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J Law Med Ethics 2020 Jun;48(2):241-248

Paul J. Christo, M.D., M.B.A., is Associate Professor, Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He earned a B.S. from University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, an M.D. from University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, and an M.B.A. from The Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business, Baltimore, MD.

Patients living with chronic pain require appropriate access to opioid therapy along with improved access to pain care and additional therapeutic options. It's both medically reasonable and ethical to consider opioid therapy as a treatment option in the management of chronic, non-cancer pain for a subset of patients with severe pain that is unresponsive to other therapies (e.g. Read More

Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol 2020 Jun 23;19(3):243-252. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran AND Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the common degenerative articular disorders that are related to decreased quality of life. Currently, novel biologic therapeutic approaches are introduced in the literature for OA management. In this study, the clinical efficiency of Dextrose prolotherapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and autologous conditioned serum (ACS) injection on the level of pain and function in Knee OA were compared. Read More

World Neurosurg X 2020 Jul 23;7:100079. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Neurosurgery Department, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.

Background: Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a progressive disease with potentially dangerous consequences that affect quality of life. Despite the detailed literature, natural history is unpredictable. This uncertainty presents a challenge making the correct management decisions, especially in patients with mild to moderate symptoms, regarding conservative or surgical treatment. Read More

J Bone Joint Surg Am 2020 Jun 11. Epub 2020 Jun 11.

Department of Orthopedics, NYU Langone Orthopedic Hospital, New York, NY.

Background: Although epidural steroid injection (ESI) may provide pain relief for patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis in treatment regimens of up to 4 months, it remains unclear whether ESI affects crossover from nonoperative to operative management.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 2 groups of surgical candidates with degenerative spondylolisthesis: those who received ESI within 3 months after enrollment (ESI group) and those who did not (no-ESI group). Annual outcomes following enrollment were assessed within operative and nonoperative groups (patients who initially chose or were assigned to surgery or nonoperative treatment) by using longitudinal mixed-effect models with a random subject intercept term accounting for correlations between repeated measurements. Read More

Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2020 Jun 18. Epub 2020 Jun 18.

Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Harran University, School of Medicine, Şanlıurfa, Turkey.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of combined periarticular and incisional injections versus periarticular injection alone of bupivacaine in reducing post-operative pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind comparative study, 90 patients with primary osteoarthritis who underwent TKA were enrolled. The patients were then randomly divided into 3 groups (30 in each): group 1, without injection; group 2, with periarticular injection of 20 mL 0. Read More

Pain Physician 2020 May;23(3S):S1-S127

Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Background: Chronic axial spinal pain is one of the major causes of significant disability and health care costs, with facet joints as one of the proven causes of pain.

Objective: To provide evidence-based guidance in performing diagnostic and therapeutic facet joint interventions.

Methods: The methodology utilized included the development of objectives and key questions with utilization of trustworthy standards. Read More

J Headache Pain 2020 Jun 3;21(1):62. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Danish Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Rigshospitalet Glostrup, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Valdemar Hansens Vej 5, DK-2600, Glostrup, Denmark.

Background: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of post-traumatic headache (PTH), which raises the prospect for therapeutic use of monoclonal antibodies targeting CGRP or its receptor. Therefore, we decided to assess the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of erenumab for prevention of persistent PTH attributed to mild traumatic brain injury.

Methods: A single-center, non-randomized, single-arm, open-label study of erenumab for adults aged 18-65 years with persistent PTH. Read More

Scand J Med Sci Sports 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

School of Health and Kinesiology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.

While the pathoetiology is disputed, a wide array of treatments is available to treat tendinopathy. The most common treatments found in the literature include therapeutic modalities, exercise protocols, and surgical interventions; however, their effectiveness remains ambiguous. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of systematic reviews to determine the ability of therapeutic interventions to improve pain and dysfunction in patients with tendinopathy regardless of type or location. Read More

Front Neurol 2020 7;11:388. Epub 2020 May 7.

