A Unique Approach to Pain Management

Aaron K. Compton, MD
The Center for Orthopaedic Spine & Pain

Intro

Thank you for your interest in The Center for Orthopaedic Spine and Pain, a part of Louisville Orthopaedic Clinic. I’ve had an interest in the treatment of chronic pain since I was young, seeing the debilitating effects of chronic pain on close friends and family members. Before exploring the field of Pain Medicine, like others, I simply thought that once a patient’s condition couldn’t be “fixed,” they must rely on taking pain pills forever. Fortunately, this is far from the truth.

Multimodal Treatment Plan

While not all painful conditions can be cured or fixed, most of them can be treated in a manner to reduce pain significantly, and improve the patient’s ability to live a normal life. I prescribe a multimodal treatment approach to chronic pain, which utilizes evidence-based practices to reduce pain and restore function. Strategies used in a multimodal treatment plan may include lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, behavioral therapy, minimally invasive procedures, non-narcotic medications, among others. With this approach, a patient’s reliance on opioid or narcotic pain medications is minimized. These medications are more-or-less a Band-Aid, without actually altering the pain process within the body. Now more than ever, the dangers of these medications are evident when we see the local and national news coverage about the opioid crisis.

What to Expect

Curious about what to expect? During your first consultation with a pain management specialist at The Center for Orthopaedic Spine and Pain, we will perform a thorough review of your medical records, which often includes various labs, imaging studies, and other tests. We will then carefully listen to how your pain affects your day-to-day life, and perform a physical examination. In most cases, your pain management doctor will be able to identify the source of your pain. If not, we may order additional tests, or seek the expertise of colleagues. We then formulate a multimodal treatment plan aiming to reduce your pain and restore your function. You will play a vital role in your recovery and your health.

In many cases, your multimodal treatment plan will include the option of minimally invasive procedures. Combined with the other elements of your treatment plan, these procedures can significantly accelerate your pain relief and functional restoration. Most of these procedures are very brief and without any incisions, allowing you to return home within a few hours. Conscious sedation is available to provide maximum comfort to patients.

I look forward to meeting you, and will do my best to help you.

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