Pain physician
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Combination therapy with a gabapentinoid and an opioid improves the quality of life (QOL) of patients with chronic pain. However, the role of combination therapy in patients with spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has not been evaluated. ⋯ Combination, drug therapy, gabapentin, multimodal analgesia, opioid, pain, pregabalin, spinal cord stimulation.
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The opioid epidemic has been called the "most consequential preventable public health problem in the United States." Though there is wide recognition of the role of prescription opioids in the epidemic, evidence has shown that heroin and synthetic opioids contribute to the majority of opioid overdose deaths. It is essential to reframe the preventive strategies in place against the opioid crisis with attention to factors surrounding the illicit use of fentanyl and heroin. Data on opioid overdose deaths shows 42,000 deaths in 2016. ⋯ Tier 1 includes an aggressive education campaign geared toward the public, physicians, and patients. Tier 2 includes facilitation of easier access to non-opioid techniques and the establishment of a National All Schedules Prescription Electronic Reporting Act (NASPER). Finally, Tier 3 focuses on making buprenorphine more available for chronic pain management as well as for medication-assisted treatment.
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Osteoarthritis of the hip joint is a common cause of pain and disability. Patients not responding to conservative management often cannot undergo joint replacement due to the presence of multiple comorbidities, while some other patients prefer to postpone surgery as long as possible. Radiofrequency denervation of articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves, which supply innervation of the joint, is a novel technique to reduce hip joint pain. Previous studies reported positive results after application of continuous radiofrequency to the target nerves; however, this approach carries the potential risk of neuritis and neuroma formation. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a safer alternative to continuous radiofrequency not creating necrosis but a complex neuromodulatory effect on target nerves. There is no published evidence of PRF efficacy after 3 month follow-up. ⋯ Hip joint pain, pulsed radiofrequency, obturator nerve, femoral nerve, interventional pain management, radiofrequency.
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Observational Study
Effect of Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation of Thoracic Nerve Roots in Patients with Cancer and Intractable Chest Wall Pain.
Interventional pain management is essential for patients with cancer who experience medically uncontrollable chest wall pain to help control their symptoms and improve their quality of life. However, there is a lack of data on this topic, so there is an urgent need for further research. ⋯ Radiofrequency ablation, thermocoagulation, thoracic nerve root, cancer, chest wall pain, radiotherapy, pain relief.
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Meta Analysis
Prevalence of Recurrent Herniation Following Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy: A Meta-Analysis.
Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) is a minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with a smaller incision, decreased damage to soft tissues, faster recovery, and fewer postoperative complications. However, the exactly epidemiological prevalence of recurrent herniation after PELD remains unclear. ⋯ Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy, prevalence, recurrent herniation, meta-analysis.