The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs are focusing on finding solutions to chronic pain in veterans. Twelve research projects will be funded, several of which have been awarded.
What’s Wrong With Lady Gaga?
Lady Gaga has had to cancel a recent tour to Brazil citing severe pain. She has written about her struggles with fibromyalgia in the past.
https://pitchfork.com/news/lady-gaga-hospitalized-im-in-severe-pain/
Adverse Effects of Opioids Increase In Hospitalized US Children
A presentation at the American Academy of Pediatrics this week discusses the increase in adverse effects of opioids among hospitalized children, with withdrawal symptoms being the most common.
http://www.aappublications.org/news/2017/09/15/NCEOpioidHospital091517
“Holistic, Multimodal” approach to acute pain treatment in opioid dependent patients
Coleen Dever, MSN, AGCNS-BC, CEN, TRCN, of Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington, Del reviews the management of acute pain in patients already addicted to opioids.
September/October Journal of Trauma Nursing, official publication of the Society of Trauma Nurses.
Study Discusses Alternative For Post-Operative Pain from Knee Replacement
Conclusion of study: “Periarticular infiltration is a viable and safe alternative to femoral nerve block for the early post-operative relief of pain following TKA”
(TKA – total knee arthroplasty).
Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:904–11.
Express Scripts Will Limit Opioid Prescriptions For New Users
Benefits and Harms of Plant-Based Cannabis for PTSD Reviewed
The Annals of Internal Medicine the benefits and harms of plant-based cannabis preparations in treating PTSD in adults.
O’Neil ME, Nugent SM, Morasco BJ, Freeman M, Low A, Kondo K, et al. Benefits and Harms of Plant-Based Cannabis for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review. Ann Intern Med. [Epub ahead of print 15 August 2017] doi: 10.7326/M17-0477
Excellent Review of Neck Pain
This review from the British Medical Journal presents and overview of the types, causes and potential treatments of neck pain.
NFL To Study Marijuana For Pain Management
New Improved Spinal Cord Stimulators Hope To Replace Need For Opioids
A growing number of new devices are being developed to interrupt pain signals traveling to the brain – some require implantation, others are used externally.
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/608256/these-new-devices-promise-to-fight-pain-without-opioids/