Living with constant pain is difficult, and people who suffer from chronic pain know how it can disrupt and damage their lives. It can make it difficult to enjoy even the simplest daily activities.
What is Chronic Pain?
Chronic Pain is a constant pain that can last from a few months to many years. This relentless problem can cause severe pain, sleep deprivation and depression if it persists for a long period of time. Pain can be caused by injuries, disease processes, or weak bones and muscles.
THERAPEUTIC PAIN MANAGEMENT Now Available at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center
Interventional Radiology (IR) Pain management procedures are very effective for treating many types of spine and neck pain as well as some types of musculoskeletal pain. Depending on the source of the pain, Interventional Radiology pain management procedures may be used to diagnose, to deliver pain relief, and to treat the underlying cause while providing pain relief.
If you’re suffering from chronic or acute pain caused by a known injury or illness, Coffeyville Regional Medical Center now offers many innovative types of interventional radiology treatments to provide you with effective pain management, and in some cases, eliminate the source of your pain altogether.
We sat down with Dr. Gutschenritter, Interventional Radiologist at CRMC to discuss some of the new treatments that we now offer to the community.
What are interventional radiology pain management procedures?
A pain management procedure is an image-guided injection of medication through a precisely placed,
small needle. This is performed by a licensed,
interventional radiologist in the medical imaging department. These procedures can provide pain relief with the goal of returning you to normal activity. They can also give additional knowledge about your
condition and find the source of your pain. Injections
can be performed in the back, the spine, and joints.
Is this an invasive procedure? How long does it take?
No, typically most pain management injections take 30 minutes. These procedures are done in an outpatient setting. Depending on the area to be injected, you will be positioned on an x-ray table on your stomach or back. The area will be cleansed with antiseptic solution and a local anesthetic will be applied to numb the area where the needle will be inserted. Depending on the type of procedure you’re having, the injection may contain an anesthetic and/or steroid preparation to provide immediate as well as longer relief.
Can I resume normal activity once the procedure is finished?
Refrain from driving, rigorous activity and alcohol consumption for the remainder of the day. You can resume normal activity the next day. You may feel soreness at the needle insertion site for two to three days; you can use an ice pack to relieve any discomfort, up to 15 minutes per hour.
About Dr. David Gutschenritter
Dr. David Gutschenritter, M.D. grew up in Neodesha, KS and is happy to return to SE Kansas to practice. He is board certified in Interventional Radiology through the American College of Radiology and has been practicing since 2013.
For more information on Therapeutic Pain Management, Please call the Interventional Radiology Nurse, 620-252-1179.
About the Pain Clinic
The Pain Clinic at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center can help patients who suffer from chronic pain. The clinic operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Outpatient Surgical Services Department. Anesthesiologist Dr. Baba Abudu and Nurse Anesthetist Christopher Hogan CRNA treat patients for a variety of pain.
What Kinds of Pain are Treated?
Examples of the more common types of chronic pain treated include: non-surgical back pain; joint pain (hip and sacroiliac); pain from acute shingles; post-herpetic neuralgia; and myofacial pain syndromes.
HOW IS THE PAIN TREATED?
Chronic pain treatment often includes the injection of medications into the affected area. Some injections are performed using fluoroscopy (aka X-ray guidance) while others utilize ultrasound to ensure maximum effectiveness. Each patient is unique and their therapy will be guided by their specific needs.
The services offered by our providers:
Dr. Baba Abudu
- Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injections
- Trigger Point Injections
- Myofacial Injections
- Subcutaneous Infiltration for Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
Have Shoulder, Elbow or Knee pain?
Patients with Shoulder, Elbow, Knee or other joint pain should consider visiting our Orthopedic Providers at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center for treatment options. Our Orthopedic Providers can be found at the CRMC Medical Group Specialty Clinic located on the 3rd floor at CRMC, 620-252-1639.
How to Get an Appointment
Patients can be referred to the Pain Clinic by their surgeon or primary care physician. Many types of chronic pain will require imaging studies, such as an MRI or CAT Scan, prior to visiting the Pain Clinic. The number to call for appointment by your physician is 620-252-1581.
About our Pain Specialists:
Dr. Baba Abudu
Chief of Anesthesiology
- Service at CRMC since July, 1989
- Medical School: Hahnemann University
- Internship & Residency: San Joaquin General Hospital
- Anesthesiology Residency: University of Miami
- Pain Management Fellowship: University of Miami