Pain 2 Flashcards
What is the new thinking in regards to RICE?
MEAT
movement
exercise
analgesic
treatment
How long is chronic pain?
pain lasting > 3 months
What can chronic pain lead to?
chronic pain syndrome
-fatigue, decreased activity, deconditioning
-depressed mood, substance use, suicidal ideation
-social and financial stress
What is the etiology of chronic pain?
often mixed etiologies
True or false: the exact cause of chronic pain is easily identifiable
false
What is chronic secondary pain?
diagnosed when pain originally emerges as a symptom of another underlying health condition
may persist even after the underlying condition has been treated, in which case it is considered a disease in its own right
What is chronic primary pain?
- persists or recurs for longer than 3 months and
- is associated with significant emotional distress and functional disability and
- the symptoms are not better accounted for by another disease
aka nociplastic pain
What is the correlation between severity and nerve injury for neuropathic pain?
severity may be out of proportion to the degree of severity of the pathology or initial nerve injury
What are the symptoms of neuropathic pain?
constant or pulsating pain (shock-like, burning, itching, buzzing)
hypersensitivity to external or internal stimuli
hyperalgesia: exaggerated pain by normally painful stimulus
allodynia: pain caused by normally nonpainful stimulus
What are the signs of neuropathic pain?
decreased pinprick sensitivity threshold measured with weighted needles
decreased vibratory sense measured using tuning fork
slowed peripheral nerve conduction on nerve conduction studies
What are the lab tests for neuropathic pain?
pain is always subjective
handheld screening devices and nerve conduction studies may be used
no specific lab tests but some non-specific tests can indicate nerve conduction issues (HbA1C, vitamin D, TSH, B12)
history +/- diagnostic proof of past trauma may be helpful
True or false: someone with nociplastic pain can appear to have no noticeable suffering
true
can appear to have no noticeable suffering to complete writhing pain for all waking hours
What can influence the perception of nociplastic pain?
mental/emotional factors
What are the symptoms of nociplastic pain?
described in any possible way, often varying in location or migrating
symptoms can change throughout the day or over time (often occur without a temporal association to an obvious noxious stimuli)
What are the signs of nociplastic pain?
in most cases, no obvious signs
comorbid conditions very commonly present
outcome of treamtne often unpredictable
What are the lab tests for nociplastic pain?
pain is always subjective
no specific lab tests but history +/- diagnostic proof of past trauma may be helpful
general labs may be considered (ex: vitamin D, TSH, B12)
How is nociplastic pain best diagnosed?
patient description/history
What are some common diagnoses for nociplastic pain?
chronic widespread pain syndrome (fibromyalgia)
CRPS
TMJ disorder
What score from the Douler Neuropathique likely indicates neuropathic pain is present?
> 4
What does the best pain treatment use a combination of?
the 4Ps
-prevention (sleep, activity, healthy lifestyle)
-psychological (counselling, relaxation, social support)
-physical (exercise, physio, massage, acupuncture)
-pharmaceutical
What is first line for chronic pain?
non-pharmacological therapies
What is essential for long-term success in chronic pain?
non-pharmacological therapies
What are some barriers to non-pharmacological therapies?
cost
availability
motivation
practical limitations
logistics
What are some enablers to non-pharmacological therapies?
realized benefit on physical, mental, and social wellbeing
adequate and regular identification of personal motivators
educate about hurt vs harm
generally less risk than meds
low-cost of free services available
What is the role of acetaminophen for chronic back pain?
does not appear effective, is not recommended by guidelines
-prn/adjunct use for acute on chronic pain
1st choice for people with dementia
If patients find benefit from acetaminophen for chronic back pain, what is the recommended dose?
lowest effective dose
-consider max: 3200mg/day
What is the role of NSAIDs for chronic back pain?
may be effective for some to manage chronic inflammation causing pain
-prn/adjunct use for acute on chronic pain
What is the recommended dosing of NSAIDs for chronic back pain?
lowest effective dose, shortest duration
-risks > benefits over time
Which NSAID is used for chronic back pain?
non-selective and COX-2 inhibitors comparable efficacy, must consider individualized risk vs benefit
-naproxen and ibuprofen less CV risk
-celecoxib less GI risk