Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Review
Narrative review: Managing buprenorphine and opioid use disorder in the perioperative setting.
The opioid epidemic continues to have a staggering impact on millions of individuals and families across all socioeconomic levels and communities. Recent studies suggest high numbers of patients presenting for surgery with reported opioid misuse and/or opioid use disorder (OUD). Anesthesiologists often lack basic education to treat patients suffering with OUD or patients in recovery from this treatable disease. This manuscript will provide a review of the American Society of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine Multisociety Working Group Practice Advisory recommendations on existing OUD treatment barriers and perioperative management best practices; it will also demonstrate the benefits that greater involvement of the anesthesiologist can have in managing patients with OUD perioperatively.
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Cervicogenic headache (CEH) and occipital neuralgia (ON) are headaches originating in the occiput and that radiate to the vertex. Because of the intimate relationship between structures based in the occiput and those in the upper cervical region, there is significant overlap between the presentation of CEH and ON. Diagnosis starts with a headache history to assess for diagnostic criteria formulated by the International Headache Society. Physical examination evaluates range of motion of the neck and the presence of tender areas or pressure points. ⋯ The treatment of CEH preferentially consists of radiofrequency treatment of the facet joints, while for ON, pulsed radiofrequency of the occipital nerves is indicated. For refractory cases, ONS may be considered.
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Chronic pain (CP) affects 35.0%-51.3% of the UK population, with 67%-88% reporting sleep disturbances. Cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) have shown therapeutic potential in managing CP. Evidence suggests poor sleep worsens pain perception; therefore, this study aimed to assess patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following CBMP treatment in CP patients with and without co-morbid sleep impairment. ⋯ Whilst these results show promise for the effects of CBMPs on CP, they must be examined within the limitations of the study design. These findings provide further evidence to support the design of subsequent randomized controlled trials to verify causality between CBMPs and pain outcomes.
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Community reintegration is an important goal for people living with a spinal cord injury (SCI), and pain is suspected to limit reintegration due to its limitations in daily functioning, mood, and sleep. ⋯ It is not the mere presence of pain that influences community reintegration, but rather the severity and the location of pain. Shoulder care and pain management need to be included in the rehabilitation program, as these are important considerations when rehabilitating people with SCI back into their communities.