On the National Day of Struggle Against Pain, the Multidisciplinary Pain Unit at ULS Santa Maria presented a success case in managing complex pain. José Silva, who suffered from intense and disabling pain due to multiple surgical complications, had his life transformed by an integrated and individualized intervention.
The pain, described as "electric shocks, stabbing, and burning," prevented José Silva from sleeping. Faced with this highly complex clinical situation, the Multidisciplinary Pain Unit team implemented multimodal strategies and unconventional techniques, achieving symptom control and restoring comfort.
"Last night I managed to sleep for seven hours without waking up," shares José Silva, who is hospitalized in the Vascular Surgery Department after the amputation of his left lower limb. "I was sleeping only one hour a night. I still can't believe I rested well." The intervention involved "numbing" the nerves in the groin and thigh with analgesics via catheters, a technique explained by anesthesiologist André dos Santos Rocha.
The multidisciplinary team, comprising doctors, nurses, and psychologists, coordinated by Teresa Fontinhas and part of the Anesthesiology Department directed by Filipa Lança, is now focusing on wound healing and infection control. The goal is to gradually withdraw strong medication and continue the patient's chronic care.
At the Multidisciplinary Pain Units, symptom relief is seen as the starting point for regaining the will to live, restoring hope and smiles, and reconnecting with family.
