Pain
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Successful treatment of shoulder pain syndrome due to supraspinatus tendinitis with transdermal nitroglycerin. A double blind study.
We have conducted a prospective double blind randomized and placebo controlled clinical study in 20 patients with shoulder pain syndrome caused by supraspinatus tendinitis to determine whether transdermal nitroglycerin (NTG) has analgesic action in this condition. In a randomized manner we used a 5-mg NTG (Nitroplast) patch per day over 3 days or similar placebo patches applied in the most painful area. Patients were evaluated before treatment was initiated and after 24 and 48 h. ⋯ Two patients experienced headache as a side effect 24 h after treatment was started. Patients in the NTG group remained free of symptoms when they were assessed 15 days later. We conclude that NTG is useful in the treatment of shoulder pain syndrome caused by supraspinatus tendinitis and that this treatment could be a useful approach to the management of this common disturbance and probably also in other tendon musculoskeletal disorders.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Computer-controlled lidocaine infusion for the evaluation of neuropathic pain after peripheral nerve injury.
Systemic lidocaine has been reported to be effective in treating several neuropathic pain syndromes. Few reports relate plasma lidocaine concentration to analgesia and the available studies have been complicated by labile plasma lidocaine concentrations. We used a computer-controlled infusion pump (CCIP) to target and maintain stable plasma lidocaine concentrations and study the effect of intravenous lidocaine on (1) pain scores, (2) current perception thresholds, (3) side effects, and (4) pain distribution in patients suffering from peripheral nerve injury pain. ⋯ The computer-controlled delivery of intravenous lidocaine results in relatively stable plasma concentrations which allows a more thorough evaluation of the relationship between plasma concentration and patient response. This administration methodology for intravenous lidocaine may prove to be a valuable clinical and research tool.