Degree Of Pain Reduction Research Articles

A systematic review and bayesian meta-analysis of medical devices used in chronic pain management

Whilst. pharmacological therapies remain the cornerstone of pain management in chronic pain, factors including the current opioid epidemic have led to non-pharmacological techniques becoming a more attractive proposition. We explored the prevalence of medical device use and their treatment efficacy in non-cancer pain management. A systematic methodology was developed, peer reviewed and published in PROSPERO (CRD42021235384). Key words of medical device, pain management devices, chronic pain, lower back pain, back pain, leg pain and chronic pelvic pain using Science direct, PubMed, Web of Science, PROSPERO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PorQuest and ClinicalTrials.gov. All clinical trials, epidemiology and mixed methods studies that reported the use of medical devices for non-cancer chronic pain management published between the 1st of January 1990 and the 30th of April 2022 were included. 13 studies were included in systematic review, of these 6 were used in the meta-analysis. Our meta-analysis for pain reduction showed that transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation combined with instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization treatment and pulsed electromagnetic therapy produced significant treatment on chronic lower back pain patients. Pooled evidence revealed the use of medical device related interventions resulted in 0.7 degree of pain reduction under a 0–10 scale. Significant improvement in disability scores, with a 7.44 degree reduction in disability level compared to a placebo using a 50 score range was also seen. Our analysis has shown that the optimal use of medical devices in a sustainable manner requires further research, needing larger cohort studies, greater gender parity, in a more diverse range of geographical locations.

Understanding general practitioners’ prescribing choices to patients with chronic low back pain: a discrete choice experiment

BackgroundAlthough NSAIDs are recommended as a first line analgesic treatment, opioids are very commonly prescribed to patients with low back pain (LBP) despite risks of harms.AimThis study aimed to determine factors contributing to general practitioners’ (GPs’) prescribing choices to patients with chronic LBP in a primary care setting.MethodThis discrete choice experiment (DCE) presented 210 GPs with hypothetical scenarios of a patient with chronic LBP. Participants chose their preferred treatment for each choice set, either the opioid, NSAID or neither. The scenarios varied by two patient attributes; non-specific LBP or LBP with referred leg pain (sciatica) and number of comorbidities. The three treatment attributes also varied, being: the type of opioid or NSAID, degree of pain reduction and number of adverse events. The significance of each attribute in influencing clinical decisions was the primary outcome and the degree to which GPs preferred the alternative based on the number of adverse events or the amount of pain reduction was the secondary outcome.ResultsOverall, GPs preferred NSAIDs (45.2%, 95% CI 38.7–51.7%) over opioids (28.8%, 95% CI 23.0–34.7%), however there was no difference between the type of NSAID or opioid preferred. Additionally, the attributes of pain reduction and adverse events did not influence a GP’s choice between NSAIDs or opioids for patients with chronic LBP.ConclusionGPs prefer prescribing NSAIDs over opioids for a patient with chronic low back pain regardless of patient factors of comorbidities or the presence of leg pain (i.e. sciatica).

Importance of Sacrotuberous Ligament in Transgluteal Approach for Sciatic Nerve Entrapment in the Greater Sciatic Notch (Piriformis Syndrome).

