Pain management
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Epidural steroid injections (ESIs), which can provide significant but temporary pain relief in well-selected patients, are the most commonly performed procedure in pain management. The anatomy of the epidural space provides a framework for understanding risks associated with ESIs, a topic relevant to both patients and physicians in interventional pain, surgery and primary care. ⋯ Although major complications associated with ESI occur rarely, potentially catastrophic events resulting from infectious, hematologic and neurologic morbidity may lead to permanent injury. The safety profile of ESIs may improve with development and dissemination of sound injection technique, safer compounds manufactured in a sterile manner and deficient of thromboembolic potential and the application of existing technology.
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A multitude of studies have focused on individual additives to local anesthetics and their effect on quality, onset, duration, spread and selectivity, as well as the potential toxic effects of their use. This review aims to give a broad overview of the current evidence in this developing field, based on beneficial and adverse effects of these drugs. We discuss the limitations of the available data and hope to convey implications and future perspectives for clinicians and researchers alike.
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Review
Future implications of eHealth interventions for chronic pain management in underserved populations.
Many underserved communities, especially those in rural settings, face unique challenges that make high quality healthcare less accessible. The implementation of eHealth technologies has become a potentially valuable option to disseminate interventions. ⋯ Two major concerns are the lack of technological resources and the lack of appropriate materials for patients who may have low levels of reading, health and/or digital literacy. We will propose some recommendations to address common barriers faced by those providing care.
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Chronic postsurgical pain is a significant complication following major surgery, which impairs patient's quality of life. Opioid medications are the mainstay of most postoperative analgesic regimens. ⋯ There is a paucity of literature regarding the safe and effective management of postoperative pain as patients transition from the hospital to home/community. The introduction of a transitional pain service, whose aim is to optimize pain control, monitor and appropriately wean patients off opioid medications, prevent unnecessary readmissions post-discharge, and reduce disability associated with the development of chronic post surgical pain, will be of benefit to patients and the healthcare system.
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The field of pain medicine is at a crossroads given the epidemic of addiction and overdose deaths from prescription opioids. Cannabis and its active ingredients, cannabinoids, are a much safer therapeutic option. ⋯ To make progress, cannabis needs to be re-branded as a legitimate medicine and rescheduled to a more pharmacologically justifiable class of compounds. This paper discusses the data supporting re-branding and rescheduling of cannabis.