A 10-year analysis of application and match rates for pain medicine training in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: We analyzed application and match rates for pain medicine training in the United States and hypothesized that there would be (1) greater growth in the number of training positions than applicants, (2) higher match rates among US allopathic graduates relative to non-US allopathic graduates, and (3) greater number of unfilled training positions over time. DESIGN: Retrospective, cross-sectional study of all applicants for pain medicine training in the United States. METHOD: National Resident Matching Program data were obtained over a ten-year period (2014-2023). Match rates and applicant-to-position ratios were calculated and compared over time with linear regression. Comparisons were made with chi-square tests. RESULTS: Growth in the number of annual training positions (261-377, 44% increase) exceeded growth in the number of interested applicants (398-415, 4% increase) (P < .001). Annual applicant-to-training position ratios decreased (1.5-1.1, P < .001). The representation of US allopathic graduates among incoming pain medicine fellows decreased over the study period (73%-58%, P < .001) while US osteopathic graduates increased (9%-28%, P < .001).Match rates increased for both US allopathic graduates (71%-91%, P < .001) and non-US allopathic graduates (51%-81%, P < .001). From 2018 to 2023, US allopathic graduates (79%) had higher match rates than US osteopathic graduates (60%, P < .001) and international medical graduates (57%, P < .001). More available annual training positions went unfilled over the study period (2%-5%, P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: Stagnant annual applicant volume and increasing number of available training positions have led to increasing match rates for pain medicine fellowship training. Fewer US allopathic graduates are pursuing pain medicine training. The increasing percentage of unfilled training positions warrants ongoing surveillance.

Shoulder terminal sensory articular nerve radiofrequency ablation for nonsurgical refractory shoulder pain due to rotator cuff pathology and osteoarthritis: a technical note.

BACKGROUND: Given the high prevalence of chronic shoulder pain and encouraging early results of terminal sensory articular branch radiofrequency ablation to treat shoulder pain, research is warranted to refine the procedural technique on the basis of updated neuroanatomic knowledge with the goal of further improving patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: We describe an updated radiofrequency ablation protocol that accounts for varied locations of the terminal sensory articular branches of the suprascapular, axillary, subscapular, and lateral pectoral nerves within individual patients. DESIGN: Technical note. METHODS: Cadaveric studies delineating the sensory innervation of the shoulder joint were reviewed, and a more comprehensive radiofrequency ablation protocol is proposed relative to historical descriptions. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed radiofrequency ablation protocol, which is based on neuroanatomic dissections of the shoulder joint, will provide a safe means of more complete sensory denervation and potentially improve clinical outcomes compared with historical descriptions, the efficacy of the new protocol must be confirmed in prospective studies.

Normality analysis of numeric rating scale scores in patients with chronic axial spine pain before and after medial branch blocks: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: The statistical analysis typically used to compare pain before and after interventions assumes that scores are normally distributed. The present study evaluates whether numeric rating scale (NRS) scores, specifically NRS-11 scores, are indeed normally distributed in a clinically relevant cohort of adults with chronic axial spine pain before and after analgesic intervention. METHODS: Retrospective review from 4 academic medical centers of prospectively collected data from a uniform pain diary administered to consecutive patients after they had undergone medial branch blocks. The pain diary assessed NRS-11 scores immediately before injection and at 12 different time points after injection up to 48 hours. D'Agostino-Pearson tests were used to test normality at all time points. RESULTS: One hundred fifty pain diaries were reviewed, and despite normally distributed pre-injection NRS-11 scores (K2 = 0.655, P = .72), all post-injection NRS-11 data were not normally distributed (K2 = 9.70- 17.62, P = .0001-.008). CONCLUSIONS: Although the results of parametric analyses of NRS-11 scores are commonly reported in pain research, some properties of the NRS-11 do not satisfy the assumptions required for these analyses. The data demonstrate non-normal distributions in post-intervention NRS-11 scores, thereby violating a key requisite for parametric analysis. We urge pain researchers to consider appropriate statistical analysis and reporting for non-normally distributed NRS-11 scores to ensure accurate interpretation and communication of these data. Practicing pain physicians should similarly recognize that parametric post-intervention pain score statistics might not accurately describe the data and should expect articles to utilize measures of normality to justify the selected statistical methods.