The efficacy of sciatic nerve decompression via transgluteal approach for entrapment of the sciatic nerve at the greater sciatic notch, called piriformis syndrome, and factors affecting the surgical outcome were analyzed. The outcome of pain reduction was analyzed in 81 patients with sciatic nerve entrapment who underwent decompression through a transgluteal approach. The patients were followed up for at least 6 months. The degree of pain reduction was analyzed using a numerical rating scale-11 (NRS-11) score and percent pain relief before and after last follow-up following surgery. Success was defined by at least 50% reduction in pain measured via NRS-11. To assess the degree of subjective satisfaction, a 10-point Likert scale was used. In addition, demographic characteristics, anatomical variations, and variations in surgical technique involving sacrotuberous ligamentectomy were analyzed as factors that affect the surgical outcome. At a follow-up of 17.5±12.5 months, sciatic nerve decompression was successful in 50 of 81 patients (61.7%), and the pain relief rate was 43.9±34.17. Subjective improvement based on a 10-point Likert scale was 4.90±3.43. Among the factors that affect the surgical outcome, only additional division of the sacrotuberous ligament during piriformis muscle resection played a significant role. The success rate was higher in the scarotuberous ligementectomy group (79.4%) than in the non-resection group (42.6%), resulting in statistically significant difference based on average NRS-11 score, percent pain relief, and subjective improvement (p<0.05, independent t-test). Sciatic nerve decompression is effective in pain relief in chronic sciatica due to sciatic nerve entrapment at the greater sciatic notch. Its effect was further enhanced by circumferential dissection of the sciatic nerve based on the compartment formed by the piriformis muscle and the sacrotuberous ligament in the greater sciatic notch.

What did COVID-19 pandemics teach us about single-fraction radiotherapy for painful bone metastases-State of the art or undertreatment?

Choosing the optimal treatment approach for patients with painful bone metastases during the COVID-19 pandemic became challenging. A simple technique, single fraction radiotherapy was recommended for these patients usually referring to bone metastases as a single entity, although it is a very heterogeneous group of patients. This study aimed to analyze the response to palliative single fraction radiotherapy in relation to age, performance status, primary tumor, histopathology, and bone localization in the group of patients with painful bone metastases. A clinical, prospective, non-randomized study was conducted at the Institute for Oncology and Radiology of Serbia, which included 64 patients with noncomplicated, painful bone metastases who underwent palliative, pain-relieving radiation therapy with a single tumor dose of 8Gy in a single hospital visit. Response to treatment was patient reported via telephone interview using visual analog scale. The response assessment was based on the international consensus panel of radiation oncologists. In the entire group of patients, 83% responded to radiotherapy. No statistically significant difference was observed in response to therapy, time to reach the maximum response, degree of pain reduction, nor in response duration depending on the patient's age, performance status, the primary origin of the tumor, histopathology, or location of the metastasis (bone) that was irradiated. Regardless of clinical parameters, palliative radiotherapy with a single dose of 8Gy can be considered very effective in quick pain relief in patients with noncomplicated painful bone metastases. Single fraction radiotherapy in a single hospital visit, as well as patient-reported outcome for these patients may be considered favorable beyond Covid pandemics.

Effective reduction of need for non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs on background of intra-artular introduction of sodium hyauloranate in patients with gonarthrosis

Introduction. Osteoarthritis (OA) in the Russian Federation is still not included in the list of socially significant diseases, despite the fact that this pathology limits the level of physical activity of the population more than diseases of the cardiovascular system, visual impairment and diabetes. European experts emphasize the relevance of research to develop methods to improve the effectiveness of viscosupplementary therapy in OA. The purpose of the study. To evaluate the efficacy, safety and long-term results of treatment of gonarthrosis with sodium hyaluronate.Materials and methods. The study included 180 patients with gonarthrosis with insufficient efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on demand and oral symptomatic slow-acting drugs against osteoarthritis (SYSADOA). The patients were randomized into three groups. Group 1: 50 patients who received sodium hyaluronate (Ripart®; Ingal, Russia) intra-articularly. Group 2: 30 patients received intra-articular SYSADOA (bioactive concentrate of small marine fish). The control group consisted of 100 patients who received drugs of the SYSADOA group intramuscularly.Results. An effective reduction in pain both at rest and during movement was achieved in most patients of all groups, but the treatment groups differed statistically significantly in the speed of achieving the clinical effect and its duration. In the 1st group, a significant decrease in the VAS pain index was observed already at the 1st week and by the 3rd month it was –49.1 % (p &lt; 0.001). In the comparison and control groups, the indicators of speed, the degree of pain reduction, and the duration of the effect of therapy were also significant (p ≤ 0.050). But the effectiveness of therapy in these groups was statistically significantly lower than in patients of group 1 (p ≥ 0.050). It should be emphasized that the intra-articular administration of sodium hyaluronate provided a significant reduction in the need for patients to additionally take NSAIDs. After 3 months of therapy, only 5 patients (10 %) of this group continued to take NSAIDs (p &lt; 0.001); 20 – completely stopped taking NSAIDs (40 %) and 25 (50 %) reduced the dose of NSAIDs taken, the duration of the effect lasted up to 12 months.Conclusions. In our study, sodium hyaluronate demonstrated high efficiency in reducing pain in patients with gonarthrosis and contributed to a significant decrease in the need for patients to take NSAIDs for 12 months.

