The Clinical journal of pain
-
Comparative Study
Content comparison of low back pain-specific measures based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).
The objective of this study was to compare the content covered by the North American Spine Society Lumbar Spine Outcome Assessment Instrument, the Oswestry Low Back Disability Questionnaire, and the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). ⋯ Comparison based on the ICF provides insight into both the breadth of health dimensions measured as well as the thoroughness and depth of measurement. Therefore, it can be a useful tool when selecting specific measures for a study. Compared with other types of qualitative review, the most important advantage of the content comparison of measures based on the ICF is the use of an external and independent reference to which all the instruments can be linked and by which all the instruments can be compared. The three back-specific measures are comparable, with their common focus on physical aspects of body functions and activities and participation.
-
Case Reports
Intravenous regional block with lidocaine for treatment of complex regional pain syndrome.
The goal of this article is to report the successful treatment of a patient with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type 1 involving the hand with the use of an intravenous regional block. ⋯ Intravenous regional block with lidocaine was well tolerated and associated with relief in this case of CRPS type 1.
-
Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis with Botulinum toxin A: preliminary clinical results.
Based on recent results in chronic lateral epicondylitis we decided to investigate the efficacy of Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) for treatment of chronic therapy resistant plantar fasciitis. Nine patients with an average duration of symptoms of 14 months and at least two prior conservative treatments received a one injection of 200 units of BTX-A (Dysport) subfascially into the painful area. The patients documented pain at rest and during weight-bearing after 2, 6, 10 and 14 weeks by a visual analogue scale. ⋯ The effect was still present at the latest follow-up of 14 weeks. Similarly, the pain at rest was reduced to less than half of the initial value at any follow-up. All patients were satisfied and did not require further treatment.
-
In the pituitary of lower species, pro-opiomelanocortin is expressed in corticotroph cells of the anterior and in melanotroph cells of the neurointermediate lobe; enzymatic processing in the corticotrophs results in the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone, beta-lipotropin, or beta-endorphin. In the melanotrophs, these fragments are further modified, eg, by N-terminal acetylation. In the human pituitary, these enzyme systems are located within the same cells in the anterior lobe. We studied the reactions of the pro-opiomelanocortin system under preoperative conditions as well as under postoperative pain. ⋯ We conclude that the melanotroph-type pro-opiomelanocortin system is not activated under postoperative pain; the increase of corticotroph-type pro-opiomelanocortin fragment levels is different in quantity and proportion under preoperative conditions or postoperative pain, respectively.
-
To identify the sites and intensity of pain in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. ⋯ In these patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome, the major source of pain was the patella subchondral bone.