Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Review Meta Analysis
Prevalence of problematic use of opioids in patients with chronic non-cancer pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis.
Opioid prescription for chronic noncancer pain is associated with problematic use. We aimed to review and summarize the evidence on the prevalence of problematic use of opioids in adults with chronic noncancer pain and investigate whether the prevalence rates were changing over time. ⋯ Our study presents an alarming estimate regarding the prevalence of problematic use of opioids among patients with noncancer pain. These results deserve special attention from health care professionals and health authorities.
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Chronic pain is a major public health concern, as is the associated use of opioid medications, highlighting the importance of alternative treatments, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS). Here, we present the final 24-month results of the Avalon study, which investigated the use of the first closed-loop SCS system in patients with chronic pain. The system measures the evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) elicited by each stimulus pulse and drives a feedback loop to maintain the ECAP amplitude near constant. ⋯ Over a 24-month period, the Evoke closed-loop SCS maintained its therapeutic efficacy despite a marked reduction in opioid use and steady decrease in the need for reprogramming.
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Review Case Reports
Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for Erythromelalgia Related Foot Pain: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.
Erythromelalgia is a rare neurovascular disorder characterized by erythema, warmth, and episodic burning pain, often felt in the face, hands, and feet. Symptoms are typically worse with heat, exercise, stress, and during the overnight hours. ⋯ To our knowledge, the use of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation for erythromelalgia-related pain has not been described. Herein, we present a case of erythromelalgia-related pain at the bilateral plantar surfaces of the feet, which was treated successfully with bilateral sacral S1 nerve root DRG stimulation.
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Pudendal neuralgia (PN) is an impairing neuropathic disorder, affecting both men and women, involving a severe burning and sharp pain along the course of the pudendal nerve. Treatment is often insufficient, and options are limited. Pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) is a technique which might be useful in therapy. ⋯ At long-term follow-up, 89% of the patients described their condition as "(very) much better." No serious side effects were observed. In conclusion, PRF is a successful treatment option in patients not responding to standard treatment options, including pudendal nerve blocks. PRF of the pudendal nerve can be used for PN to provide relief in patients' chronic pelvic pain.