Current pain and headache reports
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Nov 2016
ReviewReview of Recent Advances in Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS).
Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) for the treatment of chronic pain has become an increasingly important field in the arena of neuromodulation, given the ongoing advances in electrical neuromodulation technology since 1999 permitting minimally invasive approaches using an percutaneous approach as opposed to implantable systems. Our review aims to provide clinicians with the recent advances and studies in the field, with specific emphasis on clinical data and indications that have been accumulated over the last several years. In addition, we aim to address key basic science studies to further emphasize the importance of translational research outcomes driving clinical management.
-
Postoperative pain results in multiple undesirable physiologic and psychological outcomes, and it should be managed in a multimodal approach. This article reviews the latest scientific literature of NSAIDs in the treatment of postoperative pain. The goal is to answer the following questions: (1) Are NSAIDs effective in the postoperative period? (2) Are NSAIDs safe in all surgical patients? and (3) Are adverse effects of NSAIDs increased or diminished in the acute postoperative period? ⋯ NSAIDs are safe and effective in the treatment of postoperative pain, and they should be administered to all postoperative surgical patients unless contraindicated. Based on literature, NSAIDs have been shown to increase patient satisfaction and decrease opioid requirements, minimizing opiate-induced adverse events. They have no increased incidence of adverse effects during the acute postoperative period. NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors, however, should be used with caution in colorectal surgery as they are proven to increase the risk of anastomotic leak.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Oct 2016
ReviewUtilization of Facet Joint and Sacroiliac Joint Interventions in Medicare Population from 2000 to 2014: Explosive Growth Continues!
Increasing utilization of interventional techniques in managing chronic spinal pain, specifically facet joint interventions and sacroiliac joint injections, is a major concern of healthcare policy makers. We analyzed the patterns of utilization of facet and sacroiliac joint interventions in managing chronic spinal pain. ⋯ While the increases were uniform from 2000 to 2014, there were some decreases noted for facet joint interventions in 2007, 2010, and 2013, whereas for sacroiliac joint injections, the decreases were noted in 2007 and 2013. The increases were for cervical and thoracic facet neurolysis at 911.5 % compared to lumbosacral facet neurolysis of 567.8 %, 362.9 % of cervical and thoracic facet joint blocks, 316.9 % of sacroiliac joints injections, and finally 227.3 % of lumbosacral facet joint blocks.
-
Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological condition. Treatment of SCI-related pain is challenging for the treating physician, as normal neural pathways are disrupted. Patients with SCI consistently rate pain as one of the most difficult problems associated with their injury. ⋯ Despite a better understanding of the underlying pain mechanisms and advances in procedural, pharmacologic, and non-pharmacologic therapies, treatment of pain after SCI remains elusive. This manuscript reviews the current evidence-based evaluation and management of the SCI patient with the overarching goal of providing appropriate and effective management of their pain. In particular, additional well-designed studies are needed to help elucidate effective treatments for SCI-related neuropathic pain in an effort to help provide these patients with better management of their pain and improve their quality of life.