Walking Can Significantly Reduce Chronic Knee Pain Risk

October 20, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Joint issues are a common source of pain for millions of Americans, and oftentimes it’s the knee joints where this degeneration and discomfort is most obvious. Knee pain can make every step a burden, which is why preventing knee joint deterioration is key. According to a new study, you may be able to do just that by taking a few more steps each day.

According to a new study by researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine, walking may be a powerful way to prevent and treat osteoarthritis of the knee. For the study, researchers tracked more than 1,200 individuals aged 50 or older with knee osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. Participants self-reported their walking habits and frequency, which helped researchers classify 73 percent of the group as walkers and 27 percent as non-walkers.

Walking And The Impact On Your Knees

After looking closer at the medical data between the two groups, researchers found that those who walked for exercise had a 40 percent decrease in the likelihood of experiencing frequent knee pain. X-rays were also used to assess for the progression and severity of osteoarthritis in the knees, and these images showed that walkers were less likely to experience medial joint space narrowing, which is one way to measure arthritis progression. Researchers concluded that going for regular walks could help to both control knee pain and slow to further osteoarthritis degeneration.

“These findings are particularly useful for people who have radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis but don’t have pain every day in their knees,” said first author of the paper Dr. Grace Hsiao-Wei Lo. “This study supports the possibility that walking for exercise can help to prevent the onset of daily knee pain. It might also slow down the worsening of damage inside the joint from osteoarthritis.”

Walking is such a simple act that can be performed almost anywhere, and it’s not overly stressful on the body. While it may not be able to cure you of your arthritis, it can help to maintain function in your knee, aid in pain control and slow continued arthritis progression, all of which are important for your quality of life.

So if you’re dealing with chronic knee pain, know that you don’t need to pursue an intense workout at the gym to help combat your symptoms and make your knee healthier for tomorrow. Simply lace up your walking shoes and walk for 30-45 minutes a day! And if you’re still looking for help overcoming a chronic pain issue, make sure you reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team. For more information, or for help with a different pain management issue, give our team a call today at (952) 738-4580.

Painkillers May Not Be Necessary After Some Knee And Shoulder Surgeries

October 14, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Medical researchers are always looking for more information about how they can help patients recover following a surgical procedure. The prevailing wisdom is that opioids and painkillers are needed to help patients manage discomfort following arthroscopic surgery, but new research found that these strong medications may not be necessary.

For the most recent study, researchers wanted to get a better understanding of how necessary opioid pain relievers were after arthroscopic knee or shoulder surgery compared to non-opioid pain relievers. To do this, they looked at 193 patients who underwent outpatient surgery on their shoulders or knees at three different participating hospitals. Roughly half of the patients received opioids for postoperative pain, while the other half received naproxen and acetaminophen for pain, as well as pantoprazole, a medication normally used to treat heartburn and acid reflux. Both groups had access to emergency opioids if needed to aid in pain relief.

Post-Op Pain Control

After six weeks, patients in the opioid group had used an average of 72.6 mg of opioids, compared to 8.4 mg in the opioid-sparing group. Two patients in the opioid-sparing group asked for opioid medication after their discharge. Researchers noted that there was no significant differences in patient satisfaction, pain levels or adverse events when comparing the two groups.

“This study clearly shows that many of these surgical patients can be treated safely without opioid medications in a select population,” said lead author Olufemi Ayeni, MD, a professor of surgery at McMaster and an orthopedic surgeon at Hamilton Health Sciences. “Furthermore, by reducing the number of opioids prescribed, we can collectively reduce the development of a reservoir of unused medications that can cause harm to many in society.”

More than one million arthroscopic surgeries are performed in the United States every year, and if it turns out that many of these patients can manage post-op discomfort without the need for potentially addictive and dangerous opioids, that’s a huge win. In fact, doctors have already started to make this shift. Data shows that since 2017, the number of opioid pills prescribed to patients undergoing minimally invasive surgeries has fallen by 50 percent, although that may be driven by a number of factors.

As we’ve always said on the blog, opioids can absolutely play a crucial role in a pain management program, but we have to be careful about becoming over-reliant on them. Opioids are never intended to be a long-term option, but they can certainly make it easier to participate in a rehab program after injury or surgery. Make sure that you take full advantage of the benefits of opioids when you need them most, and odds are you’ll find that you need them less and less.

