Schmerztherapie in der Rheumatologie

Treatment of painful rheumatic diseases encompasses nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic measures. Pain of short duration usually responds well to nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs (NSAID) or “pure” analgesics. Treatment of chronic pain frequently requires a multitude of methods in individually tailored combinations. The selection of these methods depends on characteristics of the pain sensation, its localization, the underlying disease, and comorbidities such as depression or organ damage. Knowledge of the spectrum of pain treatment is a prerequisite for physicians and therapists treating patients with chronic pain.