Scandinavian journal of pain
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Background and purpose Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome, which affects up to 5% of the general population. The aetiology of FM is unclear. The lack of specific diagnostic laboratory tests or imaging options combined with the severe burden on both patients and society caused by the FM syndrome demands the development of valid instruments able to measure the current health status of the FM patients. ⋯ After this study Finnish fibromyalgia research can be included in those using the best-known instrument in validated form and native language. Current study showed also Finn-FIQ's ability to measure functioning of the FM patients, and it had good applicability among Finnish speaking patients. Therefore it can be recommended also for monitoring individual FM patients and their functioning for example during different treatment trials.
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Background and purpose A growing number of people are using computers. Shoulder and neck pain occur commonly during computer work. Peripheral and central sensitization may play a major role in establishing and maintaining several chronic pain conditions. ⋯ The development of pain during the computer work indicates peripheral sensitization as the predominant mechanism. Decreased pressure pain thresholds also in sites distant from pain areas may indicate a contribution from central sensitization in the subjects with chronic shoulder and neck pain. Implications The lasting pain after work and the reduced PPTs both in involved and distant musculature may indicate need for frequent pauses during computer work, especially when performed with time pressure and high precision demands, in order to avoid pain to increase and sustain after work, and thus to prevent the possibility of pain to become chronic.
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Pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is difficult to control. A recently developed and increasingly popular method for postoperative analgesia following knee and hip arthroplasty is Local Infiltration Analgesia (LIA) with ropivacaine, ketorolac and epinephrine. This method is considered to have certain advantages, which include administration at the site of traumatized tissue, minimal systemic side effects, faster postoperative mobilization, earlier postoperative discharge from hospital and less opioid consumption. ⋯ Regarding ketorolac, our preliminary data indicate that the risk for concentration dependent side effects may be highest during the first hours after release of the tourniquet. Implication Femoral block may be the preferred method for postoperative analgesia in patients with increased risk for cardiac side effects from ropivacaine. Administration of a booster dose of ketorolac shortly after termination of the surgical procedure if LIA was used may result in an increased risk for toxicity.