Effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin on Pain in Stroke Patients Suffering from Upper Limb Spastic Dystonia

This observational study aimed at investigating pain in stroke patients with upper limb spastic dystonia. Forty-one consecutive patients were enrolled. A 0–10 numeric rating scale was used to evaluate pain at rest and during muscle tone assessment. Patients were asked to indicate the most painful joint at passive mobilization (shoulder, elbow, wrist-fingers). The DN4 questionnaire was administered to disclose neuropathic pain. All patients were assessed just before and 1 month after incobotulinumtoxin-A treatment. Pain was present in 22 patients, worsened or triggered by passive muscle stretching. DN4 scored < 4 in 20 patients. The most painful joints were wrist–fingers in 12 patients, elbow in 5 patients and shoulder in the remaining 5 patients. Both elbow and wrist–fingers pain correlated with muscle tone. BoNT-A treatment reduced pain in all the joints, including the shoulder. We discussed that nociceptive pain is present in a vast proportion of patients with upper limb spastic dystonia. BoNT-A treatment reduced both spastic dystonia and pain in all the joints but the shoulder, where the effect on pain could be mediated by the reduction of pathological postures involving the other joints.

Acute Pain Assessment Inadequacy in the Emergency Department: Patients’ Perspective

For many patients, acute pain is a common cause to seek treatment in an Emergency Department (ED). An inadequate assessment could cause inappropriate pain management. The aim of this study was to describe and explain patients’ perceptions of acute pain assessment in the Emergency Department. The data were collected from ED patients (n = 114). Patients reported that nurses were asking about intensity of pain at rest, but only 52% during movement. According to the patients, the most common tools to assess acute pain were the verbal rating scale (VRS; 54% of patients), numerical rating scale (NRS; 28% of patients), and visual analogue scale (VAS; 9.7% of patients). Over twenty per cent of patients stated that ED nurses did not ask about the intensity of pain after analgesic administration. Twenty-four per cent of the patients were not pleased with nursing pain assessment in the ED. The assessment of acute pain is still inadequate in the ED. Therefore, ED nurses need to be more attentive to systematic acute pain management of patients in the ED.

Case of persistent sciatic artery in a dialysis patient with critical limb ischemia

Persistent sciatic artery is a rare congenital malformation (incidence rate, 0.03%–0.06%). We report the case of a 72-year-old male patient with persistent sciatic artery suffering from pain at rest and an ulcer on the left first toe. Angiography findings showed 90% stenosis in the distal persistent sciatic artery. Endovascular therapy was considered difficult because of a long stenotic lesion from the persistent sciatic artery to the popliteal artery and extremely high calcification of the whole body. Because of poor blood flow to the lower leg, vascular prosthesis would have increased the risk of thrombotic occlusion. Therefore, below-knee femoropopliteal bypass using the great saphenous vein graft was performed, which led to the healing of the ulcer on the left first toe. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the lower limbs was performed to confirm that the bypass blood flow was good. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 5.

THE LIMFLOW SYSTEM FOR NO-OPTION CRITICAL LIMB ISCHEMIA (CLI) PATIENTS

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is a common health problem among adults. CLI is a progressive type of peripheral artery disease associated with non-healing ulceration and ischemic pain at rest. Patients with CLI may suffer from gangrene, a consequence of arterial occlusive disease. Patients with CLI have a high-risk of developing chronic health issues such as hyperlipidemia, renal failure, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. The health and well-being of patients with CLI is low and heterogeneously complex. Patients with CLI cope with complex and chronic health issues that often require appropriate treatment and management. The newly developed Limflow system is the promising future for vascular interventions in CLI patients.

Analgesic Effects of Different κ-Receptor Agonists Used in Daytime Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background. Comparing the effect of two different κ-receptor agonists, nalbuphine and oxycodone, and regular morphine in patients for prophylactic analgesia of acute pain after daytime laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods. One hundred and twenty-four patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly allocated to receive nalbuphine (group N), oxycodone (group O), and morphine (group M). The three groups were all given intravenous injection (iv.) of 0.15 mg/kg injection before incision and 0.05 mg/kg injection at the end of pneumoperitoneum. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores (incision, visceral, and shoulder) and Ramsay sedation scores at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours after surgery, the time of extubation, the incidence of postoperative adverse events, the satisfaction of pain treatment, and the duration of stay after surgery were all recorded. Results. Compared with group M, the VAS scores of visceral pain at rest decreased in group N and group O at 1-8 h after surgery ( P < 0.05 ). The VAS scores of visceral pain at movement in group N decreased longer than those in group O ( P < 0.05 ). Compared with that of group M, the postoperative time in Ramsay sedation score of group O increased longer than that of group N ( P < 0.05 ). Compared with group N, patients had worse sleep quality in group O, longer length of stay in group M, and lower satisfaction in both groups. Conclusion. Compared with morphine, prophylactic use of the κ-receptor agonists, nalbuphine and oxycodone, during laparoscopic cholecystectomy can reduce postoperative visceral pain. Furthermore, the nalbuphine group had fewer adverse reactions, better analgesia, and better satisfaction.

