Der Schmerz
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Cannabinoid drugs have been used increasingly in the treatment of neuropathic pain and spasticity. Even though the evidence still is scarce, patients with multiple sclerosis seem to benefit substiantially from cannabinoid therapy. In a case report dose finding and long-term therapie with delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol are described. ⋯ At the same time spasticity was reduced and appetite and weight increased. It still needs to bei discussed whether or not part of the positive effect on symptoms was probably mediated by psychomimetic effects. This case report shows, that dronabinol offers an additional therapeutic option in a palliative treatment concept for patiens with high symptom load.
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Surgical procedures in the region of the shoulder joint are among the most painful interventions in orthopedic practice. For this reason, in addition to intravenous pain therapy with opioids, blockade of the brachial plexus has become established as an effective method to provide analgesia. High-resolution ultrasound offers the possibility of performing nerve blockades under visual monitoring. ⋯ Smaller operations can usually be adequately managed with perioperative single-shot blockade. More extensive operations for which severe pain lasting for several days can be expected and surgical interventions involving preexistent shoulder stiffness necessitate catheterization for uninterrupted pain therapy. Successful rehabilitation after shoulder surgery requires diligent perioperative pain blockade, which can primarily be provided by interscalene plexus blockade.