Changes in the Vaginal Microbiota of Women With Secondary Localized Provoked Vulvodynia.

The etiology of localized provoked vulvodynia (LPV) remains unknown, but observations suggest the involvement of the vaginal microbiota. We examined the vaginal microbiota of women with LPV and healthy controls, upon after a low-oxalate diet (LOD). A total of 9 women diagnosed with secondary LPV and 21 healthy controls were recruited from the Galilee Medical Center in Israel and subjected to prospective evaluations of their vaginal microbiota. Total DNA was extracted from vaginal discharge samples provided before and after following LOD for 3 weeks and was then subjected to 16S sequencing. Data obtained were then used to evaluate α and β diversity, identify differentially abundant bacterial taxa in LPV, and determine their impact on the metabolism. These evaluations revealed decreased diversity in the vaginal microbiota of women with LPV and identified the Ochrobactrum genus and Pseudomonadaceae family as indicators for LPV. In addition, we identified 23 differentially expressed bacterial metabolic pathways between the LPV and control samples and revealed that LOD could induce changes in the β diversity of LPV vaginal microbiomes, which was further supported by some degree of pain reduction in patients. Localized provoked vulvodynia and LOD were associated with shifts in the vaginal microbiota. However, the impact of these changes on the development of LPV requires additional studies with a larger cohort.

The effects of inclusion of minimal-dose corticosteroid in autologous whole blood and dextrose injection for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders that causes pain. We evaluated the effect of the inclusion of a minimal dose of corticosteroid in a solution comprising autologous whole blood (AWB), 20% dextrose, and 2% lidocaine for treating LE. In this randomized prospective trial LE patients were allocated to the CS+ group (n= 70; solution comprising 1mL AWB, 1 mL 20% dextrose, 0.4 mL 2% lidocaine, and 0.1 mL (0.4 mg) dexamethasone palmitate; injected into the common wrist extensor tendon) or the CS- group (n= 70; same solution as above but without dexamethasone palmitate). Five injections were administered at monthly intervals. At each visit, pain intensity was evaluated using the numeric rating scale (NRS), and grip strength was measured using a hand-grip dynamometer. In the CS+ and CS- groups, 1 and 10 patients dropped out, respectively. In both groups, the NRS scores at each evaluation were significantly lower than the pretreatment scores. The NRS scores from pretreatment to the second and third visits were significantly lower in the CS+ group than those in the CS- group. However, at the fourth and fifth visits, and 6 months after the last injection (the sixth visit), the degree of pain reduction between the groups was not significantly different. Grip strength increased significantly over time in both groups. At each evaluation, grip strength was significantly higher than that at the pretreatment stage. However, the degree of increase was not significantly different between groups. The inclusion of a minimal dose of corticosteroid in the AWB and 20% dextrose injection can reduce pain, especially during early treatment.

Decompression of the Greater Occipital Nerve for Occipital Neuralgia and Chronic Occipital Headache Caused by Entrapment of the Greater Occipital Nerve.

