Speaking of Pain

Steriod injections have long been the go-to treatment for musculoskeletal ailments like low back pain and tennis elbow. Here, conventional wisdom gets a closer look.

Dr Steven King comments on recent New York City guidelines, the rationale behind them, and the many questions they leave open for discussion.

Epidural steroid injections turned deadly raise pointed controversy over poor oversight of compounding pharmacies. But tainted or not, are the injections a valid therapy for back pain at all? Here, one expert’s opinion.

There is some evidence for counseling patients with chronic pain about their intake of specific types of foods. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyamines, and foods rich in flavonoids are discussed here.

Screening instruments used to assess risk for abuse of opioid analgesics aren’t infallible, but they can be an adjunct to regular in-depth conversation with your patients.

Which prescribers will be most affected by the FDA's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program for extended-release and long-acting opioids? Probably not those it seeks to reign in. More, here.

The American Academy of Radiology guideline for use of imaging in the diagnosis of headache says these tests are rarely beneficial. Here, a review of when, and when not, to order MRIs or CT scans.

Benzodiazepines are overprescribed and abused; are increasingly responsible for emergency room visits; and are contraindicated for patients with chronic pain. Is this a surprise? Read more, here.

Patients often worry that low back pain indicates serious injury or disease that may rapidly progress. However, most acute back pain improves significantly within a month of onset and requires little treatment apart from OTC analgesics and sometimes heat.

Chronic pain management in the elderly is complex. Safe and effective use of analgesic medications in geriatric patients requires risk-benefit analysis.