Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Regional anesthesia simulation manikins with phantom skeletal structures are commercially available. Unfortunately, they are quite expensive. This article introduces our handmade, low cost, phantom for training of nerve block with fluoroscopic guidance. ⋯ Although it might lack radiographic fidelity, our inexpensive phantom can be used for basic training of nerve block with fluoroscopic guidance.
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To evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, and correlates of chronic pain in a population of predominantly employed, alcoholic patients attending an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program. ⋯ Chronic severe pain was prevalent in this predominantly employed, alcoholic population attending an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program. Pain was associated with significant functional impairment, medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and abuse behaviors. Few patients accessed adequate pain treatment. Efforts should be made to better address the pain problems in this patient population.
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Stretch injury to the brachial plexus may occur following traumatic flexion-extension of the cervical spine often seen in motor vehicle accidents or falls. Radiologic and conventional nerve conduction studies are negative in many cases. The present study was undertaken in an attempt to simplify, standardize, and quantify the positive and negative sensory abnormalities that are most often seen during the clinical examination. ⋯ Quantification of sensory findings may greatly facilitate and substantiate the diagnosis of this type of injury. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that brachial plexus traction injury causes dysfunction of small sensory fiber systems and results in a form of neuropathic pain.
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To determine if a pilot phase workshop influenced residents' beliefs and concerns about using opioids for chronic noncancer pain. ⋯ Residents' beliefs and concerns about using opioids for chronic noncancer pain changed after participating in a 4-hour interactive workshop.
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Single-arm prospective clinical trial. ⋯ Targeted disc decompression provided moderate improvement in leg pain and function in the majority of patients with chronic radicular pain.