Chronic entrapment of the greater occipital nerve (GON) can not only manifest in typical stabbing pain of occipital neuralgia (ON) but also lead to continuous ache and pressure-like pain in the occipital and temporal areas. However, the effect of GON decompression on these symptoms has yet to be established. We report the follow-up results of GON decompression in typical cases of ON and chronic occipital headache due to GON entrapment (COHGONE). A 1-year follow-up study of GON decompression was conducted on 11 patients with typical ON and 39 COHGONE patients with GON entrapment. The degree of pain reduction was analyzed using the numerical rating scale-11 (NRS-11) score and percent pain relief before and 1 year after surgery. A success was defined by at least a 50% reduction in pain measured via NRS-11 during the 12-month follow-up. To assess the degree of subjective satisfaction, a 10-point Likert scale was used. Postoperative outcome was also evaluated using the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain intensity score. The difference in GON decompression between the patients with typical ON and those with COHGONE was studied. GON decompression was successful in 43 of 50 patients (86.0%) and percent pain relief was 72.99 ± 25.53. Subjective improvement based on a 10-point Likert scale was 7.9 ± 2.42 and the BNI grade was 2.06 ± 1.04. It was effective in both the ON and COHGONE groups, but the success rate was higher in the ON group (90.9%) than in the COHGONE group (84.6%), showing statistically significant differences in the results based on average NRS-11 score, percent pain relief, subjective improvement, and BNI grades (p < 0.05, independent t-test). GON decompression is effective in chronic occipital headache and in ON symptoms induced by GON entrapment.

Decompression of the Greater Occipital Nerve for Persistent Headache Attributed to Whiplash Accompanying Referred Facial Trigeminal Pain

Persistent headache attributed to whiplash (PHAW) is defined as a headache that occurs for the first time in close temporal relation to whiplash lasting more than 3 months. We investigated the results of decompression of the greater occipital nerve (GON) in patients with PHAW who presented with referred trigeminal facial pain caused by sensitization of the trigeminocervical complex) along with occipital headache. A 1-year follow-up study of GON decompression was conducted in 7 patients with PHAW manifesting referred facial trigeminal pain. The degree of pain reduction was analyzed using the numeric rating scale (NRS-11) and percent pain relief before and 1 year after surgery. Success was defined by at least 50% reduction in pain measured via NRS-11. To assess the degree of subjective satisfaction, a 10-point Likert scale was used. Clinical characteristics of headache and facial pain and surgical findings were studied. GON decompression was effective in all 7 patients with PHAW manifesting referred trigeminal pain, with a percent pain relief of 83.06 ± 17.30. The pain had disappeared in 3 of 7 patients (42.9%) within 6 months and no further treatment was needed. Patients' assessment of subjective improvement based on a 10-point Likert scale was 7.23 ± 1.25. It was effective in both occipital and facial pain. Although chronic GON entrapment itself is an individual constitutional issue, postwhiplash inflammatory changes seem to trigger chronic occipital headaches in GON distribution and unexplained referred trigeminal pain caused by sensitization of the trigeminocervical complex.

Efficacy of local hyaluronidase administration in guided bone regeneration surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

ObjectivesHyaluronoglucosaminidase (hyaluronidase) increases the local intercellular permeability of the peripheral lymphatic channel and capillaries, which may help reduce edema. In the present study, the effects of hyaluronidase on postoperative edema and pain reduction were evaluated.Materials and MethodsThe study included 38 patients who underwent guided bone regeneration (GBR) surgery before implantation. Patients were randomly assigned to either the control group (n=20) or the test group (n=18). Hyaluronidase was injected into the GBR site of subjects in the test group. Postoperative edema was evaluated by measuring the distance between specific facial landmarks immediately after surgery (T1) and 2-4 days after surgery (T2). The degree of pain at T2 and at 10-14 days after surgery (T3) was assessed.ResultsIn the test group, the degree of swelling was lower than in the control group, however, only two measurements, from the tragus to the mouth corner and from the outer canthus to the mouth corner, showed statistically significant differences (P=0.012 and P=0.001, respectively). The anti-edema effect of hyaluronidase was more effective in the maxilla than in the mandible. In the maxilla, the percentage of facial swelling was significant for three measurements. However, in the mandible, the percentage of facial swelling was significant for only one measurement. Low levels of pain that were similar at T2 and T3 were reported in both groups.ConclusionThe results indicate the degree of swelling was lower in the test group and hyaluronidase appeared to be more effective in the maxilla. The degree of pain reduction was similar between groups. Further in vivo and randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are warranted.

