Pain Clinic Drug diversion control plan Random clinical drug testing.2.Routine clinical drug testing.3.Random patient recall visits for covered medication counts.4.Provision of information to patients about proper medication storage, including not sharing medication.5.Prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) or other central repository of prescribing and dispensing record queries.
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Anatomy of a rotator cuff tear The rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that cover the head of the humerus bone and connect to the shoulder blade to give the shoulder mobility. It consists of four different muscles that are joined by tendons. Rotator cuff tears affect roughly two million Americans annually. Those who have suffered from a rotator cuff tear describe the pain as nagging and often limiting to their normal daily activities, especially when the activities involve lifting the arm above the head. Causes of […]
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Anatomy of the knee The knee is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body. The knee’s main movements are flexion (bending), extension (straightening), and twisting. There are four bones that make up the knee; the femur, the patella (knee cap), the tibia, and the fibula. Quadricepses are the muscles that support the front of the knee while the hamstring supports the back. These bones and muscles are all linked together through an intricate assemblage of tendons and ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) prevents the femur […]
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What causes neck pain? One of the most common complaints to doctors, especially pain specialists, is neck pain. Neck pain can be experienced by anyone but is more common in women than men. Neck pain has a number of causes that can either be considered acute or chronic. When an injury has a sudden onset and lasts for less than three months, it is considered acute and is commonly caused by muscle strain, facet syndrome, or a traumatic injury. Chronic neck pain lasts longer than three months and is often a result of facet […]
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Spinal stenosis is a condition that results from the narrowing of the spinal canal, which causes pain due to impingement of the spinal cord and associated nerves. Pain experienced as a result of spinal stenosis usually affects the lower back and lower extremities and often results in difficulty walking, a decrease in sensation in the lower extremities, and a reduction in physical activity. People affected by spinal stenosis are usually over 65. Scoliosis and hypertension are both considered risk factors. Interestingly, advancing in age makes a person more likely to be affected […]
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What is sciatica? Sciatica is characterized by sensory changes or weakness along the sciatic nerve pathway and is also often called lower extremity (L5/S1) radiculitis or radiculopathy. Those suffering from sciatica describe the sensation as “pins and needles” that affect the posterior buttocks, legs, and feet. Cauda Equina Syndrome is a medical emergency involving the loss of bowel and/or bladder control that results from sciatica. Other symptoms that are cause for concern include lower extremity weakness, bladder or bowel incontinence, or nerve impingement. The sciatic nerve is the longest, largest nerve […]
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Who suffers from back pain? Back pain is a common problem that affects millions of people worldwide. 15-20% of Americans from all demographics suffer from back pain. The majority of people with back pain can attribute it to a mechanical cause (injury), which tends to be benign. Back pain can, however, be an indicator of a more serious problem. Some of the causes of back pain are muscle strain, degeneration, vertebral fractures, associated with osteoporosis, and mechanical problems (hernia, etc). Rare but more serious causes include infection, nerve damage, cancer, and vascular problems. […]
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ARTHRITIS Care at Pain Clinic Pain Clinic. If you feel pain and stiffness in your body or have trouble moving around, you might have arthritis. Most kinds of arthritis cause pain and swelling in your joints. Joints are places where two bones meet, such as your elbow or knee. Over time, a swollen joint can become severely damaged. Some kinds of arthritis can also cause problems in your organs, such as your eyes or skin. Types of arthritis include Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It’s often related […]
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What to expect from your pain management specialist A pain management specialist is a doctor who evaluates your pain and treats a wide range of pain problems. A pain management doctor treats sudden pain problems such as headaches and many types of long-lasting, chronic, pain such as low back pain. Patients are seen in a pain clinic and can go home the same day. Pain management doctors offer a mix of medication-based treatments and procedures, that can stop the pain at its source. Types of pain treated by a Pain […]
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Medications that Warrant Special Attention in a Pain Clinic Sleeping Pills (Z Drugs and Others) The Z drugs—zolpidem, zaleplon, eszopiclone—are indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia. These medications are not benzodiazepines, but they do act on the same receptors and though they have a somewhat different risk profile (reduced seizure risk with withdrawal, for example) they share many of the adverse effects of benzodiazepines such as drowsiness, memory impairment, reduced coordination, depression, and sleep disturbances. Benzodiazepines are also commonly prescribed for insomnia, namely temazepam, and lorazepam. As noted, there […]
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