Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can be beneficial for low back and radicular pain. A short trial of SCS evaluates the potential effectiveness of this therapy for a specific patient, while also decreasing the likelihood of a failed permanent implant. While rare, an epidural abscess is difficult to diagnose based on its nonspecific and unreliable clinical presentation. ⋯ An epidural abscess can rapidly arise from an SCS trial despite strict aseptic technique and prophylactic pre-procedural antibiotics. Spinal epidural abscesses are being detected earlier, and an increasing number of patients are being managed medically. However, it may be challenging to differentiate focal back pain from acute or chronic pain, expected post-procedural pain, and a new entity such as an abscess.
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The present study sought to examine associations between the pain-catastrophizing subcomponents and multiple pain-related outcomes in Japanese individuals with chronic pain. ⋯ The present results suggested the important role of helplessness across cultural backgrounds. It also provides guidance on the application of cognitive behavioral techniques for chronic pain management in Japan.