ABSTRACT
The onset and origin of a chronic pain problem are sometimes not a clear-cut cause-and-effect situation. Any chronic problem is accompanied by emotional abnormalities of varying degree. However, some physicians who are not familiar with people who have chronic pain and related problems frequently mistake the resulting stress as a psychological problem. There is much confusion and misunderstanding on both the part of the person and the physician in the proper use of medications in the treatment of chronic pain. Blood testing often reveals vitamin, mineral, and other internal chemistry problems which relate to the chronic pain problem and act to perpetuate, aggravate, or initiate a chronic pain problem. However, with respect to the chronic pain treatment team, the orthopedic surgeon acts as a part of the “team.” In the treatment of chronic pain, the patient has to shoulder the major part of the responsibility for his or her recovery.