Hypoalgesia after exercises with painful vs. non-painful muscles in healthy subjects – a randomized cross-over study

Objectives Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is a decrease in the pain sensitivity after exercise. Individuals with chronic pain show less EIH after one exercise session compared with pain-free individuals possibly due to pain in exercising muscles. The primary aim of this randomized controlled cross-over study was to compare the EIH response at the exercising thigh muscle following exercises performed with painful vs. non-painful muscles. Secondary aims were to explore if a reduced EIH response was confined to the painful muscle, and whether the muscle pain intensity and the EIH responses were negatively associated. Methods In two sessions, 34 pain-free participants received a painful (hypertonic saline, 5.8%) injection and a control (isotonic saline, 0.9%) injection in the right thigh muscle before performing a 3 min isometric wall squat exercise. Pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) were assessed at both thighs and the left neck/shoulder at baseline, after injections and after exercise. Pain intensities in the thighs were rated on numerical rating scales (NRS: 0–10). Results Hypertonic saline induced moderate thigh pain at rest (NRS: 4.6 ± 2.1) compared to the control injection (NRS: 0.3 ± 0.4; p<0.001). EIH at the thighs and neck/shoulder were not different between sessions (Injected thigh: 0 kPa; 95% CI: −51 to 52; Contralateral thigh: −6 kPa; 95% CI: −42 to 30; neck/shoulder: 19 kPa; 95% CI: −6 to 44). No significant associations between pain intensity ratings immediately after the Painful injection and EIH responses at any assessment sites were found (right thigh: β=0.08, 95% CI: −12.95 to 20.64, p=0.64, left thigh: β=−0.33, 95% CI: −27.86 to 0.44, p=0.06; neck/shoulder: β=−0.18, 95% CI: −15.11 to 4.96, p=0.31). Conclusions Pain in the area of an exercising muscle did not reduce local or systemic EIH responses. Trial registration number NCT04354948.

Analysis of the factors determining the development of postoperative pain in patients after knee and hip replacement surgery

Chronic postoperative pain (POP) is a serious complication of total replacement (TR) of the knee (KJ) and hip (HJ) joints.Objective: to determine the factors associated with POP in patients after TR of KJ or HJ.Patients and methods. The study group consisted of 124 patients with knee osteoarthritis or hip osteoarthritis (age 63.6±9.9 years, 63% women and 37% men) who underwent TR of KJ or HJ. POP was defined as pain ≥40 mm on a numerical rating scale persistent for ≥3 months. Its presence was assessed after 3 and 6 months by telephone survey. Comparison of patients with POP and without it was carried out for a number of factors identified before surgery.Results and discussion. The incidence of POP was 27.4%. There was no difference in the incidence of POP in patients after TR of KJ or HJ: 28.1% and 26.9% (p=0.88). POP was statistically significantly associated with parameters such as higher body mass index (BMI); the intensity of pain at rest; general assessment of impairment; WOMAC index pain, stiffness and overall; severity of symptoms of neuropathic pain (PainDETECT); signs of depression and anxiety (HADS).The risk of POP was significantly higher (p<0.05) with BMI >30 kg/m2 (odds ratio, OR 2.755; 95% confidence interval, CI 1.053–7.206), rest pain ≥40 mm on a visual analog scale (OR 1.349; 95% CI 0.478–3.803), PainDETECT scores ≥13 (OR 3.598; 95% CI 1.048–12.36) and HADS depression ≥8 (OR 2.193; 95% CI 0.745–6.454), presence of ≥2 sources of pain (OR 6.996; 95% CI 2.358–20.756).Conclusion. It was found that the risk of POP after TR of KJ and HJ is higher in patients with overweight, severe preoperative pain, signs of neuropathic pain and depression, as well as in the presence of several sources of pain (except for the affected joint, that was replaced surgically).

Can Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia Techniques For Tracheostomy Be An Alternative To General Anesthesia?

