Consider Chronic Pain a Condition in Itself
Question: What is the difference between acute pain and chronic pain? Massachusetts Subscriber Answer: This is a question that every pain management (PM) coder needs to know the answer to; luckily, we have an expert opinion on the matter. “Chronic pain is considered a disease itself,” explained Jessyka Burke, BSHA, CPC, COSC, CASCC, during her recent AAPC HEALTHCON presentation “Taking the Pain Out of Pain Management.” It can be influenced by environmental and psychological factors and is resistant to most medical treatments. Chronic pain might also be caused by nerve damage, medication abuse, or an underlying condition such as fibromyalgia. Chronic pain is typically dull, burning, or aching, and can come and go. To be considered chronic, the pain must persist for at least three months. Treatment for chronic pain can include physical therapy, medication — and often psychological care such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Since the PM provider must treat the underlying cause of the pain and the chronic pain itself, “the outcome is often a pain management program,” said Burke. “Acute pain often results from disease, inflammation, or injury to tissues. It generally comes on suddenly,” said Burke. Examples of acute pain can be pain from a burn, cut, or broken bone. Acute pain tends to be sharp, stabbing, burning, or shooting. Treatment for acute pain typically focuses on the underlying cause, explained Burke. This can take the form of surgery, though it is often something less involved: rest, ice, medication, etc. Chris Boucher, MS, CPC, Senior Development Editor, AAPC