Comparative study between oral acetaminophen and lidocaine spray on endotracheal tube-related sore throat in adult intensive care

ackground/Purpose: Endotracheal tube (ETT)-related sore throat is a common source of stress in intensive care. Quantitative studies on therapy for ETT-related sore throat remain limited. The current study evaluated the therapeutic effects of oral acetaminophen (ACT) and lidocaine (LIDO) spray on pain relief for ETT-related sore throat in intensive care. Methods: Patients who could communicate with caregivers non-verbally and who had acquired ETT-related sore throat at a medical intensive care unit (ICU) were enrolled. The medications were dispensed at the request of the patients. The intensity of ETT-related throat pain was recorded for quantitative comparison before and after patients received 500 mg of ACT orally or one dose of 10% LIDO spray locally. Before leaving the ICU, the patients were interviewed by a research nurse to assess the effect of these interventions on satisfaction with pain management for ETT-related sore throat. Results: We enrolled 89 patients during the study period, and the intensity of ETT-related throat pain significantly decreased after treatment (6.97 in 5 min before vs. 3.60 in 120 min after oral ACT, P &lt; 0.001; 8.56 in 5 min before vs. 4.12 in 120 min after LIDO application, P &lt; 0.001). The degree of pain reduction over time differed between the ACT and LIDO groups. Patients in the LIDO group made more requests for additional therapy compared with patients in the ACT group (1 LIDO spray per request for an average of 4.7 requests vs. 1 ACT dose per request for an average of 1.3 requests, P &lt; 0.001). Patients in both the ACT and LIDO groups reported high satisfaction with pain management for ETT-related sore throat (87.3 of 100 vs. 86.5 of 100, respectively, P = 0.805). Conclusion: ACT and LIDO treatment can effectively attenuate ETT-related sore throat. Patients were highly satisfied with pain management for ETT-related sore throat after both oral ACT and local LIDO application.

Non-inferiority study of the efficacy of two hyaluronic acid products in post-extraction sockets of impacted third molars

BackgroundHyaluronic acid (HA) is well known to exert an anti-inflammatory effect during oral wound healing and is commonly applied after tooth extraction. However, no double-blind randomized controlled study comparing two hyaluronate mouthwash products has been conducted so far. The aim of this study was to comparatively analyze the efficacy of Mucobarrier® and Aloclair® in terms of clinical symptoms.ResultsA total of 112 patients were randomly assigned to assess the degree of discomfort, pain reduction, redness, burning sensation, and swelling between two groups on the day of surgery and 7 days later in a double blind test, with a total 56 Aloclair patients and 56 Mucobarrier patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall discomfort, degree of pain reduction, redness, burning sensation, and swelling between the Mucobarrier and Aloclair groups.ConclusionThe local application of hyaluronic acid mouth wash after wisdom tooth extraction is beneficial in reducing overall discomfort and pain reduction, and the clinical utility of Mucobarrier® is no different from Aloclair®.Trial registrationInstitutional Review Board of Yonsei University College of Dentistry, 2-2018-0036. Registered 10 September 2018—prospectively registered, https://eirb.yuhs.ac/

Impaired Vagal Efficiency Predicts Auricular Neurostimulation Response in Adolescent Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders

To determine whether pretreatment vagal efficiency (VE), respiratory sinus arrhythmia, and heart period can predict pain improvement with auricular neurostimulation in pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders. A total of 92 adolescents with functional abdominal pain disorders underwent a 4-week randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled auricular neurostimulation trial. Electrocardiogram-derived variables at baseline were used to predict pain using mixed effects modeling. A 3-way interaction (95% confidence intervals: 0.004-0.494) showed that the treatment group subjects with low baseline VE had lower pain scores at week 3. There was no substantial change in the placebo or high VE treatment group subjects. This effect was supported by a significant correlation between baseline VE and degree of pain reduction only in the treatment group. Impaired cardiac vagal regulation measured by VE predicts pain improvement with auricular neurostimulation.

