Articles: neuropathic-pain.
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Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve, and CTS can cause neuropathic pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between neuropathic pain, function of the upper limb, and the electrophysiology in patients with CTS. ⋯ However, there was a significant correlation between the pain DETECT and DASH-JSSH scores. Neuropathic pain affects the function of the upper extremities in patients with CTS.
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SUMMARY Painful HIV-associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN) is an early recognized neurological complication of HIV. The introduction of effective HIV treatments saw increased rates of HIV-SN, with some antiretrovirals (notably stavudine) being neurotoxic. ⋯ Despite its major clinical importance, the pathogenesis and determinants of pain in HIV-SN are poorly understood, and effective prevention and analgesic strategies are lacking. Here, we review what is known about the rates and risk factors for painful HIV-SN, the laboratory models informing our understanding of neuropathic pain in HIV, and the future clinical and laboratory work needed to fully understand this debilitating condition and provide effective management strategies for those affected.
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SUMMARY Contemporary clinical assessment of back pain is based on the diagnostic triage paradigm. The most common diagnostic classification is nonspecific back pain, considered to be of nociceptive etiology. A small proportion are diagnosed with radicular pain, of neuropathic origin. ⋯ The consequence of this is that in the clinic, diagnostic triage may erroneously classify patients with nonspecific back pain or radicular pain. A promising alternative is the development of mechanism-based pain phenotyping in patients with back pain. Timely identification of contributory pain mechanisms may enable greater opportunity to select appropriate therapeutic targets and improve patient outcomes.
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Background and purpose Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is widely used for the treatment of chronic pain, although its mechanism of action is not known. The evidence of efficacy of PRF for neuropathic pain (NP) conditions is limited. A double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled parallel study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PRF in the treatment of peripheral posttraumatic NP. ⋯ Conclusions PRF was well tolerated, but this study failed to show efficacy of PRF over sham treatment for peripheral posttraumatic NP. Implications Based on our results, we do not recommend PRF for peripheral posttraumatic NP. More research of the possible use of PRF for various pain conditions is needed to determine its role in the management of prolonged pains.
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SUMMARY The capsaicin 8% patch is licensed in Europe for the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain in nondiabetic adults. In controlled trials it provided pain relief for up to 3 months with a single 30- or 60-min application. In this article, a group of pain specialists from Germany and the UK share their considerable experience of real-world use of the capsaicin 8% patch. ⋯ Response to retreatment also appears to be equal to that of the first treatment, even in patients treated for the fifth time. It was also observed that patients receiving capsaicin 8% patch treatment are often able to reduce their intake of concomitant pain medications. Observations from real-life use of the capsaicin 8% patch will help to maximize its therapeutic potential.