Chronic Pain

Managing chronic pain

Living with chronic pain makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks, concentrate or focus, sleep, and enjoy quality time with family and friends.

To be considered chronic pain, the pain must last for more than twelve weeks, or beyond the normal healing time for an injury. The initial cause may be related to but is not limited to medical issues, accidents or injuries.

Our dedicated pain management physicians offer a comprehensive consultation and diagnosis along with the creation of a customized treatment plan for each patient that is focused on reducing your level of pain and improving your quality of life.

Pain and conditions

Common conditions that we treat in the pain clinic, including but not limited to:

  • Back Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Cancer Pain
  • Neuropathic Pain
  • Headaches or Migraines
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Myofascial Pain Syndrome
  • Sciatica
  • Disc Herniation
  • Arthritis, Rheumatism, or Persistent Musculoskeletal Pain
  • Joint Pain (shoulder, arm/wrist, knee or hip)
  • Head and Neck Pain
  • Postoperative Pain Syndromes.

Contact your family physician to ask for a referral to one of our pain physicians.

Endocrinology

Our endocrinologists focus specifically on treating disorders associated with endocrine glands and their hormones. A proper hormonal balance is critical to many bodily functions such as reproduction, growth, metabolism, and mood.

Our dedicated endocrinologists are experts at diagnosing and treating hormonal imbalances, with a keen focus on caring for you. Symptoms of a potential hormone problem include excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, unexplained weight gain or loss, and sudden vision changes. You may be referred to an endocrinologist for any of the following conditions:

  • Diabetes
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Osteoporosis
  • Addison’s Disease
  • Excessive hair growth
  • Graves’ Disease
  • Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism
  • Cushing’s Syndrome
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Cholesterol issues
  • Growth issues
  • Fertility concerns
  • Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
  • Diseases and tumours affecting the thyroid, pituitary and adrenal glands.

When preparing for a visit with an ELNA Medical endocrinologist, be sure to track your symptoms carefully. Also, bring your provincial health care card, a list of prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking, as well as any questions you may have.

Prostate Biopsy

A prostate biopsy involves removing small pieces of prostate tissue during a transrectal ultrasound.

Prostate cells produce a protein called PSA (prostate-specific antigen). Your doctor may order a prostate biopsy if they find abnormalities during a digital rectal exam or if your PSA level is high.

What happens during a prostate biopsy?

Before the procedure, a rectal enema and antibiotic treatment are given to reduce the risk of infection. The prostate biopsy is performed by a urologist under local anesthesia to limit any discomfort associated with the procedure. During the procedure, the doctor conducts a transrectal ultrasound to accurately view the location of the sample. A self-triggering needle is attached to the ultrasound probe and inserted through the anus. The needle then passes through the rectum and into the prostate. Six to 12 samples of prostate tissue are collected. The procedure itself takes about 10 minutes, but you should plan for a 25-to-30-minute appointment.

Collected tissue will be analyzed under a microscope by a pathologist to detect the presence of cancerous cells. It takes about 4 weeks to send the results to your doctor.

Chiropody

Your feet are an essential part of the musculoskeletal system and help support your legs, knees, hips, and other upper extremities. They also play an important role in our posture and ability to stand and walk. Patients can self-refer or walk-in in Ontario.

Our chiropodists generally take a non-invasive approach to treatments and only use surgical methods when deemed necessary.

At Medicentres, we treat conditions including:

  • Back Pain
  • Hip Pain
  • Bursitis
  • Bone Spurs
  • Ankle Sprains and Strains
  • Toe Joint Pain
  • Ankle Pain
  • Knee Pain
  • Arthritis
  • Tendonitis
  • Leg Pain
  • Muscle Strains, Sprains, and Spasms.
  • Heel pain
  • Calluses and Corns
  • Bunions and Hammer Toes
  • Fungal Nails
  • Plantar Warts
  • Ingrown Toenails
  • Flat feet
  • Athlete’s Foot
  • Diabetic Feet
  • Fungal Nails
  • Morton’s Neuroma
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Shin Splints

Our chiropodists are dedicated to providing personalized care that gets to the root of your problem. If you’re suffering from one of the conditions listed above, please come and visit us today.

Social Work

Our social workers are also specialized in family intervention. The primary role of our social workers is to conduct a contextual analysis of patients by paying close attention to their individual circumstances, their interactions with others and their social challenges.

If you or your child suffer from anxiety or mental health issues, or are experiencing behavioral or emotional difficulties, a social worker will assess your needs and provide the treatment you require. Our professionals are committed to improving the health and social well-being of your family.

