[Can we prevent pain becoming chronic?].

Central aspects in the prevention of pain from becoming chronic are good management of acute pain, early recognition of risk factors and a multidisciplinary working approach. Postherpetic neuralgia can probably be prevented with a vaccine and medication. In the prevention of prolonged postoperative pains there is some evidence of the effect of local anesthetics and ketamine, but their clinical significance is unclear. Multidisciplinary therapeutic and rehabilitative actions can be taken to prevent prolongation and recurrence of lower back pain especially in patients having an increased risk of chronic pain.