A systematic review of full endoscopic versus micro-endoscopic or open discectomy for lumbar disc herniation.

Endoscopic discectomies provide several advantages over other techniques such as traditional open lumbar discectomy (OLD) including possibly decreased complications, shorter hospital stay and an earlier return to work. An electronic database search including MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Cochrane Controlled trials (CENTRAL) were reviewed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) only. A total of nine RCTs met inclusion criteria.

Treatment of knee osteoarthritic pain with platelet-rich plasma: a systematic review of clinical studies.

Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that is secondary to degradation of articular cartilage, reformation of subchondral bone through degradation and proliferation as well as presence of synovitis. This systematic review was conducted and reported as per Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. A total of 30 of the 48 comparators showed statistically significant superiority with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) compared with a control, while the other 16 comparators showed no significant difference between PRP and the comparator.

The Regenerative Potential of Therapeutic Ultrasound on Neural Tissue: A Pragmatic Review.

Objectives: Low-intensity ultrasound (LIU)/low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) may influence nerve tissue regeneration and axonal changes in the context of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and in the animal model. The purpose of this pragmatic review is to understand the current knowledge for the effects of low-intensity therapeutic ultrasound in the animal and human model and determine the future directions of this novel field.

Design: Pragmatic review.

Pre-existing opioid use disorder and postoperative outcomes after appendectomy or cholecystectomy: A multi-state analysis, 2007-2014.

Introduction And Objectives: Opioid use disorder has become increasingly prevalent in recent years. Previous studies have shown that patients with opioid use disorder undergoing orthopedic, elective abdominopelvic, and cardiac procedures have poorer postoperative outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of pre-existing opioid use disorder on postoperative outcomes including in-hospital mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), hospital readmission, and postoperative complications in patients undergoing appendectomy or cholecystectomy.

Therapeutic Ultrasound for Chronic Pain Management in Joints: A Systematic Review.

Background: Treatments for joint pain and dysfunction focus on restoration of joint motion, improvement in pain and a return to the previous level of the patient's daily activity. Therapeutic ultrasound is a noninvasive modality widely utilized in the management of musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic ultrasound in the management of patients with knee, shoulder and hip pain.

Sickle cell disease and readmissions rates after lower extremity arthroplasty: a multistate analysis 2007-2014.

Aim: To compare readmission rates between patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and non-sickle cell disease undergoing total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA and TKA).

Methods: Identified adult patients who underwent THA or TKA from 2007 to 2014 in California, Florida, New York, Maryland and Kentucky using a multistate database. Outcomes were 30- and 90-day readmission rates, mortality, complications, length of stay and hospital charges.

Nonopioid versus opioid agents for chronic neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis pain, cancer pain and low back pain.

Chronic pain continues to be a major health issue throughout the world and a huge economic burden for nations around the world. While the use of opioids does have risks, they are still widely used by clinicians as a treatment option for various chronic pain conditions. This review explores and compares the efficacy and safety of opioid and nonopioid agents for the following commonly encountered chronic pain conditions: neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis joint pain, cancer pain and low back pain.

Therapeutic Ultrasound for Pain Management in Chronic Low Back Pain and Chronic Neck Pain: A Systematic Review.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) and neck pain are major causes of pain and disability that are experienced across all ages. The primary goals of treatment are to improve patient function and facilitate a return to the patient's desired level of daily activity. Therapeutic ultrasound is a noninvasive modality widely utilized in the management of musculoskeletal disorders, but there continues to be controversy regarding its use due to insufficient evidence of effectiveness.

Spinal epidural abscess associated with an epidural catheter in a woman with complex regional pain syndrome and selective IgG3 deficiency: A case report.

Rationale: Continuous epidural infusion of local anesthetic may be an alternative to sympathetic blocks in refractory cases of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a well-known complication associated with this technique, especially in patients with immune deficiencies. We herewith report a cervical SEA associated with an epidural catheter in a woman with CRPS and selective IgG3 subclass deficiency.

Utility of smartphone camera in patient management in urology.

Introduction: To describe the utility of the smartphone camera in patient management in urology.

Materials And Methods: Clinical scenarios were collected retrospectively in which photographs that were taken on smartphone and transmitted by multimedia messaging service (MMS) served an important role in making a diagnosis and/or helped in the self-monitoring of urologic issues by patients.

Results: Scenario 1 - a 39-year-old male that presented to the emergency room (ER) with scrotal pain, bruising, and swelling 1 day after bilateral vasectomy.