Impact of fluoroscopic injection location on immediate and delayed pain relief in patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether fluoroscopically guided corticosteroid injections into the extrabursal tissues, trochanteric (subgluteus maximus) bursa, or subgluteus medius bursa provide better immediate and short-term pain relief. All fluoroscopically guided corticosteroid injections performed over a 67-month period for greater trochanteric pain syndrome were retrospectively reviewed. Procedural images were reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists to determine the dominant injection site based on final needle positioning and contrast spread pattern, with discrepancies resolved by consensus. Statistical analysis of the association between pain score reduction and dominant injection site was performed. One hundred forty injections in 121 patients met the inclusion criteria. The immediate and 1-week post-injection pain reduction was statistically significant for trochanteric bursa, subgluteus medius bursa, and non-bursal injections. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the degree of pain reduction between the groups. There was statistically significant increase in the 1-week post-injection mean pain score compared with immediate post-injection mean pain score in the subgluteus medius bursa and non-bursal injection groups (p < 0.01) but not in the trochanteric bursa group. Fluoroscopy is frequently chosen over blind injection or ultrasound guidance for trochanteric steroid injections in patients with a high body mass index. Our results indicate that fluoroscopically guided steroid injections into the trochanteric bursa and subgluteus medius bursa significantly reduced immediate and 1-week post-injection pain scores, as do non-bursal injections. Steroid injection into the subgluteus medius bursa and non-bursal sites may be less effective in maintaining pain reduction at 1-week post-injection.

Efficacy of tolperisone versus meloxicam in the treatment of nonspecific acute neck pain

Neck pain is a widespread disease that significantly impairs quality of life in patients. General approaches to managing patients with acute neck pain are generally consistent with the recommendations for the treatment of acute back pain: its pharmacotherapy includes nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxants. Objective of the observational program: to compare the efficiency of treatment for nonspecific acute neck pain with tolperisone 150 mg/day, followed by dose escalation up to 450 mg/day, versus meloxicam 15 mg/day for 14 days. Patients and methods. The observational program covered 37 patients aged 18–65 years who were diagnosed with acute nonspecific neck pain; of them 19 patients made up Group 1 and 18 formed Group 2. Group 1 was prescribed tolperisone (Calmirex) as tablets: 150 mg/day on day 1, 300 mg/day on day 2, and 450 mg/day on day 3 until the end of therapy. On day 1 of the investigation, Group 2 received meloxicam 15 mg/day in two divided doses (7.5 mg in the morning and evening). At baseline and on days 7 and 14 days of therapy, the investigators assessed the dynamics of pain using a visual analogue scale (VAS), as well as its intensity at rest and during movement; neck disability index (NDI) and recorded adverse events. Results and discussion . The two groups showed a significant decrease in pain intensity on both 7 and 14 days of therapy. The rate of effect onset was significantly faster in the meloxicam group. On day 14 of treatment, both patient groups showed a considerably better functional state in terms of activity limitations due to neck pain (NDI); patients' perceptions of therapy were rated as good and excellent in most cases. On 14 days of therapy, the degree of pain reduction in the meloxicam group was higher, but the differences with that in the tolperisone group did not reach statistical significance, which can indicate the comparable efficacy of the drugs. Conclusion. The data of this observational program are consistent with the recommendations for the treatment of nonspecific acute neck pain, which indicate NSAIDs and muscle relaxants as drugs for the treatment of this disease.

ORTHVOLTAGE X-RAY THERAPY FOR THE TREATMENT OF 0-2 GONARTHRITIS STAGES: LONGTERM RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED TRIAL. THE DYNAMICS OF A PAIN SYNDROME

