Pain Management

The Division of Pain Management in the Department of Anesthesiology offers a full spectrum of treatment options for preventing and treating both acute pain (pain experienced in the aftermath of surgery) and chronic pain (pain caused by a chronic condition that requires regular treatment).

Acute Pain Treatment

For acute pain, a team of physicians offers the latest in patient-centered treatment including:

  • IV-PCA 
  • Epidural and continuous nerve blocks 
  • Ultrasound-guided blocks

There are enormous variations in the amount of pain a patient can experience after surgery. While some surgeries are relatively painless, in some cases advanced techniques will be utilized.

Patient Controlled Analgesia (IV-PCA)

  • Intravenous PCA offers the ability to control the amount of pain medication by merely pushing a button whenever you experience pain. 
  • When the button is pushed, the computer decides the safe amount of small dose of narcotic analgesic. Following the administration of a dose, you are "locked out" from getting any more medication for a particular period, (i.e. 5-10 minutes). 
  • After that, you can get more medication simply by pushing the button if the computer decides that it is safe and the lockout period is complete. 
  • The computer and pump are connected to your intravenous catheter.

Epidural Analgesia

  • Highly effective and recommended for larger surgeries including orthopedics, lung, and abdominal surgery 
  • Through a needle placed in your back temporarily, a catheter is placed so that medication can be continuously given. 
  • Although this involves a procedure before surgery, it often has better outcomes than IV-PCA alone.
  • This too is connected to a computer and pump to allow for extra doses in a controlled, safe manner.

Regional Anesthesia

  • Another method of pain relief is the administration of a nerve block and/or placement of a catheter near a nerve with continuous infusion of pain medicine.

Remember:

  • Once you are eating and drinking well, the need for these treatments is reduced, and oral medications are often utilized, and helpful.
  • No matter what the method of post-operative pain control is chosen, the Pain Management Team will monitor you daily to ensure your surgical experience is as smooth and painless as possible.

Chronic Pain Treatment

Chronic Pain conditions are variable and often complex. To find out about the conditions we treat and the services we offer, please visit the Division of Pain Management's homepage.

 

Pain Medicine Practice Offices

Lower Manhattan Office
156 William Street, 11th Floor New York, NY 10038

West Side Office
2315 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10024

Center for Comprehensive Spine Care
240 East 59th St, 2nd Floor, New York, 10022

Contact Pain Management

Phone: (646) 962-PAIN (7246)
Fax: (646) 962-0438

Contact Us

Dept. of Anesthesiology
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine
525 East 68th Street, Box 124
New York, NY 10065

Office of the Chair
Phone: (212) 746-2962
E-mail:  Office of the Chair, anesthesiology-chair@med.cornell.edu

Residency and Fellowship Education
Direct all inquiries to:
Phone: (212) 746-2941
E-mail: anes-programs@med.cornell.edu
For trainee verification inquiries: anes-verification@med.cornell.edu

Patient Billing Inquiries
Phone: (646) 962-5700