Pain that persists after healing needs specialised care, say experts
Medical experts are emphasizing the importance of specialized care for chronic pain that persists after physical injuries have healed, such as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. A public awareness campaign has been launched in Karnataka to encourage patients to seek professional intervention rather than accepting chronic pain as inevitable.
Why it matters
It addresses a significant public health issue regarding the management of chronic pain and the availability of specialized medical services.
Months after a fractured wrist had healed, a 42-year-old homemaker from Mysuru was still unable to cook or even tolerate the touch of clothing on her hand. Despite repeated investigations confirming that the fracture had healed, she continued to have severe burning pain, swelling, stiffness and changes in skin colour.
She was eventually referred to pain specialists and diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), in which the nervous system continues to generate pain long after the original injury has healed. With specialised pain management, she gradually regained function and independence.
Pain specialists say such cases highlight the need to recognise chronic pain as a condition that may require specialised care.
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