The aim of the study was the comparative analysis of treatment for gonarthritis of 0–2 stages by symptomatic therapy (Symptomatic slow acting drugs for osteoarthritis — SYSADOA) and in combination with orthovoltage x-ray therapy (OVRT) within an open randomized study.Material and methods. The study included patients with clinically confirmed gonarthritis. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, each of them was administered a combined SYSADOA glucosamine (500 mg) and chondroitin (400 mg) sulfate, OVRT was prescribed to patients of second group. OVRT was performed on X-ray machine Xstrahl-200, a single dose was 0,45 Gy, in 10 sessions to a total dose of 4,5 Gy. The pain syndrome was evaluated by VAS, WOMAC scales, efficiency of the treatment by OARSI/OMERACT (reduction of VAS and WOMAC by more than 20% of the baseline). Disability and the number of endoprosthesis replacement were also analyzed. Evaluation was performed before, after treatment, 6, 12 and 36 months.Results. There were selected 300 patients, 150 in each group, eight people were lost. By the end of the treatment there were no statistically significant differences in the reduction of pain syndrome evaluating by VAS and WOMAC A. After 6–36 months degree of pain reduction was significantly higher in the OVRT group. After three years in the OVRT group, WOMAC A levels, VAS, VAS 20%, WOMAC A 20% were 21,9, 21,2, 69%, 78%, in the SYSADOA group 53,5, 54,9, 25%, 32%, p&lt;0,0001. In the SYSADOA group, by the end of follow-up, 48 (32,9%) patients had a disability group, 42 (28,8%) underwent endoprosthesis replacement, in the combined treatment group — four and four cases (2,7%), respectively, p&lt;0,0001.Conclusion: there was stable reduction of pain syndrome level among patients underwent OVRT, and improvement of the functional state of the joint, which allows to reduce the frequency of disability and knee endoprosthesis replacement.

A Prospective, Randomized Cross-Over Trial of T2 Paravertebral Block as a Sympathetic Block in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Background: Sympathetic block is commonly performed in clinical practice for management of intractable pain conditions. However, stellate ganglion block (SGB) alone often does not achieve sufficient sympatholysis of the upper extremity. The paravertebral space continues up to the cervical sympathetic chain and includes the stellate ganglion. We compared the sympatholytic and analgesic effect of paravertebral block performed at the T2 level (T2 PVB) with that of SGB in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the upper extremity. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the sympatholytic property of T2 PVB with that of the conventional SGB in patients with CRPS of the upper extremity. Study Design: Prospective, randomized cross-over trial. Setting: University hospital pain center in Korea. Methods: Fifteen patients with upper extremity CRPS were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 intervention methods (SGB or T2 PVB). After effects of the first block receded, the patients were crossed over to the second procedure. A difference in temperature increase between the treated side and the opposite side (ΔT) ≥ 1.5°C was considered as a successful primary outcome. Rate of successful primary outcome, degree of pain reduction, duration of effect, and patient satisfaction scores were compared between the 2 intervention methods. Results: Rate of successful primary outcome (ΔT ≥ 1.5°C) was significantly higher in the T2 PVB cases than in the SGB cases (80.0% vs. 20.0%; P = 0.003). Numeric Rating Scale scores after the procedure were significantly lower in the T2 PVB group. Patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher, and the duration of the block was significantly longer in the T2 PVB cases than in the SGB cases. Limitations: The relatively small sample size from a single center, and the lack of standardization of the injected volume of T2 PVB and SGB were limitations. Conclusions: T2 PVB showed superior sympatholytic effect than SGB; other clinical outcomes were also better with T2 PVB than with SGB. T2 PVB can be a useful option for producing sympatholytic and analgesic effect in patients with CRPS of the upper extremity. Key words: Sympathetic block, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, paravertebral block, stellate ganglion block

A comparative study between the Universal Spinal System® (USS) and the CD Horizon® Legacy™ (CDH) in the management of thoracolumbar fractures.

