Pain physician
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Comparative Study
Extended vs. Traditional Operating Table in C-Arm-Guided Percutaneous Balloon Compression of the Gasserian Ganglion for Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Prospective Study.
The degree of cervical extension required during percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) of the Gasserian ganglion for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) varies among patients, but the traditional operating tables often fail to fulfil each patient's individual requirements. ⋯ This study found that the extended operating table may be an alternative equipment option for C-arm-guided PBC of the Gasserian ganglion for TN.
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Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is often an option of last resort for patients with post-laminectomy syndrome or an alternative option for patients with complex regional pain syndrome, chronic nonsurgical low back pain, or painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy when conservative management has failed. Although SCS is a helpful option, it is not without complications that can frequently lead to explantation of the SCS device and dissatisfaction with the treatment. Furthermore, as with any technology, SCS has potential issues that may lead to patient frustration and ultimately result in patient noncompliance and lack of follow-up visits. ⋯ This paper, the first cross-sectional study of loss to follow-up among patients who are implanted with SCS devices, identifies that up to 19% of patients are quickly lost to follow-up after implantation. Only half of the patients in this study could be reached, with most successfully using their device for meaningful pain control, but a substantial number of patients likely required additional device optimization for pain relief.
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Post-COVID pain (PCP) is a condition that ensues from an infection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Some researchers have explored the prevalence of PCP and its characteristics in the individuals who experience it. However, most individuals involved in the previous studies were middle-aged, and those studies focused mainly on hospital patients and musculoskeletal PCP. Existing data on PCP and its subtypes among older adults and outpatients are scanty. ⋯ Our study found a PCP prevalence of 9.4% in nonhospitalized older adults who had survived COVID-19. Number of COVID-19 symptoms and history of previous chronic pain seemed to be potential risk factors for PCP. Neuropathic PCP was associated with lower QoL and a more severe depression level.
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Increasing enrollment in Medicare has coincided with reductions in reimbursement for various procedures, including interventional pain procedures. No previous analysis of state-to-state differences in Medicare reimbursement rates for practicing pain management physicians has been performed. ⋯ Medicare reimbursement rates for interventional pain procedures have decreased from 2014 to 2023, both nationally and in each region of the U.S. Our analysis suggests that certain states and territories have experienced less favorable reimbursement trends than others. This issue is worthy of attention as larger proportions of the U.S. population become eligible for Medicare coverage; should these trends continue, interventional pain physicians may consider moving their practices to areas that are less affected. Major efforts are required to preserve the quality of care that Medicare beneficiaries receive and to remedy the problem of depreciating reimbursement.
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Peripheral neuropathy is estimated to be prevalent in up to 12% of the population, increasing to 30% in older demographics. This makes peripheral neuropathy one of the most common neurological diseases in the United States. ⋯ PNS effectively treats chronic pain due to peripheral neuropathy for patients who have failed other conservative treatments.