Capsaicin 8% Patch for Spinal Cord Injury Focal Neuropathic Pain, a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Neuropathic pain (NP) after spinal cord injury (SCI) exacerbates disability, decreases quality of life (QOL), and is often refractory to available therapies. Patients report willingness to trade potential recovery of strength, bowel, bladder, or sexual function for pain relief. One proposed mechanism causing NP is up-regulation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV 1) proteins in uninjured C fibers and dorsal root ganglia causing neuronal excitability. Recent studies have found up-regulation of TRPV 1 proteins after SCI. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize the application of capsaicin 8% patch (C8P), FDA approved for NP in diabetic peripheral neuropathy and post-herpetic neuralgia, will improve pain, function and QOL in persons with SCI. METHODS: Randomized single-blind crossover design in which 11 persons with SCI and NP refractory to two oral pain medications received C8P or a control low dose Capsaicin 0.025% patch (CON) over two 12-week periods. Pain (VAS, MPI-SCI), quality of life (WHO-QOL), and functional status (SCIM) were measured at 2-4-week intervals. RESULTS: There was a main treatment effect of C8P over CON on VAS and MPI-SCI outcomes with pain reduction of 35% and 29% at weeks 2 and 4, respectively. C8P also demonstrated a main treatment effect over CON on the SCIM mobility subscale. WHO-QOL scores did not improve with C8P. CONCLUSIONS: C8P improves pain and mobility for patients with SCI and refractory NP. Larger studies should be performed to evaluate impact of repeat applications and QOL outcomes.

To teach or not to teach? Assessing medical school faculty motivation to teach in the era of curriculum reform.

BACKGROUND: Medical schools have undergone a period of continual curricular change in recent years, particularly with regard to pre-clinical education. While these changes have many benefits for students, the impact on faculty is less clear. METHODS: In this study, faculty motivation to teach in the pre-clinical medical curriculum was examined using self-determination theory (SDT) as a framework. Basic science and clinical faculty were surveyed on factors impacting their motivation to teach using validated scales of motivation as well as open-ended questions which were coded using self-determination theory (SDT) as a guiding framework. RESULTS: Faculty reported that teaching activities often meet their basic psychological needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Professors were more likely than associate professors to report that teaching met their need for autonomy. Faculty were more motivated by intrinsic as compared to external factors, although basic science faculty were more likely than clinical faculty to be motivated by external factors. Motivating and de-motivating factors fell into the themes Resources, Recognition and Rewards, Student Factors, Self-Efficacy, Curriculum, Contribution, and Enjoyment. The majority of factors tied to the faculty's need for relatedness. Based on these findings, a conceptual model for understanding medical school faculty motivation to teach was developed. CONCLUSIONS: Assessing faculty motivation to teach provided valuable insights into how faculty relate to their teaching roles and what factors influence them to continue in those roles. This information may be useful in guiding future faculty development and research efforts.

The role of identity in chronic pain cognitions and pain-related disability within a clinical chronic pain population.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic pain has a significant impact on functioning and results in the disruption of one's assumed life trajectory, potentially altering their self-perceived identity. The present research is designed to determine whether identity-related issues are associated with common chronic pain cognitions and pain-related disability, which may help inform understanding of clinical chronic pain populations. METHOD: Ninety-eight adult chronic pain patients were assessed at a local pain clinic during a regularly scheduled appointment focusing on pain management. Multivariate hierarchal regression was used to determine whether issues related to identity and death anxiety were associated with pain catastrophizing, pain acceptance, and pain-related disability, above and beyond pain severity, fear-avoidance, and age. RESULTS: Self-concept clarity was significantly related to pain catastrophizing and pain acceptance, above and beyond death anxiety, pain severity, fear-avoidance, and age. Death anxiety was associated with pain catastrophizing, pain acceptance, and pain-related disability above and beyond pain severity, fear-avoidance, and age. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first examination of self-concept clarity and death anxiety as they relate to pain catastrophizing, pain acceptance, and pain-related disability. These descriptive results support the inclusion of identity and death anxiety within the pain experience and could serve as a foundation for future directions relevant to clinical applications.

The Effectiveness of Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurostimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain and Chronic Neuropathic Pain of the Lower Extremity: A Comprehensive Review of the Published Data.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of dorsal root ganglion neurostimulation for the treatment of refractory, focal pain in the pelvis and lower extremities. DESIGN: Systematic review. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was ≥50% pain relief. Secondary outcomes were physical function, mood, quality of life, opioid usage, and complications. RESULTS: One pragmatic randomized controlled trial, four prospective cohort studies, and eight case series met the inclusion criteria. A worst-case scenario analysis from the randomized controlled trial reported ≥50% pain relief in 74% of patients with dorsal root ganglion neurostimulation vs. 51% of patients who experienced at least 50% relief with spinal cord stimulation at 3 months. Cohort data success rates ranged from 43% to 83% at ≤6 months and 27% to 100% at >6 months. Significant improvements were also reported in the secondary outcomes assessed, including mood, quality of life, opioid usage, and health care utilization, though a lack of available quantitative data limits further statistical analysis. Complication rates vary, though the only randomized controlled trial reported a higher rate of adverse events than that seen with traditional neurostimulation. CONCLUSIONS: In accordance with the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system, low-quality evidence supports dorsal root ganglion neurostimulation as a more effective treatment than traditional neurostimulation for pain and dysfunction associated with complex regional pain syndrome or causalgia. Very low-quality evidence supports dorsal root ganglion neurostimulation for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain, chronic neuropathic groin pain, phantom limb pain, chronic neuropathic pain of the trunk and/or limbs, and diabetic neuropathy.

