Acute pain is the pain that develops as a result of an injury or surgery and tends to improve with the healing of the injury or surgery. On the other hand, chronic pain persists beyond the healing of the injury, surgery or removal of the cause of the tissue damage that caused the acute pain. Studies have shown that poorly managed acute pain is associated with a higher risk of developing chronic pain. Several theories behind the causes of pain transformation into chronic pain include central nervous system hypersensitivity and the brain’s natural ability to form new connections in order to compensate for injury or changes in one’s environment.
Medhat Mikhael, M.D. is a board certified Anesthesiologist and Pain Medicine Specialist at Hoag Neurosciences Institute. Please call 714/963-7240 to schedule an appointment.
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