Neuromodulation for Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain: A Comprehensive Review.

Introduction: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a symptom that derives from a complex group of heterogeneous pathologies of the pelvic organs. The aim of this study was to review the available evidence on efficacy of neuromodulatory modalities including sacral neuromodulation, dorsal root ganglion stimulation, dorsal column neuromodulation, and pudendal nerve stimulation.

Methods: This narrative review focuses on updated information on neuromodulation for management of chronic pelvic pain.

Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery- A Systematic Review of Open and Endoscopic Approaches.

Context: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most frequent peripheral compression-induced neuropathy observed in patients worldwide. Surgery is necessary when conservative treatments fail and severe symptoms persist. Traditional Open carpal tunnel release (OCTR) with visualization of carpal tunnel is considered the gold standard for decompression.

Interventional Therapies for Pain in Cancer Patients: a Narrative Review.

Purpose Of Review: Pain is a prevalent symptom in the lives of patients with cancer. In light of the ongoing opioid epidemic and increasing awareness of the potential for opioid abuse and addiction, clinicians are progressively turning to interventional therapies. This article reviews the interventional techniques available to mitigate the debilitating effects that untreated or poorly treated pain have in this population.

Management of Lower Extremity Pain from Chronic Venous Insufficiency: A Comprehensive Review.

Purpose Of Review: Chronic venous insufficiency is found to some extent in a large proportion of the world's population, especially in the elderly and obese. Despite its prevalence, little research has been pursued into this pathology when compared to similarly common conditions. Pain is often the presenting symptom of chronic venous insufficiency and has significant deleterious effects on quality of life.

Intravenous Lidocaine Infusion for the Management of Early Postoperative Pain: A Comprehensive Review of Controlled Trials.

Previously used as anti-arrhythmic, intravenous lidocaine infusion is becoming popular for use in management of acute pain. There is still much to be understood about its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, especially with regard to optimal dosing to avoid side effects. In this article, we selected and reviewed randomized controlled trials to summarize the pharmacokinetics, antinociceptive effects, anti-hyperalgesic effects, anti-inflammatory effects, side effects, and role of intravenous lidocaine in the management of early postoperative pain.

Obesity Trends Amongst Hospitalized Patients with Spinal Cord Stimulator Implants.

Introduction: Chronic pain remains an important public health problem as it continues to increase healthcare-related cost. Comorbidities like obesity have been associated with efficacy of spinal cord stimulator (SCS) therapy and worse outcomes. The goal of this study is to investigate the trends of obesity amongst hospitalized patients with SCS therapy as well as healthcare utilization outcomes.

Neuropathic Pain and Sickle Cell Disease: a Review of Pharmacologic Management.

Purpose Of Review: Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains among the most common and severe monogenic disorders present in the world today. Although sickle cell pain has been traditionally characterized as nociceptive, a significant portion of sickle cell patients has reported neuropathic pain symptoms. Our review article will discuss clinical aspects of SCD-related neuropathic pain, epidemiology of neuropathic pain among individuals with SCD, pain mechanisms, and current and future potential pharmacological interventions.

Socioeconomic Disparities in the Utilization of Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy in Patients with Chronic Pain.

Objectives: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) therapies are used in the management of patients with complex regional pain syndrome I (CRPS I) and failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). The purpose of this study was to investigate the racial and health insurance inequalities with SCS therapy in patients with chronic pain who had CRPS I and FBSS.

Methods: Patients with chronic pain who had a discharge diagnosis of FBSS and CRPS I were identified using the National Inpatient Sample database.

Cannabis Use in Hospitalized Patients with Chronic Pain.

Introduction: To date, no study has reported the prevalence of cannabis use in chronic pain patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the trends in cannabis use among chronic pain in-patients from 2011 to 2015 in the USA.

Methods: Patients were identified from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth and Tenth Revision, diagnosis codes for chronic pain and cannabis use.

Factors associated with academic rank among chronic pain medicine faculty in the USA.

Background: Numerous factors are considered in the academic promotion of pain medicine physicians. In this study, we investigated the importance of research productivity, career duration, leadership, and gender on attaining professorship in chronic pain medicine fellowship programs in the USA.

Methods: We identified 98 pain fellowship programs in the American Medical Association Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database.

The Role of the Cannabinoid System in Pain Control: Basic and Clinical Implications.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive update of the different known components of the endogenous cannabinoid system and the mechanisms of action, as it applies to analgesia.

