Anesthesiology clinics
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Vertebral compression fractures occur more frequently than hip and ankle fractures combined. These fragility fractures frequently result in both acute and chronic pain, but more importantly are a source of increased morbidity and possibly mortality. ⋯ The history, technique, and results of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are reviewed. Both methods allow for the introduction of bone cement into the fracture site with clinical results indicating substantial pain relief in approximately 90% of patients.
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This article concentrates on recent evidence about opioid analgesics for persistent noncancer pain. Evidence confirms that opioids are drugs with a definite risk of adverse events. ⋯ Strong opioids should be reserved for patients who fail to respond to other lower-risk options and only after proper consideration is given to the long-term consequences of strong opioid use. Problems associated with opioids dictate that more efficacious and safer drugs need to be found.
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Anesthesiology clinics · Dec 2007
ReviewInvasive and minimally invasive surgical techniques for back pain conditions.
This article summarizes current issues related to invasive and minimally invasive surgical techniques for back pain conditions. It describes pain generators and explains theories about how discs fail. ⋯ Problems related to current imaging are also presented. The article concludes with a discussion about physical therapy.