Pain Management
Pain management doctors are specialty-trained physicians who focus their medical practice on providing pain management care for patients suffering from an injury or condition involving acute or chronic pain, such as spinal injuries, joint pain, and nerve injuries. These doctors are able to offer nonsurgical treatment options and procedures, such as injections, nerve blocks, medication, and physical therapy, that can help treat or manage pain problems.
At Orthopaedic Associates, our pain management doctors, Dr. Jonathan Dunn and Dr. David Johnson, are recognized experts in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and conditions involving pain, including arthritis. Our pain management specialists have extensive training in pain management and are dedicated to providing you with the specialized, compassionate care you need to become stronger.
Expert Pain Management Care for a Stronger You
During an exam, our pain management doctors will begin assessing a patient by having them describe their pain. Our doctors will also ask them questions about the pain they are experiencing as well as details about their injury or condition. Following that, our pain management specialists will usually perform a physical examination to further assess the patient's pain. Our doctors may also request an X-ray or additional tests to better understand what is causing the pain. Once they determine the diagnosis, our doctors will create an individualized pain management plan that is specific to the patient's needs.
When our pain management specialists develop a treatment plan for a patient experiencing pain, their first step is always to consider nonoperative treatment options first, such as physical therapy, pain medication, or an additional alternative medicine. Our pain management doctors are highly skilled in pain medicine and are considered experts in the following procedures:
- Facet radiofrequency ablation
- Lumbar discography
- Spinal cord stimulator trials and implantations
Although every patient is unique, oftentimes there is a nonsurgical treatment that can improve or even eliminate the acute or chronic pain. However, sometimes the patient's acute or chronic pain will not respond to nonsurgical options or becomes so problematic that surgery is recommended as the best choice.
If surgery is determined to be the best option for you, our pain management doctor will refer you to one of our board-certified or specialty-trained surgeons that will work with you to create a surgical treatment plan that is right for your medical issue. Our surgeons are equipped with state-of-the-art technology as well as the knowledge and surgical skills needed to treat your medical problem and get you on the road to becoming stronger.
Signs You May Have a Pain Management Problem
Common signs and symptoms you may be experiencing if you have a pain management problem include:
- Acute pain
- Chronic lower-back pain
- Chronic pain
- Headaches and migraines
- Muscle spasms
- Neck pain
- Numbness and tingling
- Shooting pain
- Stiff shoulders
- Strained back muscles
- Stress-related muscle tension
- Throbbing
If you are experiencing any of the above for more than a few days or if any of them are getting worse, make an appointment to see a pain management doctor or an expert specializing in pain medicine. The doctor may diagnose you with one of the following injuries or conditions:
- A type of arthritis, such as osteoporosis
- Bursitis
- Complex regional pain syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Neuropathy
- Sciatica
- Spinal stenosis
- Sports injury
Orthopaedic Associates: The Strength of Experience
At Orthopaedic Associates, we are regional experts committed to providing patient-centered care. When you are seen by one of our experienced medical providers—from our pain management specialist and sports medicine doctors to our physical therapists and physician assistants—you can rest assured that you are receiving treatment from an experienced orthopaedic provider who is highly skilled in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of the musculoskeletal system.
As a team, our goal is to help you, educate you, care for you, and treat you with the same high level of care and respect we would want for a member of our own family. Throughout your entire orthopaedic experience, we will be by your side for every step—from your first appointment to your last.
If you are ready to start your journey to a stronger you with less or no pain, take the first step by calling us today at 850-863-2153 or by using the button below. We offer four convenient locations: Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville, and Crestview.
