Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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An abnormal increase in spontaneous neurotransmission can induce subsynaptic knots in the myocyte called myofascial trigger points. The treatment of choice is to destroy these trigger points by inserting needles. However, 10% of the population has a phobia of needles, blood, or injuries. Therefore, the objective of this study is to verify the usefulness of shock waves in the treatment of myofascial trigger points. ⋯ Shock waves seem to be a suitable treatment for myofascial trigger points. In the present study, with a single session of shock waves, very relevant results have been obtained, both functional (normalization of spontaneous neurotransmission) and morphological (disappearance of myofascial trigger points). Patients with a phobia of needles, blood, or injuries who cannot benefit from dry needling may turn to noninvasive radial shock wave treatment.
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Review Meta Analysis
Postoperative acute pain management with duloxetine as compared to placebo: A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
Duloxetine has been used as an adjunct in multimodal analgesia for acute postoperative pain in clinical studies. This meta-analysis aims to conclude whether oral duloxetine, when given perioperatively, is any better than a placebo in managing postoperative pain. Effects of duloxetine on postoperative pain scores, time to first rescue analgesia, postoperative rescue analgesia consumption, side effects attributable to duloxetine, and patient satisfaction profile were assessed. ⋯ Based on GRADE findings, we conclude that there is low to moderate evidence to advocate the use of duloxetine for managing postoperative pain. Further trials are needed to replicate or refute these results based on robust methodology.
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This prospective longitudinal study compares outcomes between Medicare beneficiaries receiving percutaneous image-guided lumbar decompression (PILD) using the mild® procedure and a control group of patients receiving interspinous spacers for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with neurogenic claudication (NC). ⋯ This comprehensive study of real-world Medicare claims data demonstrated a significantly lower rate of harms for the mild procedure compared to interspinous spacers for patients diagnosed with LSS with NC, and a similar rate of subsequent interventions during 2-year follow-up.
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We explored the feasibility of single-division puncture in the ophthalmic division, maxillary division, and mandibular division of the trigeminal ganglion intumescentia (TGI) and the feasibility of radiofrequency treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. ⋯ Trigeminal ganglion intumescentia single-division radiofrequency is effective and feasible for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.
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Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) is a proven, effective treatment for refractory spasticity and chronic pain, with applications ranging from spinal cord injury to amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS). Despite its effectiveness, the withdrawal syndrome of intrathecal baclofen can be life-threatening. ⋯ This case demonstrates a successful approach to avoiding severe baclofen withdrawal using PO baclofen combined with PO diazepam. The high dose of maintenance ITB (1188.8 mcg/day), the inability to reinsert the patient's intrathecal pump, and the high risk of intubation in a patient with severe neuromuscular dysfunction all made this a challenging case.