About Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is a persistent pain that adversely affects your well-being, level of function, and quality of life. It can be the result of an injury or infection, or there may be an ongoing cause of pain. If your pain is severe, our therapies may help you as they have helped more than 350,000 people around the world manage their chronic pain.1
Definition
Chronic pain is ongoing or recurrent pain, lasting beyond the usual course of acute illness or injury or more than 3 to 6 months.2
Causes
Chronic pain can result from an injury; surgery that may have caused nerve damage; spinal conditions such as degenerative disc disease; damage to the nerves; or other causes.
Symptoms
Symptoms of chronic pain can range from mildly uncomfortable to completely disabling. You may feel a sharp or stabbing pain, a burning sensation, or a dull muscular ache. Affected areas may feel tender or sore to the touch and the pain may increase with movement.
Diagnosis
You may have chronic pain if your pain has lasted more than 6 months. Talk to your doctor for more information.
References
- Medtronic data on file.
- APCA Consumer Guide to Pain Medication and Treatment,
2012 Edition. Accessed 1/30/13.
Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.
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