Residual pain after acute COVID-19 infection

Zeljko Kojadinovic, MD- Neurosurgeon and Pain Specialist

Residual pain after acute COVID-19 infection

Zeljko Kojadinovic, MD- Neurosurgeon and Pain Specialist

New studies followed hospital patients after they were discharged after Covid-19 infection. They showed that over 80% had at least one symptom nearly two months later and more than half still had fatigue and other symptoms. They are: breathlessness, a cough that won’t go away, joint pain, muscle aches, hearing and eyesight problems, headaches, loss of smell and taste as well as damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys and gut. Pain syndromes that remain after this infection can be various all over the body. The cause of them is remaining process after infection that causes a pain in some anatomical structures. For any pain treatment to be successful, it is important to identify:

Which anatomical structure is the source of the pain (pain anatomy).
What kind of pathologic process is taking place in that structure.

Pain anatomy means that every region of the body can have 10-20-30 possible sources of pain such as muscles, nerves, ligaments, joints, tendons, fascia, bursa, etc.

Pathological proccesses in or around these structures can include inflammation, pressure, strain, overstretching, spasm, neuropathy, etc. When anatomical sources and pathological processes are identified, success in pain treatment (healing or significant reduction) is achieved in 70-90% of patients. To determine which anatomical structure is the cause of pain, a long conversation with the patient covering all important details is essential. In everyday practice, this conversation is too often conducted without really “listening” to the patient and without entering into important details.

Examination of the patient must include specific examinations. There are great number of specific tests for different anatomical structures. An expert must have a good knowledge of the pain anatomy and extensive experience to know all the details which are important to assist in getting information about them from the patient and analyzing them.

Pain treatment includes mostly medications – It is very important to know different types of pathologic processes and to treat them with proper combinations of types and dosages of medications. It is always individual. During treatment it is important to monitor the situation and adjust therapy as necessary. The aim of this kind of treatment is to reduce the pain in a few days. It is important for the patient to maintain significantly reduced or no pain for at least 6 weeks in order to achieve a more lasting result. To provide this during this period, the doctor must be available to the patient at any time, so that he can easily contact him if the pain increases. By our approach, we can do this and tailor the combination of modern medications specific just for you. Contact us for a consultation.

Much is still unknown about how COVID-19 will affect people over time. However, researchers recommend that doctors closely monitor people who have had COVID-19 to see how their organs are functioning after recovery.