Chronic pain is emerging as a major health problem in India, but less invasive procedures offer hope

Chronic pain – defined as pain that lasts for more than three months – is quickly emerging as a major health challenge in India that will weigh heavily on the country’s social and health infrastructure in the years to come. So said pain specialists at the Interventional Center for Pain and Spine (IPSC), a chain of unique specialty centers providing spinal care and chronic pain management to cutting edge technology with less invasive techniques.

More than 19% of India’s adult population today suffers from chronic pain, the prevalence being higher among women (25%). The prevalence increases sharply beyond the age of 65, according to a survey. [1] This can be the tip of the iceberg, as Indians generally underestimate their health issues and prefer not to reveal their pain issues to others.

Noted Dr. (Maj) Pankaj N Surange, Managing Director and CEO, IPSC India: “Chronic pain will have a huge social and economic impact over the next two decades with significant spending on surgical treatment and hospitalization. It has a serious impact on work, with an increase in the loss of working days associated with chronic pain, especially low back pain. It also interferes with social life, daily routines like walking or exercising, caring for oneself and family, and leading independent lives. Many patients begin to suffer from depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping. Chronic pain does not occur in isolation. There are often a variety of mental and physical health issues behind this.

Speaking of the increasing incidence of chronic pain in India, Dr. (Maj) Pankaj N Surangesaid: “There has been a gradual increase in the number of elderly people in society due to the increase in life expectancy. This leads to an increased incidence of chronic pain. The younger population is also affected, mainly due to a sedentary and physically inactive lifestyle. The most common types of chronic pain that people face include spinal pain, joint pain, and migraine. Arthritis, degenerative conditions of the spine, and cancer are the biggest contributors to chronic pain.

Noted Dr Swati Bhat, Spine & Cancer Pain Interventional Consultant, IPSC India: “In the West, pain medicine has been a super specialty for the past three to four decades. In India, he is only 15-20 years old. Several hospitals across the country now offer pain management as a separate discipline. Until five years ago, Western protocols were used to manage Indian patients with chronic pain. However, now India specific protocols have been developed for better results. ”

Speaking of the treatment of chronic pain, Dr Swati Bhat said: “For most cases of chronic pain, less invasive and target-specific interventions (called interventional pain management) are better alternatives to open surgical methods because they involve less risk and trauma. for the patient. They are also much safer and do not require hospitalization. Since most of these non-surgical procedures can be done in a day care center, they cost almost half that of conventional surgeries. Patients can go home the same day. Early interventions not only relieve pain, but also reduce morbidity and improve quality of life. We currently have Indian protocols for all interventional pain management procedures, which is a big step forward. ”

Noted Dr Om Prakash Gupta, Senior Consultant, IPSC India who is a well known Orthopedic, Joint Replacement and Spine Surgeon: “In interventional pain management, patients with back pain, herniated discs, bulging discs, sciatica, etc. disk. Patients with arthritis of the joints are treated with regenerative interventions in their early stages to prevent progression. Pain in advanced arthritis of the knee, shoulder, hip, and spine joints is managed by radiofrequency procedures. Nerve pain, including neuralgia and neuropathic pain, is managed by drugs and neurolytic procedures. All of these procedures are done under local anesthesia and patients are discharged the same day. ”

A 2018 survey of 20,000 back pain patients in Indian metropolitan cities estimated that 46% of the population of Bengaluru in the younger age group suffers from spinal problems. This is one of the highest incidences in the country. About 43% of patients neglect their pain for more than 7 weeks, leading to delayed treatment and an increased risk of surgery.

Added Dr. (Maj) Pankaj N Surange: “With a better understanding of chronic pain and advancements in technology, pain physicians can now adequately control chronic pain and cure it in most cases. However, it is the responsibility of physicians to treat acute stages of pain promptly to prevent patients from sliding into chronic pain. ”