Pain physician
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Long-term consequences of acute pain for patients under methadone or buprenorphine maintenance treatment.
Acute and chronic pains are reported to be highly prevalent in patients under opioid maintenance treatment (OMT). Lack of knowledge concerning the complex relationship between pain, opioid use, and their impact on OMT efficacy can account for the barriers encountered for pain management. ⋯ This study demonstrates the strong negative impact of acute pain on OMT in a population mainly composed of patients under buprenorphine, as well as differential response depending on the OMT medication. The findings highlight the need to consider the characteristics of pain in the population under OMT and to develop evidence-based guidelines for pain management.
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Comparative Study
Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy for L5-S1 disc herniation: transforaminal versus interlaminar approach.
Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is a minimally invasive spinal technique. The unique anatomic features of the L5-S1 space include a large facet joint, narrow foramen, small disc space, and a wide interlaminar space. PELD can be performed via 2 routes, transforaminal (TF-PELD) or interlaminar (IL-PELD). However, it is questionable that the decision of the endoscopic route for L5-S1 discs only depends on the surgeon's preference and anatomic relation between iliac bone and disc space. Thus far, no study has compared TF-PELD with IL-PELD for L5-S1 disc herniation. ⋯ This study demonstrated that TF-PELD is preferred for shoulder type, centrally located, and recurrent disc herniation, while IL-PELD is preferred for axillary type and migrated discs, especially those of a high grade.
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The spread of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) has been well documented. Many severe refractory long-standing patients have total body pain (TBP) that evolved from a single extremity injury. ⋯ TBP and objective sensory loss occur in 20% of patients with refractory long-standing CRPS.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Randomized clinical trial evaluating transdermal Ibuprofen for moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a common condition, typically treated with orally administered analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Chronic administration of NSAIDs, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs, i.e., duloxetine), and opioid medications (i.e., tramadol) is regularly associated with multiple, serious side effects, in part due to the route of administration. Transdermal delivery of NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, represents a potentially alternative treatment for this inflammatory pain condition with a better therapeutic profile. ⋯ NCT01496326.
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Pudendal nerve entrapment (PNE) is an uncommon cause of chronic pain. Pudendal nerve entrapment typically occurs when the pudendal nerve is fused to nearby anatomical structures or trapped between the sacrotuberous and sacrospinalis ligaments. Pudendal nerve entrapment can be caused by excessive bicycling, pregnancy, anatomic abnormalities, scarring due to surgery, or as a sequela of radiation therapy. ⋯ He was ultimately diagnosed as having a right sided pudendal entrapment neuropathy. His pain was refractory to all conventional treatment modalities; therefore we decided to pursue neuromodulation via a dorsal column spinal cord stimulator implant. Below, we describe the decision making process for the diagnosis and treatment of his pudendal neuropathy.