Validation of thoracolumbar injury classification and Severity Score in the management of acute and subacute Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures - A pilot study and a suggested modification.

Objective: To retrospectively assess the Thoracolumbar Injury Classification and Severity Score (TLICS) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) and compare the treatment given with that predicted by the TLICS score.

Methods: All medical records of patients presenting from January 2014 to November 2017 for acute atraumatic or low impact OVCF were screened, and eligible patients were retrospectively reviewed. The TLICS score was determined based upon magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and clinical records.

Stellate Ganglion Blocks for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Review of Mechanisms, Efficacy, and Complications.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stands as a pervasive psychiatric condition, exerting a profound impact on millions across the globe. Despite the availability of traditional therapeutic modalities, many individuals continue to grapple with suboptimal treatment outcomes, underscoring the urgent need for novel interventions. In recent years, stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) have garnered attention as a promising avenue in the treatment landscape for PTSD, showcasing remarkable efficacy in ameliorating symptomatology and enhancing overall quality of life.

A Comprehensive Review of Lemborexant to Treat Insomnia.

Purpose Of Review: This is a comprehensive review of the literature regarding Lemborexant for the treatment of insomnia. It covers the background and management of insomnia and then reviews the body of existing evidence evaluating the use of Lemborexant for this purpose.

Recent Findings: Insomnia leads to significant decreased in quality of life and economic burden due to decreased workplace performance and increased health care costs.

A Comprehensive Review of Solriamfetol to Treat Excessive Daytime Sleepiness.

Purpose Of Review: This is a comprehensive review of the literature regarding the use of Solriamfetol for excessive daytime sleepiness. It covers the background and current therapeutic approaches to treating excessive daytime sleepiness, the management of common comorbidities, and the existing evidence investigating the use of Solriamfetol for this purpose.

Recent Findings: Excessive daytime sleepiness leads to worse quality of life, a medical sequela and significant economic cost.

Techniques in medicine: ipsilateral transforaminal epidural steroid injection in Bertolotti's syndrome.

Bertolotti's syndrome, also known as lumbosacral transitional vertebrae, is a relatively rare spinal condition characterized by an anatomical variation in the lower spine. Conservative approaches such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications and lifestyle modifications may be recommended for mild cases. In more severe cases or when conservative measures fail to provide relief, injections such as may be considered to alleviate pain.

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation Interventions in Improving Postoperative Outcomes for Orthopedic Surgery Patients.

Purpose Of Review: The surge in orthopedic surgeries strains the US healthcare system, necessitating innovative rehabilitation solutions. This review examines the potential of virtual reality (VR)-based interventions for orthopedic rehabilitation.

Recent Findings: The effectiveness of VR-based interventions in orthopedic surgery patients is scrutinized.

The Effects of Opioid Dependency Use on Postoperative Spinal Surgery Outcomes: A Review of the Available Literature.

There is a lack of evidence to support the effectiveness of long-term opioid therapy in patients with chronic, noncancer pain. Despite these findings, opioids continue to be the most commonly prescribed drug to treat chronic back pain and many patients undergoing spinal surgery have trialed opioids before surgery for conservative pain management. Unfortunately, preoperative opioid use has been shown repeatedly in the literature to negatively affect spinal surgery outcomes.

Exploring Orthopedic Stem-Cell Approaches for Osteoarthritis Management: Current Trends and Future Horizons.

Purpose Of Review: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and debilitating condition characterized by joint degeneration and pain. Current treatment options aim to alleviate symptoms and slow disease progression but lack curative potential. Stem cell therapies have emerged as a promising alternative.

Buprenorphine for Chronic Pain Management: a Narrative Review.

Purpose Of Review: The aim of this review is to educate healthcare professionals regarding buprenorphine for the use of opioid use disorder (OUD) as well as for chronic pain management. This review provides physicians and practitioners with updated information regarding the distinct characteristics and intricacies of prescribing buprenorphine.

Recent Findings: Buprenorphine is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for acute pain, chronic pain, opioid use disorder (OUD), and opioid dependence.

Arts Therapy and Its Implications in Chronic Pain Management: A Narrative Review.

Chronic nonmalignant pain is recognized as a complex, dynamic, phenomenological interplay between biological, psychological, and social factors that are individual to the person suffering from it. Therefore, its management and treatment ought to entail the individual's biopsychosocial aspects that are often addressed by collaborative, inter/multidisciplinary multimodal care, as there is no biologic treatment. In an effort to enhance inter/multidisciplinary multimodal care, a narrative review of arts therapy as a mind-body intervention and its efficacy in chronic pain populations has been conducted.

Stigmatization as a Barrier to Urologic Care: A Review.

Heavy societal stigma of certain conditions has created an environment where individuals may be hesitant to seek professional care. Urology is a specialized field that focuses on many of these conditions that society has deemed taboo to discuss. In this review, we address barriers that have prevented patients from seeking urologic care in order to better understand and elucidate important concerns within development of the physician-patient relationship.

The Utilization of Low Dose Naltrexone for Chronic Pain.

Naltrexone is a mu-opioid receptor antagonist with a long half-life compared with naloxone. Both of these drugs, along with others, were developed with the intention of reversing the effects of opioid abuse or toxicity. Evidence has also shown that naltrexone has a benefit in preventing relapse by reducing opioid cravings and reducing symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Depression: A Review.

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) are frequently present in the general population as patients age with approximately a third of individuals experiencing LUTS during their lifetime. LUTS can be further defined as having any of the following symptoms: urinary hesitancy, straining, nocturia, increased urination frequency, and dysuria. LUTS has the potential for patients to contribute their symptoms to what can normally occur as we age.

A Need for Further Education on Buprenorphine in Pain Medicine.

With the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States there has been a strong transition towards utilizing multi-modal analgesia, interventional procedures, and non-opioid medications when managing acute and chronic pain. There has also been an increased interest in utilizing buprenorphine. Buprenorphine is a novel long-acting analgesic with partial mu-opioid agonist activity that can be utilized for analgesia as well as opioid use disorder.

Burning Mouth Syndrome Treated with Mandibular and Maxillary Nerve Blocks.

Burning mouth syndrome is a condition characterized by a painful burning sensation in the oral mucosa lasting at least 3-6 months with no definitive etiology. The pathophysiology is not well understood, though there appears to be a connection with other neuropsychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. We briefly discuss our experience with a patient who suffered from this conidtion and how it was treated with mandibular and maxillary nerve blocks after failing more conservative pharmacological options.

Meralgia Paresthetica Review: Update on Presentation, Pathophysiology, and Treatment.

Purpose Of Review: Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is a condition characterized by paresthesias, neuropathic pain, and alterations in sensorium of the anterolateral thigh secondary to impingement of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). MP is generally diagnosed by clinical history and is often a diagnosis of exclusion. When diagnosis remains a challenge, diagnostic modalities such as ultrasound, MRI, electromyography, and nerve conduction studies have been utilized as an adjunct.

Koro Syndrome: Epidemiology, Psychiatric and Physical Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options.

Koro syndrome is a multi-tiered disease presenting as an overwhelming belief that one's sex organs are shrinking into their body. Moderate to severe anxiety attacks are associated with the condition, along with a fear of imminent death. Koro is often culturally related and is most seen as an epidemic form in East and Southeast Asia, although it can present anywhere worldwide in its sporadic form.

Utilizing 10kHz Stimulation to Salvage a Failed Low Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a viable treatment option for chronic pain. One of the primary indications for SCS implantation is persistent pain after spinal surgery. Studies have demonstrated that these patients have a better response to SCS over conservative management or repeat surgery.