Question: Do you try to make solutions to help cure any side affects on the pain before and after surgery?

Kellie Jaremko answered on 27 Apr 2016:

Hi 765hemb24,

I do try and figure out the best solution, in this case combination of medications and therapy, that will decrease someone’s pain. Some types of pain (burning versus sharp pain) are better helped by different medications. Learning these differences through research and then educating other doctors what we’ve found can help even more patients. Right now one of my studies is looking at a less commonly used drug to treat pain in patients who require a leg or arm to be amputated (cut off while the patient is asleep in the operating room). There is still more we need to learn to decrease pain but we’re trying.