Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Nerve growth factor (NGF) is essential for generating and potentiating pain responses. This double-blinded crossover study assessed NGF-evoked pain in healthy humans after repeated NGF injections in the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle compared with control injections of isotonic saline. ⋯ Repeated low-dose NGF injections maintain muscle pain and potentiate pain evoked by ischemic contractions during prolonged NGF hyperalgesia.
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Multisite chronic pain (MSCP) is associated with increased chronic pain impact, but methods for identifying MSCP for epidemiological research have not been evaluated. ⋯ Identification of MSCP with electronic health care data was insufficiently accurate to be used as a surrogate or screener for MSCP identified by self-report, but both methods identified persons with heightened chronic pain impact.
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Remote electrical neuromodulation (REN) is a nonpharmacological acute migraine treatment that stimulates upper-arm peripheral nerves. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of REN for acute treatment of migraine in a real-world setting. ⋯ Real-world data confirm that REN results in meaningful clinical benefits with minimal side effects. REN may provide an effective drug-free treatment option for achieving consistent relief from migraine symptoms and may reduce the use of acute medications.
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Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of chronic knee pain has traditionally targeted the superomedial, superolateral, and inferomedial genicular nerves. However, recent cadaveric studies of knee neuroanatomy demonstrate varied locations of these specific nerves as well as additional articular nerves. This work suggests that traditional genicular nerve RFA lesion locations may be inadequate. ⋯ These preliminary data suggest the feasibility and possible effectiveness of genicular nerve RFA using the described novel protocol including a three-tined electrode. Larger-scale studies with comparative groups are warranted.