effective treatments of pain for extended periods of time are provided . through the administration of an effective amount of clonidine in a fiber at or near a target site , one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources , including but not limited to spinal disc herniation , spondilothesis , stenosis , discogenic back pain and joint pain , as well as pain that is incidental to surgery . when appropriate fiber formulations are provided within biodegradable polymers , this pain relief can be continued for at least three days .