A 78-year-old woman from Wadi, suffering from debilitating back pain and severe radiculopathy, was recently treated successfully at 1020 bedded Shalinitai Meghe Hospital & Research Centre, Wanadongri, Nagpur.
The patient was initially admitted to the Orthopedics Department with complaints of severe back pain, inability to lie down or stand, and continuous tossing due to excruciating pain.
She was unable to tolerate even minimal limb movement, with the Straight Leg Raise (SLR) test showing less than 10 degrees – a clear indication of nerve irritation. She was in visible distress and cried in pain during any attempt at physical examination.
Following detailed investigations including imaging and neurological assessment, the patient was diagnosed with Degenerative Disc Disease with Lumbar Canal Stenosis at L5 and S1 levels. Given the severity of her condition, surgical decompression was advised.
However, considering her advanced age and the associated risks, the patient and her family were hesitant to opt for surgery.
In light of their concerns, the case was referred to the Pain Medicine Department for non-surgical pain management. Dr. Kiran Vyawahare, Associate Professor and Pain Specialist, conducted a comprehensive evaluation.
After thorough counseling, she recommended a selective nerve root block as a targeted interventional approach to reduce the nerve inflammation and alleviate the patient’s pain.
The procedure was performed by Dr. Kiran Vyawahare, Pain Specialist along with Dr. K.A. Agarwal and Dr. Karuna Gaikwad, Fellows in Pain Medicine.
Dr.Anjali Borkar, HOD, Anaesthesia mentioned that the nerve root block was carried out with the patient’s consent and under stringent monitoring.
Within a week, the patient revisited the OPD – this time walking comfortably and expressing immense relief from the severe pain that had previously crippled her. This facility is especially beneficial for elderly patients or those unfit for surgery, offering non-surgical alternatives for pain relief.
Dr. Kiran Vyawahare emphasized that while such interventional procedures can provide significant symptom relief and improve quality of life, they are not a permanent substitute for surgery in structurally compressive pathologies.
However, for elderly patients unwilling or unfit for surgery, pain medicine offers a crucial bridge to mobility and comfort. This case highlights the growing significance of the Pain Medicine Department at Shalinitai Meghe Hospital and its role in delivering multidisciplinary, patient-centered care.
Dr.Vasant Gawande, SMHRC CMS stated that the Pain Clinic at Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Superspeciality Institute block operates on all working days, offering specialized care for patients suffering from chronic and complex pain conditions. Expert consultations are provided by Dr. Sunita Lawange on Tuesdays and Dr. Kiran Vyawahare on Thursdays.
The clinic addresses a wide range of conditions including chronic back pain, nerve-related pain, cancer pain, and joint or musculoskeletal pain. Advanced interventional procedures such as nerve root blocks, epidural injections, and radiofrequency ablations are performed to relieve pain and improve function.
With a focus on improving quality of life, the Pain Clinic plays a vital role in SMHRC’s patient-centered, multidisciplinary care approach.
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