For more information about appropriately managing pain after an injury or surgery, or for help overcoming a chronic condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today at (952) 738-4580.

Common Misconceptions About Chronic Pain And Treatment

October 7, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

Whether it’s because we read some bad information online or received some less-than-stellar advice from a relative, it’s easy to accidentally form some misconceptions about chronic pain or your pain condition. Unfortunately, these misconceptions can make it harder for patients to find relief because they are pursuing ineffective methods or don’t understand the best way to treat their condition.

In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the common misconceptions about chronic pain care, and we shed a light on some helpful truths.

Chronic Pain Misconceptions

Here’s a closer look at some of the common misconceptions we hear about pain and the pain care process, and why these statements simply don’t hold water.

There’s Nothing That Can Be Done For Me – We understand that chronic pain can be extremely frustrating to deal with on a daily or regular basis, but don’t let pain allow you to think that there’s nothing that can be done to help. We’re not saying that there is always a solution to completely rid you of your pain, but we are confident that we can help you find a treatment that makes things at least a little better. Whether that’s through symptom control or teaching patients how to alleviate stress and other chronic pain triggers, we know that we’ll be able to help you. Don’t assume that there’s nothing that can be done for your pain, because that’s simply not true.

Activity Makes Things Worse – We don’t want to paint with too broad a brush, but activity almost always helps to treat a chronic pain condition when performed in the right manner. We’re not saying you should get off the couch and run a marathon tomorrow if you have chronic knee pain, but getting active will serve to make structures stronger and better able to handle stress. This can help to calm inflammatory responses that are trigger chronic pain sensations. We understand that movement might be painful, but controlled activity that is matched to your current abilities and goals will almost always be best for you in the long run. Don’t become sedentary simply because movement is uncomfortable, because that can make problems worse.

Opioids Are My Best Treatment Option – As we’ve said countless times on this blog in the past, opioids can absolutely play an integral role in your treatment plan, but they are never meant to be a best option or a stand-alone option. Opioids can help to treat some of the most painful symptoms, but while pain is at bay you need to be pursuing actions like physical therapy and exercise that help to treat the underlying problem. Don’t assume that opioids are your only option or that they’ll be a long-term option, because they work best as a short-term compliment to a comprehensive treatment plan.

It’s All In Your Head – An unfortunate reality for many chronic pain sufferers is having to deal with people who think they are making their pain up or that it’s “all in your head.” We know that this isn’t true. Don’t let uninformed individuals guide your actions or cause you to doubt yourself. Pain is real to you, and that’s what matters.

Pain Is One-Dimensional – Finally, much of the focus of chronic pain and even chronic pain treatment is on the physical. However, chronic pain is much more complex than that. Chronic pain affects us physically, mentally and emotionally, and it needs to be treated as such. You need to connect with a provider who understands the total impact that chronic pain has on a person so that they can move forward with a multi-dimensional approach to treat the mental and physical aspects of the condition. Chronic pain is so much more than just physical pain.

To connect with a provider who understands how chronic pain conditions and care can get misconstrued, reach out to Dr. Cohn. He knows the obstacles that chronic pain patients face when searching for the right treatment, and he can help guide you to the right solution. For more information, or for help with a different pain problem, contact his office today at (952) 738-4580.

How Effective Are Nerve Blocks For Chronic Pain?

September 7, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

When a nerve is misfiring or being regularly irritated, it can end up causing chronic pain. When this happens, you need to sync up with a chronic pain specialist and figure out the best method for treatment. For some patients who have failed to find success through other conservative means, a nerve block could prove to be a very effective treatment.

In today’s blog, we take a closer look at how nerve blocks can be used in a comprehensive pain treatment plan.

What Is A Nerve Block?

A nerve block, as the name implies, is a type of treatment that helps to block out a painful nerve signal. You may be more familiar with nerve blocks than you think, as an epidural injection that a pregnant woman may receive during labor is likely the most commonly known type of nerve block.

