Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of Auricular Point Acupressure on Axial Neck Pain After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
To evaluate the effect of auricular point acupressure (APA) on axial neck pain after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. ⋯ The findings supported the therapeutic effect of APA treatment on axial neck pain after ACDF surgery, and they exert the possible therapeutic effect on downregulating the levels of plasma IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α.
-
Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the gasserian ganglion through the foramen ovale and the glossopharyngeal nerve at the jugular foramen is a classical approach to treating trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN), respectively. However, it can be technically challenging with serious complications. We have thus developed a novel technique utilizing C-arm and computerized tomography (CT) guidance to block TN and GPN. Our goals were to describe a three-dimensional image-based technique to improve patient comfort and to decrease procedural time associated with needle guidance. ⋯ This study is limited by its small sample size and nonrandomized design.
-
It has been suggested that repeated overload might sensitize nociceptors, causing local hyperalgesia in patients with patellofemoral pain (PFP). This might also lead to generalized hyperalgesia, indicative of altered central pain processing. This study aimed to investigate differences in pressure pain threshold (PPT) as a measure of pressure hyperalgesia between patients with PFP and healthy controls and in predefined subgroups and to study associations between PPT and patient characteristics. ⋯ Local and generalized pressure hyperalgesia, suggesting alterations in both peripheral and central pain processing, were present in patients with PFP, though females with PFP were most likely to suffer from generalized hyperalgesia.
-
Rib fractures are present in more than 150,000 patients admitted to US trauma centers each year. Those who fracture two or more ribs are typically treated with oral analgesic drugs and are discharged with few complications. The cost of this care generally reflects its brevity. When a patient fractures three or more ribs, there is an elevated risk of complication. In response, treatments are often broadened and their durations prolonged; this affects cost. While health, function, and survival have been widely explored, patient billing has not. Thus, we evaluated the financial implications of one mode of treatment for patients with rib fractures: thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA). ⋯ Patients who received TEA were more severely injured and required longer treatments; controlling for these variables, the use of TEA associated with reductions in the cost of receiving care. From an administrative and insurance perspective, more frequent reliance on TEA may be indicated.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluation of the Impact of Physical Exercise in Reducing Pain in Women Undergoing Mammography: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
To evaluate the efficacy of exercise prior to mammography in reducing perceived postexamination pain. ⋯ Pre-examination upper limb exercises were most effective in reducing the perception and sensation of pain. However, women who performed lower limb exercises also had a decreased perception of pain compared with the control group.