At ELNA Medical, we are committed to a multidisciplinary approach to address the challenges faced by our patients. Our professionals are dedicated to the health and well-being of you and your children, and work closely with other health professionals to address and treat any health issues you may be experiencing. We are proud to provide you and your loved ones with access to comprehensive assessments, follow-ups, therapies and referrals to the very best healthcare specialists.

Psychology

We use the most innovative psychological techniques and testing to get to the root of your issues.

If you or your child are experiencing psychological distress and difficulties that interfere with your daily life, our psychologists are trained to assess your needs and provide you with personalized treatment options. Our psychologists are trained to treat the following:

  • Loss of interest in your favourite activities and severe fatigue
  • Loss of appetite, feelings of emptiness and sadness
  • Learning to live with a chronic health issue
  • Coping with divorce
  • Child with learning difficulties and attention deficit symptoms
  • Coping with trauma after a serious accident.

Our dedicated psychologists offer counselling and therapy aimed at helping you deal with mental health issues or illnesses by paying close attention to your thoughts and feelings. We also offer individual and family therapy to treat pre-existing or newly diagnosed psychological disorders, as well as counselling for parents in relation to the emotional, social, behavioural, cognitive and developmental needs of your children.

Our goal is to identify and provide personalized treatment aimed at supporting and improving your mental health.

Podiatry

Our dedicated team of podiatrists and podologists are specially trained to examine, diagnose and surgically treat conditions of the foot and ankles. Using the very latest state-of-the-art equipment, our professionals are experts at diagnosing and treating all related dermatological and musculoskeletal issues.

If you suffer from gait or posture alignment issues, our podiatrists and podologists are here to help you get to the root of your problem and prescribe the most appropriate orthotics and corrective footwear. Our team is also skilled in performing the latest surgical procedures and prescribing medication in accordance with professional practice guidelines.

Our podiatrists are here to carefully assess your condition and provide you with the most personalized care. Make an appointment with one of our professionals today.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy services for adults provide assessment and diagnosis of various motor conditions and issues. Our team of experienced physiotherapists are here to help you if you have congenital disorders, balance issues, delayed gross motor development, postural deficits or cerebral palsy. Our mission is to improve the function, movement and strength of our patients.

There are many reasons to consult a physiotherapist. These include unusual pain during physical activity, and stiffness or ankylosis after immobilization. We recommend that you consult one of our physiotherapists if you suffer from muscular tension that causes headaches, pain and stiffness or chronic lower back pain.

Learn more at Kinatex

Cystoscopy

It is used both to diagnose or treat problems affecting the bladder and to monitor a lesion’s progress.

Your doctor may prescribe a cystoscopy in any of the following situations:

  • Unexplained blood in the urine (hematuria);
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections;
  • Lower abdominal pain in the bladder;
  • Suspected polyps or tumors in the urinary tract;
  • Problems with urination.

Cystoscopy procedure

The cystoscopy is performed under local anesthesia by a urologist using a cystoscope, a thin tube equipped with fiber optics or a mini video camera. The doctor first disinfects the urinary meatus (the opening through which urine exits the body), then instills an anesthetic gel into the urethra. The cystoscope is then inserted into the bladder through the urethra.

Once the cystoscope is inserted, the doctor instills sterile water into the bladder to fill it and gain a better view of surrounding walls. The images are displayed on a screen. The doctor performs a biopsy or, if necessary, removes any present foreign bodies. At the end of the examination, you will be asked to urinate in order to flush the water from your system.

A urine test may also be performed prior to the examination.

You may feel some pain and a burning sensation during urination in the hours following the examination. Please note that any discomfort is short-lived.

Hydrocele Drainage

It is a benign condition and is usually painless, but it can cause discomfort, embarrassment, or esthetic issues.

One possible treatment is hydrocele drainage, which consists of removing fluid from the scrotum with a needle. The procedure restores the volume of the scrotum and makes your symptoms disappear.

Although more common in infants at birth, hydrocele can also occur in adolescents and adults due to infection, inflammation, or injury to the testicles.

In young boys, a hydrocele will go away on its own by the time they reach 1 year of age. In men under 65 years of age, it may also disappear on its own after a while. This is generally not the case, however, if you are over 65 years old. You can seek treatment if your hydrocele is causing you pain, discomfort or embarrassment.

Hydrocele drainage procedure

Hydrocele drainage is performed under local anesthesia. After applying the anesthetic, the doctor inserts a needle into the scrotum until it enters the hydrocele. The fluid is then evacuated by suction. In some cases, a liquid called sclerosing fluid may be injected into the penis to prevent further accumulation of fluid in the scrotum. The procedure takes between 20 and 30 minutes.