MossRehab and Albert Einstein Medical Center, Elkins Park, PA, United States.

Botulinum toxin-A (BoNT-A) injections are first-line treatment for adult spasticity. Prior patient surveys have reported that BoNT-A treatment improves quality of life but that symptoms usually recur before the next injection. We aimed to explore, in-depth, patient perceptions of the impact of spasticity and the waning of BoNT-A therapeutic effects. Read More

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020 May 31. Epub 2020 May 31.

Center for Pain Medicine, Summa Western Reserve Hospital, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, USA.

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020 May 28. Epub 2020 May 28.

Anesthesiology, Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.

Introduction: Epidural blood patch (EBP) is a vital tool in treating postdural puncture headache (PDPH). Traditional interlaminar epidural needle insertion into the epidural space, however, may be challenging due to anatomical variations. As an alternative method, we successfully performed an EBP via transforaminal approach. Read More

J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2020 May 21. Epub 2020 May 21.

Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.

Background:  The use of sham interventions in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is essential to minimize bias. However, their use in surgical RCTs is rare and subject to ethical concerns. To date, no studies have looked at the use of sham interventions in RCTs in neurosurgery. Read More

Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2020 May;49(2):249-252

Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects the cardio-pulmonary function of pregnant women, the anesthetic management and protection of medical staff in the cesarean section is significantly different from that in ordinary surgical operation. This paper reports a case of cesarean section for a woman with COVID-19, which was successfully performed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine on February 8, 2020. Anesthetic management, protection of medical staff and psychological intervention for the pregnant woman during the operation were discussed. Read More

Endocr Pract 2020 Jun 15;26(Suppl 3):1-12. Epub 2020 May 15.

Improved glycemic control is associated with a reduced risk of diabetic complications. Optimal management of patients with type 2 diabetes includes nutritional therapy, physical activity, and pharmacotherapy for glycemic control. Most patients with type 2 diabetes are initially managed with oral antidiabetic agents, but as β-cell function declines and the disease progresses, insulin therapy is frequently needed to maintain glycemic control. Read More

Prog Urol 2020 May 9;30(6):353-364. Epub 2020 Apr 9.

Service d'urologie, centre hospitalier René-Dubos, Pontoise, France.

Background: Peyronie's disease is an inflammatory disorder of the penis, where scar tissue creates a plaque at the level of the albuginea, limits its extension, and leads to a bent and shorter penis during erections. There are no international standards for the evaluation and the treatment of the disease. The aim of this article is to review the current knowledge about the management of Peyronie's disease and to suggest an algorithm to help physicians evaluate and manage this condition. Read More

N Engl J Med 2020 04;382(15):1420-1429

From Brooke Army Medical Center (G.D.D., S.C.A., N.W.G., D.I.D., D.I.R.), the Special Warfare Training Wing, U.S. Air Force (B.R.H.), and the University of the Incarnate Word (E.J.P.) - all in San Antonio, TX; the College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati (C.S.A.); and Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, WA (D.I.R.).

Background: Both physical therapy and intraarticular injections of glucocorticoids have been shown to confer clinical benefit with respect to osteoarthritis of the knee. Whether the short-term and long-term effectiveness for relieving pain and improving physical function differ between these two therapies is uncertain.

Methods: We conducted a randomized trial to compare physical therapy with glucocorticoid injection in the primary care setting in the U. Read More

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020 Jun 3;45(6):424-467. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Neurology, VA Healthcare Center District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia, USA.

Background: The past two decades have witnessed a surge in the use of lumbar facet blocks and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to treat low back pain (LBP), yet nearly all aspects of the procedures remain controversial.

Methods: After approval by the Board of Directors of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, letters were sent to a dozen pain societies, as well as representatives from the US Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense. A steering committee was convened to select preliminary questions, which were revised by the full committee. Read More

Vet Med (Auckl) 2020 9;11:31-38. Epub 2020 Mar 9.

