The Clinical journal of pain
-
Patients with complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPSD1) may have thermal allodynia after application of a non-noxious thermal stimulus to the affected limb. We measured the warm, cold, heat-evoked pain threshold and the cold-evoked pain threshold in the affected area of 16 control patients and patients with complex regional pain syndrome type 1/RSD to test the hypothesis that allodynia results from an abnormality in sensory physiology. ⋯ This study suggests that thermal allodynia in patients with CRPS1/RSD results from decreased cold-evoked and heat-evoked pain thresholds. The thermal pain thresholds are reset (decreased) so that non-noxious thermal stimuli are perceived to be pain (allodynia).
-
Six patients with severe neuropathic pain caused by a Pancoast tumor were treated with the continuous administration of local anesthetics. These patients had not responded to any other treatment, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, dexamethasone, tricyclic antidepressants, anticonvulsants, ketamine, and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation. ⋯ We conclude that neuropathic pain may be treated by local anesthetics administered through an axillary catheter placed in the brachial plexus. This technique is reversible and is preferable to destructive procedures such as cordotomy.
-
One aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of scores on the Multidimensional Affect and Pain Survey (MAPS) that was administered before surgery to postoperative morphine consumption and patient-controlled analgesia. A second aim of the study was to compare the ability of MAPS administered postsurgery with the commonly used Numerical Pain Rating Scale to predict patient-controlled analgesia behavior. ⋯ The emotional states and attitudes of the patients toward pain before surgery are important factors in determining patient-controlled analgesia pressing behavior and postoperative demand for analgesics.
-
To determine the part played by drag on the pectoral girdle muscles of women in the production of pain in these muscles from breast weight being carried at the shoulders through the brassiere straps. ⋯ Presence or absence of muscle pain after the trial period. Long-term outcome was presence or absence of muscle pain and tenderness. Seventy-nine percent of patients decided to remove breast weight from the shoulder permanently because it rendered them symptom free.