Pain Studies In The News
Reviewers agree on osteoarthritis of the knee
December 6, 2007
Concerns over the cardiovascular safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) led to the publication of several sets of fresh guidelines on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. But a review of these guidelines found many differences in treatments addressed and a lack of educational information in most of the articles. Story
How stress alleviates pain
December 6, 2007
One way to alleviate the pain of banging your shin while on a hike is to encounter a grizzly bear--a well-known phenomenon called stress-induced analgesia. Now, researchers have elucidated a key mechanism by which the stress hormone noradrenaline -- which floods the bloodstream during grizzly encounters and other stressful events -- affects the brain's pain-processing pathway to produce such analgesia. Story
A pain-fee window into painful neuropathies
December 6, 2007
Scientists have demonstrated a new technique for detecting a painful nerve condition known as neuropathy, which affects millions of people with diabetes and many other patients as well. The painless technique focuses on tiny structures in the skin known as Meissner corpuscles, which encapsulate the endings of microscopic nerves in our hands, feet, and other areas. Story
Workplace repetitive strain injury likely to be significantly overestimated
December 3, 2007
The prevalence of workplace repetitive strain injury (RSI) in Europe is likely to have been exaggerated. Researchers conclude that simply counting people who think their RSI is related to their work can substantially inflate the number of cases that are actually caused or worsened by it. Story
Modified MRI aids evaluation of myofascial pain syndrome
November 30, 2007
With a modified MRI, there may be a noninvasive way to diagnose myofascial pain syndrome by quantifying the stiffness of taut muscle bands, suggested investigators here Story
Osteoarthritis singled out as cause of meniscal damage and knee pain
November 29, 2007
In the U.S., 11% to 15% of men and women 65 and older have osteoarthritis of the knee manifesting in pain, aching, and stiffness. Meniscal damage is not directly linked to knee pain, aching, and stiffness but, rather, both are related to osteoarthritis. Whether meniscal damage foreshadows knee pain from another source or directly causes it has not been known. Story
Freezing bone cancer tumors reduces pain
November 28, 2007
Cryoablation, a procedure most commonly associated with destroying kidney and prostate tumors by freezing them, has been shown to offer durable pain relief of cancer that has spread to bone. The procedure freezes and shrinks or destroys cancerous tumors in or near bone. Story
Minimally invasive treatment reduces shoulder pain from tendonitis
November 28, 2007
Radiologists are using a new minimally invasive procedure to treat tendonitis in the shoulder. Ultrasound-guided non-surgical therapy significantly reduces pain from calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff and restores mobility, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America Story
Non-Caucasians at higher risk for severe metastatic breast cancer pain
November 26, 2007
A new study finds significant racial differences in the risk of pain related to metastatic breast cancer. A new study found that non-whites experience poorer pain control among women with this disease. Story
Idiopathic pain disorders pathways of vulnerability
November 21, 2007
IPDs have been associated with a state of pain amplification and psychological distress. There is substantial individual variability in the relative contribution of pain amplification and psychological phenotypes to IPDs. The authors suggest that pain amplification and psychological distress, which are mediated by an individual's genetic variability and exposure to environmental events, represent two primary pathways of vulnerability that underlie the development of highly prevalent IPDs. Story
Researchers find mirror fools phantom limb pain
November 21, 2007
Viewing the reflected image of an intact limb in a mirror can fool the mind into thinking that a lost leg or foot still exists, dramatically relieving phantom limb pain, researchers reported on Wednesday. Story
Managing the chronic care of patients is not being captured in today’s reimbursement system
November 19, 2007
Full-time physicians spend an average of one full day a week providing services for patients that are not reimbursed by Medicare. These services are not unusual or luxury services, but basic elements of good patient care such as talking with adult children, managing pain over the telephone, calling pharmacies, etc. Story
First study of Australia's high cost of pain reveals $34 billion price tag
November 19, 2007
For the first time, a dollar value has been attached to the high cost of pain in Australia in an MBF Foundation funded study that reveals a massive annual cost of $34.3 billion -- nearly $11,000 for each of the estimated 3.2 million people grappling with pain. The price tag of pain includes both financial costs and loss of healthy life. Story
Brain differences found in people with migraine
November 19, 2007
A recent study found that part of the cortex area of the brain is thicker in people with migraine than in people who do not have the neurological disorder. Story
Study shows durability of pregabalin for fibromyalgia pain: presented at ACR
November 12, 2007
In the first long-term study of pregabalin (Lyrica) treatment for fibromyalgia, researchers report durability of efficacy for treatment of fibromyalgia-related pain. Story
Low vitamin D raises pain and functional impairment in osteoarthritis:
November 12, 2007
Low levels of vitamin D are associated with more knee pain and walking difficulty in persons with knee osteoarthritis Story
Program of exercise and education improves function and symptoms in women with fibromyalgia
November 12, 2007
An exercise program that incorporates walking, strength training and stretching may improve daily function and alleviate symptoms in women with fibromyalgia. These benefits appear to be enhanced when exercise is combined with education about managing the disease. Story
Top cause of painful sex uncovered
November 8, 2007
Sex is supposed to be enjoyable, but for countless women suffering from vulvodynia, that’s not the case. Characterized by pain or discomfort with sexual intercourse, rawness,
stinging, itching and burning in the vagina or vulva, vulvodynia is a common condition, but it is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Story |
