Get to Know Your Chronic Pain Treatment Options in Wichita
Chronic pain can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, especially during the summer when people are swimming, hiking, playing tennis, and other warm weather activities. Unfortunately, there are a significant number of Americans living with chronic pain.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 21% of U.S. adults reported experiencing chronic pain in 2021. Additionally, the American Psychiatric Association reports that people who are affected by chronic pain are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression.
Attempting to live with chronic pain makes life significantly more difficult. The good news is that a variety of chronic pain treatments are available to help. After covering how Mid-America Orthopedics helps patients overcome chronic pain, we will explain how to find pain management doctors near you in Wichita.
Get an Accurate Diagnosis
The first step to addressing chronic pain is getting an accurate diagnosis from an orthopedic doctor. Mid-America Orthopedics is equipped with the latest technology and diagnostic tools, which enables our physicians to properly assess chronic conditions.
After your orthopedic doctor conducts a physical examination and reviews your diagnostic imaging, they will be able to identify the underlying cause of your chronic pain. It’s possible that your chronic condition has changed since your original diagnosis, especially if it’s a degenerative disease.
Personalized Treatment Plans and Chronic Pain Management
Although chronic pain is common, orthopedic doctors understand that every patient’s condition is unique. For example, if two people have the same type of arthritis in the same area of the body, they likely experience their condition in different ways. One patient may experience more pain or lack of mobility than the other.
This is why orthopedic doctors make a point to tailor their treatment plans; different patients have different needs and goals. Depending on the condition, an orthopedic doctor may recommend one or more of the following chronic pain treatments:
- Over-the-counter medications
- Prescription pain medications
- Heat/ice therapy
- Professional physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Exercises that reduce symptoms
- Steroid injections
- Surgery
The Phases of Chronic Pain Treatment
Treating chronic pain does not mean starting with the most aggressive treatment option first. In fact, your orthopedic doctor will exhaust all viable non-surgical options before considering a procedure; there are plenty of chronic pain treatments that have proven successful in helping patients find relief.
However, if your orthopedic doctor determines that non-surgical treatments will yield little to no benefit, they will refer you to an orthopedic surgeon to discuss your options. Mid-America Orthopedics has orthopedic doctors and surgeons on staff, which makes the patient handoff process seamless and efficient.
During your initial consultation with an orthopedic surgeon, your doctor will discuss your surgical options and what they entail. The surgeons at Mid-America Orthopedics can perform minimally invasive and open surgery. Most patients can be treated using minimally invasive surgery, also known as arthroscopy.
Arthroscopic Surgery
When performing arthroscopic surgery, orthopedic surgeons use an advanced fiber-optic video camera connected to a monitor to look inside the joint. The camera is inserted through a small incision made in the tissue around the joint, as are the small tools used to perform the surgery.
Because the size of the incisions used during arthroscopic surgery are so small, it results in a quicker healing process and far less scarring. Additionally, this type of surgery statistically has a much lower rate of infection when compared to open surgery.
Finding a Chronic Pain Management Doctor Near You in Wichita
If you’re finally ready to overcome chronic pain and reclaim your quality of life, Mid-America Orthopedics can put you on the path to becoming pain-free. The sooner you address your chronic pain, the sooner you can get back to enjoying summer activities with friends and family.
Take the first step by contacting the experienced orthopedic doctors at Mid-America Orthopedics. During your initial appointment, one of our physicians will perform a comprehensive exam that identifies the root source of your pain and discomfort. After your diagnosis, you receive a personalized treatment plan that helps manage your pain. Additionally, your physician may recommend a supplemental treatment, such as professional physical therapy.
Call us at (316) 630-9300 to speak with our scheduling department about booking your initial consultation. For the convenience of our patients, we can typically schedule same-day or next-day appointments.