In order to administer a nerve block, your pain management specialist will need a few different tools, including a needle and some specific guidance technology. A fluoroscope, ultrasound or CT scan can help to ensure that the needle is positioned perfectly in order to administer the solution to the problematic area. Once in position, the doctor will inject a solution that typically includes pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory drugs to help calm the irritated nerve.

Some conditions that may be managed with nerve blocks include:

Chronic pain
Arthritis
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Post-Surgical Pain
Headaches
Sciatica/Back Pain

Are Nerve Blocks Effective?

Yes and no. Nerve blocks are typically extremely effective at treating nerve pain in the short-term. Most patients feel much better before they leave the clinic, but these nerve blocks aren’t really considered a stand-alone, long-term option. Eventually the drugs will wear off, so it’s very important that you use this time to take some positive steps to help control your condition.

For example, if physical therapy or exercise is too challenging or painful prior to the nerve block, make sure you pursue these options if the nerve block makes movement more comfortable. We always say that nerve blocks should be part of a comprehensive treatment plan. Used in combination with other treatments like physical therapy, stretching, exercise, mindfulness, dietary adjustments and weight loss, you can certainly help to take back control from your chronic condition. The nerve block won’t do it alone, but it can help to make other treatments more effective, which is its real benefit.

So if you are interested in learning more about nerve blocks, or you’re wondering if a nerve block could help you better pursue other active treatments for your current health condition, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team. We’d be more than happy to answer any questions you have or develop an individualized care plan for your needs. For more information, give our team a call today at (952) 738-4580.

The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Online Chronic Pain Support Groups

June 9, 2022 / Thomas Cohn, MD

The advent of the internet has made it easier for people to connect with one another from all over the world. This is especially helpful in the pain management community. Many people may not know anyone else in their immediate circle dealing with a specific type of chronic pain condition, but they can connect with hundreds or thousands of individuals who are going through the same issue they are dealing with when they find a support group dedicated to that condition.

At the same time, support groups aren’t a perfect solution for your chronic pain issue either, and they can actually make it harder to overcome your pain if you’re not careful. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at some of the benefits and drawbacks of online support groups for chronic pain.

Benefits Of Online Pain Support Groups

We’ve recommended online support groups to patients in the past, and they have the potential to be a perfect complement to your comprehensive treatment plan. For starters, there is a huge psychological weight that can be lifted off your shoulders when you know that you’re not going through your issue alone. There are so many others out there dealing with similar issues, and you can share ideas and stories with one another to feel less isolated by your chronic pain condition.

In fact, in a study about chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, the most frequently mentioned benefit of an online support group was illness legitimization (67.8%). Two other benefits that were frequently mentioned were finding out new information (66.4%) and feeling understood by others (62.2%). Clearly sharing ideas and connecting with others was helpful for those dealing with an isolating condition.

Drawbacks For Online Support Groups

The same study also looked at some potential drawbacks associated with these pain groups, and they found some interesting results. Most notably, active members of the pain care group reported greater symptom severity and less illness improvement than inactive members or dropouts. Now, there’s many possible reasons for this result. Inactive individuals or dropouts may not lean on the group as much because their pain wasn’t as severe, so they may be more likely to find a solution that leads them to no longer need the group.

However, there’s also the hypothesis that over-dependence and heavy involvement in an online support group can negatively affect how you approach your pain condition. One of the most frequently reported reasons for dropping out of the group was too much negative talk or complaining (33.3%). If all you read about your condition is how horrible it is, how doctors are working against you and how there’s no hope for the future, those thoughts can make it harder for you to find the right treatment plan. You may be more likely to avoid the solutions you need simply because of misinformation and pain catastrophizing that can take place in these groups.

A number of these groups can connect you with wonderful people who truly want to help you find a solution to your pain, but like any online group, they can also be full of people who are angry at the world and use the group to spread their misery to others. Whether intentional or not, it’s important that you don’t allow yourself to focus on these negative comments and know that it will do nothing to actually help you overcome your condition.

We’d be happy to point you in the direction of some in-person or online groups where you can connect with others in the midst of their own personal pain battle. You don’t have to go through it alone, and you can also fight your battle with a pain management specialist by your side. For help with your pain condition, or for answers to your questions, reach out to Dr. Cohn and his team today.