Pain management

If you are struggling with pain that is not being adequately controlled, it can be a relief to get specialist help from an expert in pain management. A doctor who specialises in this field is known as a Consultant in Pain Medicine and Anaesthesia.

Long-term (chronic) pain can have a significant, potentially life-altering, effect on daily life. If you are in constant pain, maybe even being woken up at night from your pain, it can have a massive impact on relationships, work, and your physical, mental, and emotional health.

At The Sloane Hospital in Beckenham, Kent, highly experienced Pain Management Consultants help manage chronic pain for people aged 18+. They would be delighted to help you too. Why not book your private appointment today? 

Chronic pain can take many different forms. People who visit us for help are commonly struggling with problems such as:

• Neck pain
• Back pain
• Sciatica
• Headaches
• Facial pain
• Nerve pain - this may include post-operative pain, phantom pain, or pain after shingles
• Fibromyalgia – a long-term condition that can cause pain all over the body

Anybody suffering with long-term pain will know just how exhausting it can be. Interrupted sleep, lower exercise tolerance, and the effects of trying to get on with life despite being in pain all takes a heavy toll. 

Chronic pain can easily lead to frustration, sadness, depression, or anger. 

A Consultant in Pain Medicine will work with you to determine how best to manage and relieve your pain. Treatment can be split into two categories: 

• Medication 
• Interventional procedures. 

It is important to know that not all types and causes of pain can be successfully treated. Your Consultant will work closely with you to ensure you receive the best possible treatment for your specific condition to deliver the pain relief you need. 

Pain management – medication 

There are some extremely effective pain relief medications available. However, it may take some time and adjustment to determine which will be the most helpful for your pain, and what dose is best for you.

Different kinds of pain medicine will help with different types and causes of pain. For example, pain caused by inflammation may be best treated with an anti-inflammatory drug, or a combination of paracetamol and an opioid (a strong painkiller that has a similar effect to morphine). Pain caused by a nerve issue will most likely need a different type of medication, one that causes a lowered sensation in the affected nerve.

Pain management – interventional procedures

Interventional procedures include:

• Nerve blocks
• Nerve root blocks
• Facet joint injections
• Radiofrequency denervation
• Trigger point injections 

Nerves allow the body to send messages (electrical impulses) to other parts of the body, to trigger a response. A nerve block is used to deliberately interrupt the signal received by specific nerves in order to help relieve pain. 

A nerve root block involves injecting an anaesthetic (and usually a steroid as well) directly into the nerve root (the point where a nerve leaves the spinal cord). The anaesthetic numbs the pain, and the steroid helps to reduce inflammation and swelling. This type of injection is usually targeted at one specific nerve, and X-ray guidance is used to ensure precision.

Facet joints are small joints in the spine that join the vertebrae (bones of the back) together. A facet joint injection involves injecting an anaesthetic and steroid into the facet joint.

An on-site centrifuge enables us to offer same-day Platelet-rich Plasma treatment.

Any injections given may be: 

• Diagnostic, to help confirm the cause of your pain
• Therapeutic, to help treat the problem and to relieve symptoms 

Radiofrequency denervation (also known as rhizotomy or RF ablation) uses radiofrequency waves to interrupt the function of the nerve. It is most commonly used to relieve pain in the back or neck.

Pain Management is a highly complex area. Due to it overlap with many other areas of medicine, your Pain Management Consultant will work closely with other experts like spinal and orthopaedic surgeons when required to ensure you receive the best possible pain relief. 

When you first meet with your Pain Management Consultant at The Sloane Hospital, they will take a medical history and talk with you in detail about your pain and any other symptoms you have. They may ask you questions like:

• What symptoms do you have?
• How long have you had these symptoms?
• Where exactly is your pain and how would you describe it?
• How is your pain affecting your daily life?
• Is there anything you are no longer able to do because of your pain?
• What treatment (if any) are you currently receiving for your pain?

Your Consultant has extensive experience of the effects of long-term pain, which ensures that your private appointment is a safe, relaxed environment to discuss what can often be difficult or emotive issues.

They will review your current treatment plan and/or medication and discuss possible changes or alternative options with you.

Depending on your symptoms and the type of pain you’re experiencing, you may be referred for further investigations. These may include X-ray, CT, MRI, or Ultrasound.

In some cases, your Consultant may discuss treatment options with other specialists such as spinal surgeons, neurologists, rheumatologists, and psychologists.

Pain management involves close collaboration between you and your Consultant, and they will be very happy to talk through any questions or concerns you may have at any stage.

Chronic pain can flare up at random intervals, and the effectiveness of a treatment may change over time. Pain management is not usually a one-time treatment. Rather, it involves regular review to ensure your pain is always managed as well as possible. 

People visit the experienced Pain Management Consultants at The Sloane Hospital for a variety of reasons. Many have been referred by their GP or another specialist such as a spinal or orthopaedic surgeon.  Others are directed our way by their private medical insurance provider or a friend or family member who has been helped by us previously.

While a medical referral can be helpful, you can self-refer to avoid delay.

We treat patients with private medical insurance and those using one of our self-pay options.

At The Sloane Hospital, will benefit from: 

Fast access to an expert – If you’re struggling with long-term pain, you won’t want to be added to a waiting list for months. We can book you a private appointment with an experienced Pain Management Consultant without delay, so that you can get the help you need as soon as possible.

Consultant-led care, always – Pain management requires a tailored approach, with regular review and adjustment as necessary to ensure you receive the pain relief you need. You will always see the same Consultant, giving excellent continuity of care throughout your time being treated by us.

Remote consultations available – Pain management consultations are usually carried out in person at The Sloane Hospital, but we can provide remote consultations by telephone or video call if preferred (and where clinically appropriate).

An experienced team – Your Pain Management consultant has fast access to specialists in other fields, including neurology, spinal surgery, orthopaedic surgery, radiology, and physiotherapy. Where additional expertise is needed, it is easily and quickly arranged on-site.

Location – The hospital is in Beckenham, Kent and is conveniently accessible by both road and rail. Our car park is free for patients. Excellent rail access from Central London makes it very easy for people in London to travel to us for treatment.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Sloane Hospital and helping to get your pain controlled and managed as well as possible.