Analgesic Modality (analgesic + modality)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Epidural Infusion of Opiates and Local Anesthetics for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

PAIN PRACTICE, Issue 2 2002
Sami Moufawad MD
CRPS-I consists of multiple signs, including autonomic dysfunction, in the form of edema, vasomotor changes, motor dysfunctions, muscle spasms, tremors and dystonia, as well as burning pain, hypersensitivity and allodynia that could present in any combination. The treatment is progressive physical therapy rehabilitation program. Multiple analgesic modalities have been used to facilitate the rehabilitation program with varying rates of success. The most successful treatment is a multi-disciplinary comprehensive approach, where initial pain control allows for physical and psychological interventions that are believed to be the basis for successful treatment.1 The pain in CRPS-I may be mediated through the sympathetic nervous system, sympathetic maintained pain (SMP) or sympathetic independent pain (SIP)2. [source]


Concurrent Use of a Handheld Forced Cold Air Device Minimizes Patient Discomfort during Fractional Photothermolysis

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 2005
Galen H. Fisher MD
Objective:. To assess the analgesic effect of a handheld forced cold air device during fractional photothermolysis. Methods. Twenty patients who were being treated with full-face fractional photothermolysis were asked to rate their pain level with and without the handheld air-cooling device. Pain was rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst. Results. Nineteen of 20 patients noted decreased pain with the addition of handheld cooling. The mean level of pain without air-cooling was 6.95 6 2.0. The mean level of discomfort with air cooling was 4.0 6 1.8. The mean decrease in pain with the addition of air-cooling was 2.9 6 1.8. Conclusion:. The addition of a handheld forced cold air device to cool the skin before and after fractional photothermolysis treatment is an effective adjunctive analgesic modality. [source]


Nonimmersive Virtual Reality Mirror Visual Feedback Therapy and Its Application for the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: An Open-Label Pilot Study

PAIN MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010
Kenji Sato MD
Abstract Objective., Chronic pain conditions such as phantom limb pain and complex regional pain syndrome are difficult to treat, and traditional pharmacological treatment and invasive neural block are not always effective. Plasticity in the central nervous system occurs in these conditions and may be associated with pain. Mirror visual feedback therapy aims to restore normal cortical organization and is applied in the treatment of chronic pain conditions. However, not all patients benefit from this treatment. Virtual reality technology is increasingly attracting attention for medical application, including as an analgesic modality. An advanced mirror visual feedback system with virtual reality technology may have increased analgesic efficacy and benefit a wider patient population. In this preliminary work, we developed a virtual reality mirror visual feedback system and applied it to the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome. Design., A small open-label case series. Five patients with complex regional pain syndrome received virtual reality mirror visual feedback therapy once a week for five to eight sessions on an outpatient basis. Patients were monitored for continued medication use and pain intensity. Results., Four of the five patients showed >50% reduction in pain intensity. Two of these patients ended their visits to our pain clinic after five sessions. Conclusion., Our results indicate that virtual reality mirror visual feedback therapy is a promising alternative treatment for complex regional pain syndrome. Further studies are necessary before concluding that analgesia provided from virtual reality mirror visual feedback therapy is the result of reversing maladaptive changes in pain perception. [source]


Does epidural analgesia delay the diagnosis of lower limb compartment syndrome in children?

PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIA, Issue 2 2009
DOUG J.G. JOHNSON MBChB MRCP FRCA
Summary One of the cardinal symptoms of compartment syndrome is pain. A literature review was undertaken in order to assess the association of epidural analgesia and compartment syndrome in children, whether epidural analgesia delays the diagnosis, and to identify patients who might be at risk. Evidence was sought to offer recommendations in the use of epidural analgesia in patients at risk of developing compartment syndrome of the lower limb. Increasing analgesic use, increasing/breakthrough pain and pain remote to the surgical site were identified as important early warning signs of impending compartment syndrome in the lower limb of a child with a working epidural. The presence of any should trigger immediate examination of the painful site, and active management of the situation (we have proposed one clinical pathway). Avoidance of dense sensory or motor block and unnecessary sensory blockade of areas remote to the surgical site allows full assessment of the child and may prevent any delay in diagnosis of compartment syndrome. Focusing on excluding the diagnosis of compartment syndrome rather than failure of analgesic modality is vital. In the pediatric cases reviewed there was no clear evidence that the presence of an epidural had delayed the diagnosis. [source]