Recent Findings: Following the discovery of the endogenous cannabinoid system in the early 1990s and the subsequent characterization of the cannabinoid receptor, there has been a renewed interest in cannabinoid research. Recent work has demonstrated its efficacy as a pharmacologic agent.

A Comprehensive Update on the Treatment and Management of Postdural Puncture Headache.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a comprehensive review of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) with a focus on epidemiology, pathophysiology, treatment, and prophylaxis.

Recent Findings: PDPH is an adverse iatrogenic complication of neuraxial anesthesia that occurs following inadvertent puncture of the dura after epidural or spinal anesthesia. The overall incidence of PDPH after neuraxial procedures varies from 6 to 36%.

A Comprehensive Review of the Treatment and Management of Pain in Sickle Cell Disease.

Purpose Of Review: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a hematological disorder which leads to serious complications in multiple organ systems. While significant research has addressed many of the effects of acute pain episodes and end-organ damage connected to this disease, little has approached the chronic pain state associated with this condition.

Recent Findings: Associated chronic pain represents a significant detractor from the quality of life experienced by these patients, affecting over half of those with SCD on more days than not.

Current Concepts in the Management of Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Purpose Of Review: This comprehensive review of current concepts in the management of vertebral compression fractures is a manuscript of vertebral augmentation literature of risk factors, clinical presentation, and management. The objective of this review is to compare outcomes between multiple augmentation techniques and ongoing discussions of effectiveness of vertebral augmentation procedures.

Recent Findings: Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are a prevalent disease affecting approximately 1.

Correction to: Role of Alpha-2-Microglobulin in the Treatment of Osteoarthritic Knee Pain: a Brief Review of the Literature.

The original publication listed author Alan Kaye as "A. Kaye," but his name should read "A.D.

Minimally Invasive Treatment of Chronic Ankle Instability: a Comprehensive Review.

Purpose Of Review: Chronic ankle pain is a prevalent and significant cause of chronic pain. While the definition of chronic ankle pain is heterogeneous and poorly defined in the literature, systematic reviews and meta-analyses have estimated this condition to be a prevalent and debilitating source of chronic pain. The most identifiable and prominent cause of chronic ankle pain is chronic ankle instability (CAI), a condition defined by instability of the ankle-joint complex.

Fascia iliaca block, history, technique, and efficacy in clinical practice.

The facsia iliaca block (FIB) is a relatively new regional technique where local anesthetic is delivered within the fascia iliaca region. Indications for a FIB include surgical anesthesia to the lower extremity after knee, femoral shaft, hip surgery, management of cancer pain or pain secondary to inflammatory conditions of the lumbar plexus, as well as treatment of acute pain in the setting of trauma, fracture, or burns. The FIB may be performed using either a loss of resistance technique or an ultrasound (US)-guided technique; however, the use of US has become commonplace and resulted in improved femoral nerve and obturator nerve motor blocks.

Socioeconomic disparities in the utilization of spine augmentation for patients with osteoporotic fractures: an analysis of National Inpatient Sample from 2011 to 2015.

Background Content: Vertebral augmentation procedures are used for treatment of osteoporotic compression fractures. Prior studies have reported disparities in the treatment of patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, particularly with regards to the use of vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to report updates in racial and health insurance inequalities of spine augmentation procedures in patients with osteoporotic fractures.

Depression Trends in Patients with Chronic Pain: An Analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample.

Background: Chronic pain remains a major public health issue that affects the lives of many worldwide, including patients with chronic pain. Comorbidities like depression have been associated with decreased quality of sleep, decreased enjoyment of life activities, increased anxiety, and decreased efficacy in treatments among patients with chronic pain. Despite these associations, the trends and demographic characteristics of patients with chronic pain with depression is yet to be investigated.

Chronic Pain Practices: An Evaluation of Positive and Negative Online Patient Reviews.

Background: The role of patient satisfaction continues to play an important role in health care quality measures. The use of online review platforms has been adopted by patients to share their perceptions about the quality of care provided by physicians. Chronic pain practice has unique challenges regarding patient satisfaction.

Role of Alpha-2-Microglobulin in the Treatment of Osteoarthritic Knee Pain: a Brief Review of the Literature.

Purpose Of Review: Chronic knee pain remains a debilitating condition that remains difficult to manage. The purpose of this review, therefore, is to summarize current understanding of alpha-2-microglobulin in the treatment of osteoarthritic knee pain. Furthermore, we investigate its role in the anti-inflammatory properties of platelet-rich plasma (PRP).