Pain physician
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Chronic pelvic pain (CPP), defined as a noncyclical pain lasting for more than 6 months can lead to lower physical performance and quality of life in women. CPP is a worldwide problem affecting women of all ages. However, health care professionals and researchers, due to its complex nature and the lack of knowledge surrounding the condition, frequently neglect CPP. Subsequently, basic data and knowledge regarding CPP remain incomplete. ⋯ Based on these articles, prevalence in general ranged between 5.7% and 26.6%. There were many countries and regions without basic data in the field of CPP. This review shows the paucity of studies, especially multidisciplinary researches with multifactorial views on CPP. Multidisciplinary studies would provide more reliable data for estimating the prevalence of CPP and its psycho-socioeconomic burden, as well as finding its etiologies and characteristics. This would be the first step towards better treatment and care for women with CPP.
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Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a safe and effective pain therapy used to create sensory dysfunction in appropriate nerves via thermal damage. While commonly viewed as a simple process, RF heating is actually quite complex from an electrical engineering standpoint, and it is difficult for the non-electrical engineer to achieve a thorough understanding of the events that occur. RFA is highly influenced by the configuration and properties of the peri-electrode tissues. ⋯ A new paradigm for heating target tissue may be of value. Foremost in developing best practices for this procedure is avoiding pitfalls. Good RF heating and medial branch lesioning are the rewards for understanding how the process functions, attention to detail, and meticulous attention to electrode positioning.
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Propofol is a common induction agent that is utilized worldwide in the field of anesthesiology. In recent years, its potential therapeutic role in a variety of patient states has been demonstrated. Controversy exists regarding Propofol mediated analgesic and antihyperalgesic properties. ⋯ This clinical case demonstrates that Propofol could possibly have antihyperalgesic effects on opioid induced hyperalgesia caused by high-doses of chronic opioids and worsened by fentanyl. We postulate that a probable mechanism of complete pain relief after the procedure could be the inhibition of activity of the N-Methyl-D- Aspartate receptor by Propofol because it was the only agent the patient received during the procedure, causing a break of the cycle of opioid induced hyperalgesia. Additional research is required to clarify Propofol mediated or modulated analgesic properties in humans.
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The health and efficacy profiles of Gralise® in the treatment of pain from spinal stenosis and radicular symptomatology have not been measured. A review of the current literature indicates that no studies exist that evaluate the safety and efficacy profiles of Gralise® in the treatment of pain from spinal stenosis and radicular symptomatology. ⋯ Gralise demonstrated moderate efficacy with reduced pain intensity and increased sleep and was well tolerated in spinal stenosis patients with radicular symptoms.
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Although there are several studies of systemic corticosteroid therapies in various doses and various durations in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the outcome measurement parameters are limited to the range of motion measurements, edema, and symptoms of CRPS. ⋯ A short-term oral prednisolone therapy significantly reduced the symptoms and signs of CRPS, and improved the functional abilities and quality of life.