Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jun 2008
Development of a symptoms questionnaire for complex regional pain syndrome and potentially related illnesses: the Trauma Related Neuronal Dysfunction Symptoms Inventory.
To develop a questionnaire to evaluate symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS-I), fibromyalgia, and repetitive strain injury to determine the test-retest reliability and investigate concurrence in the clinical manifestations of CRPS-I and fibromyalgia. ⋯ The TSI is a reliable instrument with good content validity, which can be used in the evaluation of similarities and differences between CRPS-I and fibromyalgia. The systematic evaluation of symptoms of CRPS-I and potentially related illnesses may provide a better basis for future research into the underlying mechanism(s).
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jun 2008
The relationship between repeated epidural steroid injections and subsequent opioid use and lumbar surgery.
To evaluate whether the use of epidural steroid injections (ESIs) is associated with decreased subsequent opioid use in patients in the Department of Veteran's Affairs (VA) and to determine whether treatment with multiple injections are associated with decreased opioid use and lumbar surgery after ESIs. ⋯ Opioid use did not decrease in the 6 months after ESIs. In this population, patients who received multiple injections were more likely to start taking opioids and to undergo lumbar surgery within the 6 months after treatment with ESIs. These findings are concerning because our data suggest that ESIs are not reducing opioid use in this VA population.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jun 2008
The experience of phantom limb pain in patients with combat-related traumatic amputations.
To describe the prevalence and characteristics of phantom limb pain (PLP) and the use and perceived effectiveness of standard medical and self-treatment methods by traumatic amputees with combat-related injuries. ⋯ With over 750 service members living with amputations from recent combat, PLP will continue to be a troubling problem that requires effective interventions. The discrepancy between perceived effectiveness of different treatment types supports the need for highly individualized pain management plans.
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Jun 2008
Self-reported driving habits in subjects with persistent whiplash-associated disorder: relationship to sensorimotor and psychologic features.
To study self-reported driving habits after whiplash injury and to determine any relation among self-reported driving habits, selected sensorimotor impairments, and psychologic features. ⋯ Persons with chronic whiplash have greater self-reported driving difficulty than controls, which appears to relate more to reported levels of pain and disability and psychologic stress than laboratory measures of features of cervical sensorimotor control.