Department of Clinical Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.

Purpose: The use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to treat canine osteoarthritis has gained support within the scientific community. PRP effects on pain control for degenerative joint disease induced by naturally occurring cranial cruciate ligament instability are limited, particularly in a cohort of dogs with chronic instability and osteoarthritis (>12 months), representing a commonly encountered clinical population that often defaults to medical management. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of a single intra-articular PRP injection into an effected stifle in this cohort, to assess response to treatment, quantitative kinetic data as it relates to percent body weight for peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) were collected, and symmetry indices related to PVF were determined. Read More

Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2020 May;49(1)

Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China.

Since the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects the cardio-pulmonary function of pregnant women, the anesthetic management in the cesarean section for the patients, as well as the protection for medical staff is significantly different from that in ordinary surgical operation. This paper reports a pregnant woman with COVID-19, for whom a cesarean section was successfully performed in our hospital on February 8, 2020. Anesthetic management, protection of medical staff and psychological intervention for the patients during the operation are discussed. Read More

Clin Orthop Relat Res 2020 Mar 3. Epub 2020 Mar 3.

H.-S. Jung, K.-J. Chun, J. Y. Kim, J. Lee, J. S. Lee, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical Center of Chung-Ang University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Although palmar locked plating is a stable fixation method frequently used to treat unstable distal radius fractures (DRFs), surgical treatment may be painful, and so interventions to decrease that pain might improve our patients' experiences with surgery. Some surgeons use local multimodal drug injections to decrease postoperative pain after lower-extremity arthroplasty, but little is known about the effectiveness of a local multimodal drug injection in patients who undergo palmar plating for DRFs.

Questions/purposes: (1) Do patients who receive a local multimodal drug injection after palmar plating for unstable DRFs have better pain scores at 4, 8, 24, and 48 hours after surgery than patients who have not received such an injection? (2) Do patients who receive a local multimodal drug injection have lower fentanyl consumption and administration of anti-emetic drugs within the first 48 hours after surgery than patients who have not received such an injection?

Methods: A randomized controlled study was performed between August 2018 and August 2019 at a single tertiary care referral center. Read More

Ann Afr Med 2020 Jan-Mar;19(1):68-70

Department of Orthopedics, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare neuropathic pain disorder associated with severe pain, muscle weakness, limb edema and hyperhidrosis. Predisposing factors include fracture, surgery, stroke and spinal cord injury. CRPS may recur in the same limb or spread to other limbs to complicate management. Read More

Br J Anaesth 2020 05 13;124(5):562-570. Epub 2020 Mar 13.

Department of Perioperative Medicine and Intensive Care, Institute of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Advanced-stage ovarian cancer has a poor prognosis; surgical resection with the intent to leave no residual tumour followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard treatment. Local anaesthetics (LA) have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. We hypothesised that intraperitoneal LA (IPLA) would lead to improved postoperative recovery, better pain relief, and earlier start of chemotherapy. Read More

Quintessence Int 2020 ;51(4):330-333

Background: The twin block Injection is a novel nerve block that has been shown previously to be efficacious in the management of masticatory myofascial pain. Little is known about its effectiveness for reducing pain from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Case Report: A 19-year-old man presented with limited mouth opening with pain in the left side of his face. Read More

Niger J Clin Pract 2020 Feb;23(2):172-178

Department of Anaesthesiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Background: One of the drawbacks of subarachnoid block is the short duration of analgesia particularly when adjuvants are not added to local anesthetics agent used. However, dexmedetomidine an αadrenergic agent has been found to possess analgesic effect.

Aims: This study seeks to determine the analgesic efficacy of intrathecal 7. Read More

J Lasers Med Sci 2019 1;10(Suppl 1):S37-S42. Epub 2019 Dec 1.

Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

The management of Peyronie's disease (PD) has remained a therapeutic dilemma for physicians and there is no gold standard treatment. In this paper, we decided to investigate the beneficial effect of the intralesional administration of verapamil compared with the intralesional administration of verapamil plus a low-intensity laser (LIL). Research was activated from May 2016 to May 2018 and a total of 38 men aged 18 years and older completed the investigation. Read More

Anesthesiology 2020 04;132(4):702-712

From the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto (J.W.B., M.S., D.B., F.C., V.W.S.C., A.B., A.P.) the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Women's College Hospital (M.S., D.B.), Toronto, Ontario, Canada the Department of Anaesthetics, Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh National Health Service Foundation Trust, Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan, United Kingdom (A.S.).

Background: Intrathecal morphine is commonly and effectively used for analgesia after joint arthroplasty, but has been associated with delayed respiratory depression. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea may be at higher risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. However, data is limited regarding the safety of intrathecal morphine in this population undergoing arthroplasty. Read More

Minerva Med 2019 Dec;110(6):515-523

Unit of Rheumatology, Department of General and Specialty Medicine, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease which causes pain and functional impairment in adults over 50 years old with consequent important disability. Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for OA, thus the approach is characterized by multiple treatments that can manage its symptoms. Even though data from randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses indicate that intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA) offers the best benefit/risk balance among the various pharmacologic treatments to improve OA-related knee pain, there is a lack of agreement among national and international guidelines about such uses of IAHA for the medical management of symptomatic knee OA. Read More

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2019 07;2019:1985-1989

This paper presents a 2 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) remotely actuated needle driving device for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) guided pain injections. The device is evaluated in phantom studies under real-time MRI guidance. The force and torque asserted by the device on the 4-DOF base robot are measured. Read More

Orthop J Sports Med 2020 Jan 3;8(1):2325967119892331. Epub 2020 Jan 3.

Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Background: Rotator cuff pathology is the most common cause of shoulder pain in adults, accounting for nearly 70% of shoulder-related visits to clinicians. However, physical examination findings may be limited because of pain or patient inhibition.

Purpose: To establish whether a relationship exists between pain, range of motion, and strength in patients with a full-thickness rotator cuff tear. Read More

Pan Afr Med J 2019 14;34:88. Epub 2019 Oct 14.

Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.

Introduction: Opioids are a mainstay in sickle cell disease (SCD) pain care. Opioids are known to cause physical and/or psychological dependence. Increasingly, a significant number of Nigerian SCD patients ("Pentaholics") are observed to abuse pentazocine. Read More

PLoS One 2020 13;15(1):e0227688. Epub 2020 Jan 13.

Physiotherapy Department, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia.

Objective: To describe general practitioner's (GP's) current management of rotator cuff related shoulder pain (RCRP) in Australia and identify if this is consistent with recommended care and best available evidence. The secondary aim was to determine if GP management of RCRP changed over time.

Methods: Data about management of RCRP by Australian GPs was extracted from the Bettering the Evaluation of Care of Health program database over its final five years (April 2011-March 2016). Read More

Obstet Gynecol 2020 02;135(2):311-318

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Duke University Medical Center, and the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.

Objective: To compare pain control during vulvar biopsy after either application of 5% lidocaine-prilocaine cream or injection of 1% lidocaine.

Methods: In a single-site randomized trial, patients who needed vulvar biopsy on a non-hair-bearing surface were recruited from a gynecologic oncology clinic to compare lidocaine-prilocaine cream (placed at least 10 minutes before biopsy) with lidocaine injection (at least 1 minute prior). A sample size of 53 participants in each arm (N=106) was planned. Read More

J Clin Nurs 2020 Apr 20;29(7-8):1094-1101. Epub 2020 Jan 20.

Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, University of Health Sciences, Sultan Abdülhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

Aims And Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupressure on intramuscular injection pain, satisfaction and vital signs.