Introduction: For the treatment of unstable non-osteoporotic thoracolumbar fractures, the clinical and radiological outcome of short-segment fixation with the USS™ – Universal Spine System (DePuy Orthopedics, Inc., Warsaw, IN, USA) and the CD HORIZON® LEGACY™ 5.5 Spinal System, (Medtronic Sofamor Danek USA, Inc., Memphis, TN, USA) were compared.Methods: From March 2015 to January 2016, 40 consecutive patients with unstable traumatic thoracolumbar fractures who met our inclusion criteria were treated with either the USS system or CDH Legacy system. Segmental kyphosis angle (SKA) and anterior body height (ABH) of fractured vertebrae, and ASIA Impairment Scale (AIS) were evaluated. Radiological fusion was confirmed with plain X-rays and when indicated with computerized tomography (CT).Results: The mean immediate kyphotic angle correction was 16.6° for the Schanz and 6.4 for the Legacy system, and the immediate mean anterior vertebral body height correction was 0.92 cm for the Schanz and 0.51 cm for the Legacy system. Our study shows a significant statistical difference between Schanz and Legacy systems regarding post-operative segmental kyphosis and height correction immediately postoperatively, at 6 months and at one-year follow-up (p-value < 0.005). The degree of pain reduction and neurological improvement was not influenced by the screw system.Conclusion: Usage of USS in thoracolumbar fracture as a short-segment fixation led to a near anatomical reduction when compared to the Legacy system. However, there was no advantage regarding pain reduction and neurological outcome.

Comparison between Vapocoolant Spray and Eutectic Mixture of Local Anesthetics Cream in Reducing Pain during Spinal Injections.

Background Eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream is often used for local anesthesia during spinal injections. However, this agent has delayed onset of action while vapocoolant spray serves more advantages. The vapocoolant spray containing ethyl chloride has fast onset and is safe, low cost, and widely available. This study aimed at comparing the effectiveness of vapocoolant spray and EMLA cream in reducing pain for spinal injections. Methods This was an experimental study on 94 subjects with 47 subjects treated with EMLA cream and 47 subjects treated with vapocoolant spray. The effectiveness of anesthesia was assessed by using Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and patient movement during the surgery. Results This study found that the pain scale was NPRS 0 (0–3) for the EMLA group and NPRS 0 (0–4) for the vapocoolant spray group. There was no significant difference between two groups for pain scale according to the Mann–Whitney U test. For patient movement, the movement was reported only in one (2.1%) patient in the EMLA group and one (2.1%) patient in the vapocoolant spray group. Based on Fisher's test, there was no significant difference between the two groups for patient movement. Conclusions Both EMLA cream and vapocoolant spray were equally effective in reducing pain during spinal injection. There was no difference in degree of pain reduction and patient movement between the EMLA cream group and the vapocoolant spray group during spinal injection.

The Impact of Tobacco Cigarette Smoking on Spinal Cord Stimulation Effectiveness in Chronic Spine-Related Pain Patients.

Despite the observation that select nicotine receptor agonists have analgesic effects, smokers report higher pain scores and more functional impairments than lifelong nonsmokers, attributable to exaggerated stress responses, receptor desensitization, and altered pharmacokinetics compounded by accelerated structural damage resulting from impaired bone healing, osteoporosis, and advancement of disk disease. We hypothesized that smoking diminishes the analgesic response to spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in patients with chronic spine-related pain conditions. A retrospective cohort study was performed at Cleveland Clinic by collecting and assessing data of 213 patients who had been implanted with SCS for spine-pain indications. History of tobacco smoking was subcategorized into 3 categories: past (former smoker), present (current smoker), or those who had never previously smoked (lifelong nonsmokers), and a multivariable linear regression was run to measure the correlation, if any, between smoking status and numerical rating scale pain score. In addition, opioid consumption at baseline and 12-month follow-up, expressed in milligram oral morphine equivalents, was collected and compared. Adjusted for differences, at 1-year follow-up, current smokers (n = 62) reported numerical rating scale pain score of 7.0, which is 1.93 (P < 0.001) and 1.32 (P = 0.001) points higher than those of lifelong nonsmokers (n = 77) and former smokers (n = 74), respectively. Opioid intake was 2.4 times higher (P = 0.004) in smokers than in lifelong nonsmokers. Among our SCS-implanted sample, a positive correlation was observed between tobacco use and degree of pain reduction as early as 12 months postimplant; this was evident by the reported higher pain scores and opioid use in current smokers in comparison with former smokers and lifelong nonsmokers.