Articles

Understanding the body’s response to aspirin

University scientists have made an important breakthrough in understanding how different individuals respond to aspirin. This is significant because aspirin is a widely used cardiovascular preventive drug and also has an emerging role in cancer treatment and prevention. Understanding how people respond to aspirin is key in terms of knowing who will benefit from it. […]

Stratification Tool for Opioid Risk Mitigation Helps Predict and Prevent Adverse Events

Palm Springs, Calif.—A risk stratification and mitigation tool is helping to reduce the risk for opioid-related adverse events at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). According to data presented at the 2016 annual meeting of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the Stratification Tool for Opioid Risk Mitigation (STORM) is a safer, more effective approach […]

FDA, Stakeholders Debate ER/LA Opioid REMS Effectiveness

While surveys have identified decreasing rates of abuse, overdose and death from prescription opioids in the United States, they cannot necessarily be attributed to the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) for extended-release/long-acting (ER/LA) opioids, because the REMS was interwoven with other state and national opioid abuse interventions. This message rang throughout the joint meeting […]

Cryoablation Found To Reduce Phantom Limb Pain

Most people with amputated limbs experience phantom limb pain. “However, there is no accepted, effective treatment for these symptoms,” said David Prologo, MD, assistant professor of radiology and imaging sciences at Emory University School of Medicine, in Atlanta, and director of interventional radiology services at Emory Johns Creek Hospital, in Johns Creek, Ga. “The limitless […]

Opioids Pose Infection Risk to Patients with RA Pain

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) face an increased risk for serious infection and hospitalization. Use of opioid analgesics raises that risk, according to a study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology (2016;68:323-331). “The highest rates of infections were associated with the current use of long-acting opioids, high doses of opioids and opioids with potentially immunosuppressive properties,” […]

Opioid Prescribing by Dentists After Tooth Extraction Found Likely Excessive

Among the leading prescribers of opioids for pain relief, a new study has found that dentists’ prescriptions for opioids after tooth extractions are often for too long and for too many pills. “The reason a lot of people go to the dentist is because they have pain or they undergo a procedure that causes some […]

Neck–Shoulder Crossover: How Often Do Neck and Shoulder Pathology Masquerade as Each Other?

Cases of consecutive new patients seen at orthopedic spine and shoulder clinics were reviewed. Four percent of spine patients had significant shoulder pathology, and 3.6% of shoulder patients had significant spine pathology. Identification of the correct pain generator is a prerequisite for effective treatment in patients with neck and/or shoulder problems. However, distinguishing between the […]

Reliability is Necessary but Far From Sufficient: How Might the Validity of Pain Ratings be Improved?

Water Jet” treatment at Sartell Clinic offers chance to wash away that disc pain

Photo by: Jason Wachter Dr. Thomas Kowalkowski, medical director of the Interventional Pain and Physical Medicine Clinic in Sartell, shows a new device called HydroCision Sept. 17. The device is a minimally invasive treatment that uses high-speed water to remove herniated disc tissue without invasive surgery. Who is a good candidate for HydroCision? Those with […]

Testosterone Study Highlights Role of Estrogen in Male Hypogonadism

Article By Kelly Young Androgen deficiency reduces muscle mass and strength in men; estrogen deficiency is associated with increase in fat mass; and deficiencies in both impair sexual function, according to an industry-supported study in the New England Journal of Medicine. Some 200 healthy men aged 20 to 50 years first received goserelin acetate for […]