Hertfordshire Pain Consultants' aim is to provide a comprehensive pain management package to those who suffer with persistent pain. We accept referrals from Hertfordshire/ Buckinghamshire/Luton/Bedfordshire and Harrow with assessment and treatment centres at Pain Clinics at Pinehill Hospital Hitchin, Spire Hospital Harpenden and Clementine Hospital Harrow.

What is Pain Management

Pain management is a medical speciality that deals with complex pain issues caused by a wide range of degenerative spinal conditions and nerve related conditions (neuropathy / neuropathic pain). Our pain management medical consultants work closely with other medical specialities such as rheumatology and spinal/ orthopaedic surgeons to provide pain relief and improvement in function.

Pain Clinic – Top 10 conditions treated

Pain Clinic approach

Many of our patients have seen a number of other doctors in the past and are understandably frustrated by the lack of diagnosis and lack of effectiveness of treatments. 

1.Listening to the patients

We dedicate an extensive period listening to your pain symptoms as these can provide many clues to the diagnosis.  On many occasions we use screening questionnaires that help us reach a diagnosis. An initial assessment can take up to 45 minutes.

2.Investigations

• MRI -Whilst MRI scans are useful for identifying tumours, infections, and large disc prolapses in the spine they are less accurate in identifing the cause in a number of degenerative spinal conditions and neuropathy (nerve) conditions. Research has shown that MRI scans can report abnormalities in patients with no pain, so it is vital to try and correlate MRI findings with your pain symptoms.
• Nerve conduction studies. These tests look at the functions of large nerves, and are particularly useful in conditions such as diabetic neuropathy and nerve compression such as carpal tunnel syndrome. However these tests do not assess the small nerves that carry pain signals and so a negative test does not eliminate neuropathy (nerve) pain.

3. Diagnostic injections

Injections (local anaesthetic) directed at nerves are highly accurate ways of diagnosing the cause of your pain.

• Nerve block – used in Sciatica and Spine-leg pain conditions
• Medial branch block – Gold standard test for assessing spinal arthritis

Pain Management Treatment

Our doctors will recommend a package of treatments that will include

• Medications
• Injection therapies :steroid based medications or advanced Radiofrequency techniques
• Exercise / Rehabilitation