Background: Pain at the injection site may lead to discomfort and may affect patients' compliance to treatment.

Design: This was a prospective, single-blind, crossover study. Read More

Acta Neuropathol Commun 2019 12 23;7(1):217. Epub 2019 Dec 23.

Department of Anesthesiology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.

Perioperative sleep disturbance is a risk factor for persistent pain after surgery. Clinical studies have shown that patients with insufficient sleep before and after surgery experience more intense and long-lasting postoperative pain. We hypothesize that sleep deprivation alters L-type calcium channels in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), thus delaying the recovery from post-surgical pain. Read More

Pain Pract 2020 04 28;20(4):437-453. Epub 2020 Jan 28.

Division of Sports and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Introduction: Regenerative injection-based therapy has established itself as a therapeutic option for the management of a variety of painful musculoskeletal conditions. The aim of this work was to review the current literature regarding regenerative injection therapy for axial/radicular spine pain.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted on the use of regenerative medicine for axial/radicular spine pain. Read More

Arthroscopy 2020 01;36(1):287-288

Pretoria, South Africa.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that is difficult to manage and a major cause of disability in the elderly population. The use of ozone for treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is controversial and of interest. Although the exact mechanism of ozone for the treatment of KOA is not fully understood, it has been shown that ozone administration may promote oxidative preconditioning or adaptation to oxidative stress, which in turn will result in the stimulation of antioxidant endogenous system which prevents tissue damage. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2019 Dec;98(50):e18233

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon.

Percutaneous epidural neuroplasty (PEN) is an effective interventional treatment for radicular pain. However, in some cases, contrast runoff to the spinal nerve root does not occur. We investigated whether contrast runoff to the spinal nerve root affects the success rate of PEN and whether additional transforaminal epidural blocks for intentional contrast runoff affect the success rate of PEN in cases in which contrast runoff is absent. Read More

Clin Ter 2020 Jan-Feb;170(1):e15-e18

Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, "Sapienza" University of Rome.

Spinal Epidural Abscess (SEA) is a rare pyogenic infection localized between dura mater and vertebral periostium. The development of SEA is associated with the presence of medical co-morbidities and risk factors that facilitate bacterial dissemination. It is possible distinguish two type of SEA: primary SEA due to pathogen hematogenous dissemination and secondary SEA resulting from direct inoculation of pathogen. Read More

Osteoporos Int 2020 May 17;31(5):827-837. Epub 2019 Dec 17.

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.

Paget's disease is a progressive focal bone condition which can result in pain, low quality of life, deformity and other complications. Disease progression can be halted with potent bisphosphonates, resulting in improvement in both quality of life and pain, and normalisation of scintigraphy, plain radiographs and bone histology. Zoledronate has transformed the treatment of Paget's disease, producing sustained remissions in almost all patients. Read More

Anaesthesia 2020 05 17;75(5):599-608. Epub 2019 Dec 17.

Department of Anaesthesiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy causes discomfort in the immediate postoperative period. This randomised controlled trial investigated if intrathecal bupivacaine/morphine, in addition to general anaesthesia, could be beneficial for the postoperative quality of recovery. One hundred and fifty-five patients were randomly allocated to an intervention group that received intrathecal 12. Read More

Acta Vet Hung 2019 12;67(4):588-601

Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University, P.O. Box 71441-69155, Shiraz, Iran.

The study compares the effect of one-time administration of nonsteroidal and/or steroidal anti-inflammatory combinations by topical or intramuscular (IM) routes to pigeons with monosodium urate (MSU)-induced arthritis. Forty-five adult domestic pigeons were assigned into nine equal groups: NC, negative control; PC, positive control with arthritis; sham, sham control; T1, meloxicam + hydrocortisone; T2, dexamethasone + piroxicam; T3, meloxicam + dexamethasone; T4, hydrocortisone + piroxicam; T5, dexamethasone + hydrocortisone; T6, meloxicam + piroxicam. Arthritis was also induced in T1 to T6 birds. Read More

Med J Aust 2020 02 13;212(2):65-66.e1. Epub 2019 Dec 13.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide, SA.

Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2020 05 7;101(5):897-906. Epub 2019 Dec 7.

Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address:

Objective: To systematically review and evaluate the efficacy and complication profile of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection into the carpal tunnel for management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Data Sources: PubMed, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Sciences (from inception to January 1, 2019).

Study Selection: Controlled trials addressing PRP for CTS. Read More

Neurourol Urodyn 2019 12;38 Suppl 5:S71-S81

Department of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.

Background: This paper summarises the discussion in a think tank at the International Consultation on Incontinence-Research Society (ICI-RS) 2018 about the treatment of bladder pain syndrome.

Aims: To review the treatments of bladder pain syndrome from behavioural treatments to surgical interventions.

Materials And Methods: Review the literature in the light of the think tank discussions. Read More

Pain Med 2019 12;20(Suppl 2):S23-S31

Milestone Research Organization, San Diego, California, USA.

Objective: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) can lead to compression of the neural and vascular elements and is becoming more common due to degenerative changes that occur because of aging processes. Symptoms may manifest as pain and discomfort that radiates to the lower leg, thigh, and/or buttocks. The traditional treatment algorithm for LSS consists of conservative management (physical therapy, medication, education, exercise), often followed by epidural steroid injections (ESIs), and when nonsurgical treatment has failed, open decompression surgery with or without fusion is considered. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol 2019 Dec 18;33(4):465-486. Epub 2019 Jul 18.

Department of Anesthesiology, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address:

Chronic pain management techniques have evolved in recent years. With regard to this, ultrasound (US) technology has become a standard for most acute pain procedures and essential for postsurgical pain relief and enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. This manuscript summarizes clinical studies evaluating US use for chronic pain management and compares efficacy with standard techniques including fluoroscopy (FL). Read More

J Am Osteopath Assoc 2019 Dec;119(12):814-819

Context: Discogenic low back pain is the most common type of low back pain and is a major cause of morbidity worldwide. Current nonoperative treatment options are limited in efficacy and lack evidence of long-term pain relief; thus, there is an unmet clinical need for an effective treatment for patients with discogenic pain. Amniotic membrane and umbilical cord (AMUC) particulate may be useful in relieving pain and inhibiting the degenerative cascade in patients with discogenic pain by reducing inflammation. Read More

Yakugaku Zasshi 2019 ;139(12):1601-1608

Department of Pharmacy, Hokkaido University Hospital.

Paclitaxel (PTX)-associated acute pain syndrome (P-APS) is characterized by disabling but transient arthralgia and myalgia in up to 80% of patients administered with PTX. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely administered to patients with cancer who have pain or fever, and are mainly used to manage P-APS. In this study, we investigated how P-APS appear in the patients who were administered NSAIDs prior to PTX injection. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2019 Nov 30;13(1):353. Epub 2019 Nov 30.

Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan.

Background: Chemical coping is an inappropriate method for dealing with stress through the use of opioids; it is considered the stage prior to abuse and dependence. In patients with cancer, it is important to evaluate the risk of chemical coping when using opioids. There are some pediatric opioid use-related tolerances and addictions; however, no mention of chemical coping has been found. Read More

Complement Ther Med 2019 Dec 3;47:102192. Epub 2019 Sep 3.

Gülçin AVŞAR (Associate Professor): Atatürk University Faculty of Nursing. Department of Fundamentals of Nursing, Erzurum, Turkey. Electronic address:

This study was conducted in order to examine the effect of "Shotblocker" in relieving pain associated with intramuscular injection. The population of the study consisted of all the patients who were hospitalized in the hospital and received intramuscular diclomec treatment. In order to eliminate the individual pain differences, each patient constituted their own control group. Read More