in post-surgery patients)
While there are many types of nerve blocks, this type of treatment may not be right for you. Nerve blocks are most effective if your pain is related to a single or small group of nerves. That's why our team at Southern Pain & Neurological will conduct a thorough diagnosis prior to recommending this, or any pain treatment solution.
Joint Injections
Joint injections are another effective pain treatment for patients following knee-replacement surgery. Joint injections actually serve a dual purpose: diagnostic and therapeutic.
First, we place numbing medicine in the affected joint. If your pain is significantly reduced, then we know that this is the area of the body that's causing you discomfort.
The joint injection also contains an anti-inflammatory (cortisone/steroid), which helps reduce any inflammation that may exist within the joint. This treatment will provide long-term relief if you suffer pain following your procedure.
How do I know which pain treatment is best for me, following my knee replacement surgery?
Here at Southern Pain & Neurological, we know that everyone's pain is unique. Just because many of our patients throughout Greater New Orleans might experience relief from one treatment, doesn't mean that's the right treatment for you.
We aim to personalize your pain treatment plan. We address all sides of the pain (physical, mental, emotional) so you can leave our clinic confident that you'll experience less pain and a higher quality of life.
Learn more about your treatment options for post-knee-replacement surgery by contacting any one of our three Greater New Orleans pain clinics (Marrero, Metairie, and Covington).