Advancements in Pain Medicine
Estimates show chronic pain affects approximately 20% of the general population. Such a community burden has prompted the establishment of Pain Medicine as a Specialty in its own right and spurred vast amounts of pain-related research.
Rapid advancements, such as novel pharmacological agents and implantable technologies, have added innovative treatments to our armamentarium, ranging from spinal cord stimulators to cognitive-based approaches to pain management.
Older treatments, such as radiofrequency denervation, have benefited from better radiological guidance and improved equipment.
For further reading on Radiofrequency Neurotomy studies and outcomes click here.
Advances in the field of neuromodulation, such as stimulation of the dorsal columns, dorsal root ganglia and peripheral nerves, are pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in Pain Medicine.
For further reading on Neuromodulation studies and outcomes view:
- Spinal Cord Stimulation Provides Pain Relief with Improved Psychosocial Function
- Novel 10-kHz High-frequency Therapy (HF10 Therapy) Is Superior to Traditional Low-frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Back and Leg Pain
- HF10 therapy proven to provide patients superior relief from back pain and leg pain
- The Lancet: Long-term safety and efficacy of closed-loop spinal cord stimulation to treat chronic back and leg pain (Evoke): a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial. Read here
- Jan 2020 Article: Closed-Loop Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Management of Chronic Back and Leg Pain [Part 1]
- Jan 2020 Article: Closed-Loop Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Management of Chronic Back and Leg Pain [Part 2]: Expert Perspective
- Dorsal root ganglion stimulation yielded higher treatment success rate for complex regional pain syndrome and causalgia at 3 and 12 months: a randomized comparative trial
We are also wiser with regards to realistic benefits of opioid therapy in non-cancer pain, and more aware of the pitfalls. The Faculty of Pain Medicine has a position statement detailing points for consideration when prescribing opioids in patients with Non-Cancer Pain.
Recommendations regarding the use of Opioid Analgesics in patients with chronic Non-Cancer Pain
Along with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists,The Faculty of Pain Medicine has also contributed to the Prescription Opioid Policy Document developed the Royal Australian College of Physicians.
Research continues apace, and this exciting young specialty has much to offer your patients.