Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Chronic pain--especially that which is refractory to conventional treatment--presents particular challenges to physicians and patients. Examination of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in this pathophysiology suggests that spinal instillation of therapeutic agents may offer an effective treatment option through the modification of the processing and sensation of chronic pain. ⋯ This article reviews chronic pain pathophysiology and the mechanisms whereby spinally administered analgesics may modify chronic pain. Available treatment options are also considered, including recommendations from the 2007 Polyanalgesic Consensus Conference (PACC) guidelines on the use of intrathecal agents for nociceptive, neuropathic, and mixed pain.
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Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a valuable treatment for chronic intractable neuropathic pain. Although SCS has gone through a technological revolution over the last four decades, the neurophysiologic and biochemical mechanisms of action have only been partly elucidated. Animal experimental work has provided some evidence for spinal as well as supraspinal mechanisms of neuropathic pain relief of SCS. ⋯ In this context, experimental studies are needed to elucidate which target pain neuron(s) are involved, as well as with what exact electrical stimulation this target neuron can be influenced to produce an optimal supapression of neuropathic pain. This article reviews the basic clinical and experimental technical aspects in relation to the effectiveness of SCS in view of recent understanding of the dorsal horn pain circuit involved. These data may then result in experiments needed for an improved understanding of the mechanisms underlying SCS and consequently lead to improvement and increased effectiveness of SCS in neuropathic pain as a clinical therapy.
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Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is characterized by narrowing of the spinal canal with impingement of the spinal cord by surrounding tissues of bones. Current management options for LSS include rest, medications, physical therapy, epidural steroid injections, alternative medicine, and surgical decompression. ⋯ The effect is debulking of tissue that is a contributor to lumbar canal narrowing with minimal trauma to surrounding tissue. This literature review presents a brief review of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and current treatment options for LSS and reviews the current literature regarding the efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness of the mild procedure.
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To systematically review the literature to date applying repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). ⋯ Studies involving excitatory rTMS/tDCS at M1 showed analogous pain reductions as well as considerably fewer side effects compared to FDA apaproved FMS pharmaceuticals. The most commonly reported side effects were mild, including transient headaches and scalp discomforts at the stimulation site. Yearly use of rTMS/tDCS regimens appears costly ($11,740 to 14,507/year); however, analyses to apapropriately weigh these costs against clinical and quality of life benefits for patients with FMS are lacking. Consequently, rTMS/tDCS should be considered when treating patients with FMS, particularly those who are unable to find adequate symptom relief with other therapies. Further work into optimal stimulation parameters and standardized outcome measures is needed to clarify associated efficacy and effectiveness.
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To systematically review the literature to date applying repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) or transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). ⋯ Studies involving excitatory rTMS/tDCS at M1 showed analogous pain reductions as well as considerably fewer side effects compared to FDA apaproved FMS pharmaceuticals. The most commonly reported side effects were mild, including transient headaches and scalp discomforts at the stimulation site. Yearly use of rTMS/tDCS regimens appears costly ($11,740 to 14,507/year); however, analyses to apapropriately weigh these costs against clinical and quality of life benefits for patients with FMS are lacking. Consequently, rTMS/tDCS should be considered when treating patients with FMS, particularly those who are unable to find adequate symptom relief with other therapies. Further work into optimal stimulation parameters and standardized outcome measures is needed to clarify associated efficacy and effectiveness.