Introduction The cervical plexus block (CPB) has been used for a long time for both analgesia and anesthesia in carotid endarterectomy and thyroid operations. To be unfamiliar with the technique and its perceived difficulty, potential risks, and possible adverse effects such as intravascular injection has limited broader use before the practical use of ultrasound. We hypothesize that the cervical plexus block can provide adequate anesthesia in tracheostomy cases and provide excellent anesthesia comfort when combined with a translaryngeal block. Methods This double-blinded, randomized 29 patients undergoing primary tracheostomy operation to receive either CPB (Group S) or CPB with translaryngeal block (Group ST). The primary outcome was cumulated analgesic consumption during the first 24 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes were as follows: pain related to incision, patient tolerance as assessed by tracheostomy cannula comfort score, cough and gag, pain at rest, nausea and vomiting, and time to first analgesic demand. Results The patient tolerance for tracheostomy was higher in Group ST than Group S. The median tracheostomy cannula comfort score was 4.0 in Group S. In contrast, the median score was significantly lower in group ST (P<.001). The cough and gag reflex scores were significantly lower in Group ST than Group S (1.0 vs 4.0, P<.001). Conclusion This trial supported the hypothesis that the CPB combined with the translaryngeal block yields excellent anesthesia for tracheostomies. The technique we briefly described, in a way, is the equivalent of awake fiberoptic intubation to awake tracheostomy with minimal sedation adjusted according to airway patency.

Prevalence of chronic pain syndrome in patients who have undergone hallux valgus percutaneous surgery: a comparison of sciatic-femoral and ankle regional ultrasound-guided nerve blocks

Background Chronic pain syndrome (CPS) is a common complication after operative procedures, and only a few studies have focused on the evaluation of CPS in foot-forefoot surgery and specifically on HV percutaneous correction. The objective of this study was to compare postoperative pain levels and incidence of CPS in two groups of patients having undergone femoral-sciatic nerve block or ankle block regional anaesthesia before hallux valgus (HV) percutaneous surgery and the association between postoperative pain levels and risk factors between these patient groups. Methods A consecutive patient series was enrolled and evaluated prospectively at 7 days, 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. The participants were divided into two groups according to the regional anaesthesia received, femoral-sciatic nerve block or ankle block, and their outcomes were compared. The parameters assessed were postoperative pain at rest and during movement by the numerical rating scale (NRS), patient satisfaction using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), quality of life and return to daily activities. Statistical analysis was performed. Results One hundred fifty-five patients were assessed, 127 females and 28 males. Pain at rest (p < 0.0001) and during movement (p < 0.0001) significantly decreased during the follow-ups; at 6 months, 13 patients suffered from CPS. Over time, satisfaction remained stable (p > 0.05), quality of life significantly increased and patients returned to daily activities and work (p < 0.0001). No significant impact of type of anaesthesia could be detected. ASA 3 (p = 0.043) was associated to higher pain during movement; BMI (p = 0.005) and lumbago (p = 0.004) to lower satisfaction. No operative-anaesthetic complications were recorded. Postoperative pain at rest and during movement improved over time independently of the regional block used, with low incidence of CPS at last follow-up. Among risk factors, only a higher ASA was associated to higher pain during movement, while higher BMI and lumbago to lower satisfaction. Conclusions Both ultrasound-guided sciatic-femoral and ankle blocks were safe and effective in reducing postoperative pain with low incidence of CPS at last follow-up. Trial registration Clinical Trial NCT02886221. Registered 1 September 2016.

Effects of a Single Application of ScenarTM, a Low-Frequency Modulated Electric Current Therapy, for Pain Relief in Patients with Low Back and Neck Pain: A Randomized Single Blinded Trial

We aimed to demonstrate the antalgic effectiveness of ScenarTM (Self-Controlled Electro Neuro Adaptative Regulation) in patients experiencing low back and neck pain. Sixty patients were included and equally assigned by randomization to a Scenar-On group and to a Scenar-Off group (sham group). All patients received a 20 min application of ScenarTM on the area where they experienced pain. The pain at rest and during movement and the sensation of stiffness were assessed using a numeric rating scale at baseline, immediately after the session and 24 h after the session. The patients’ characteristics at entry were similar between groups. The pain at rest decreased after the session in both groups (from 8 (4) to 5.0 (3) in the Scenar-Off group, p = 0.0001, and from 7 (3) to 4 (4) in the Scenar-On group, p < 0.0001). The difference was not statistically significant for the groups (p = 0.22). Similar results were observed during movement, but the sensation of stiffness was not modified. Such beneficial results did not last until the next day. No undesirable major effects were noticed. Our study does not support the fact that one ScenarTM session improves low back and neck pain better than a sham session.