Radiofrequency Ablation for Chronic Hip Pain: A Comprehensive, Narrative Review.

Chronic hip pain can be treated with physical therapy, oral medications, injections, and, definitively, total hip arthroplasty. Enough patients have contraindications to and refractory pain even after total hip arthroplasty, that there is a need to develop alternative managements for this disabling condition. This article examines the state of hip radiofrequency ablation literature including relevant anatomy, patient selection, and treatment outcomes.

Putting Our Shoulder to the Wheel: Current Understanding and Gaps in Nerve Ablation for Chronic Shoulder Pain.

Shoulder pain is prevalent, burdensome, and functionally limiting, with diverse pathology and associated treatments. This narrative review provides a summary of relevant neuroanatomy, proposed ablation targets, safety and efficacy concerns for ablation targets, and current research gaps. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of peripheral sensory nerves is a well-established treatment for chronic joint and spine pain, but it is relatively nascent for shoulder pain. Cadaveric studies demonstrate the shoulder joint is innervated by articular branches of the suprascapular nerve, axillary nerve, lateral pectoral nerve, and upper and lower subscapular nerves. Shoulder articular branch RFA appears to be a safe and effective treatment for chronic shoulder pain, but there are currently no widely accepted protocols for ablation targets. There are also no randomized controlled trials (RCT) assessing safety and efficacy of proposed targets or the prognostic value of articular blocks. Future research studies should prioritize categorical data, use appropriate functional measures as primary endpoints, and would ideally include a large-scale RCT.

Innervation of the Posterior Hip Capsule: A Cadaveric Study.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies of hip anatomy have turned to the posterior hip capsule to better understand the anatomic location of the posterior capsular sensory branches and identify nerves with potential for neural blockade. Current literature has shown the posterior hip capsule is primarily supplied by branches from the sciatic nerve, nerve to quadratus femoris, and superior gluteal nerve (1, 2). This cadaveric study investigated the gross anatomy of the posterior hip, while also identifying potential targets for hip analgesia, with emphasis on the superior gluteal nerve and nerve to quadratus femoris. DESIGN: Cadaveric study. SETTING: UT Health San Antonio Anatomy Lab. METHODS: In total, 10 total cadavers (18 hips total), were posteriorly dissected identifying nerve to quadratus femoris, superior gluteal nerve, and sciatic nerve. Nerves were labeled with radio-opaque markers. Following the dissections, fluoroscopic images were obtained at sequential angles to identify neural anatomy and help expand anatomic knowledge for interventional pain procedures. RESULTS: The posterior hip capsule was supplied by the sciatic nerve in 1/16 hips, the nerve to quadratus femoris in 15/18 hips, and the superior gluteal nerve in 6/18 hips. CONCLUSIONS: The nerve to quadratus femoris reliably innervates the posterior hip joint. Both the sciatic nerve and superior gluteal nerve have small articular branches that may be involved in posterior hip innervation, but this is not seen commonly. The results of this study may elucidate novel therapeutic targets for treatment of chronic refractory hip pain (i.e., the nerve to quadratus femoris).

Do Corticosteroid Injections for the Treatment of Pain Influence the Efficacy of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines?

MYTH: Corticosteroid injection for the treatment of pain and inflammation is known to decrease the efficacy of the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). FACT: There is currently no direct evidence to suggest that a corticosteroid injection before or after the administration of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine decreases the efficacy of the vaccine.However, based on the known timeline of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis suppression following epidural and intraarticular corticosteroid injections, and the timeline of the reported peak efficacy of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, physicians should consider timing an elective corticosteroid injection such that it is administered no less than 2 weeks prior to a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine dose and no less than 1 week following a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine dose, whenever possible.

Diabetic Neuropathy: a Critical, Narrative Review of Published Data from 2019.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This manuscript is a systematic, narrative review that compiles and describes all data available from 2019 related to epidemiologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic advances in diabetic neuropathy (DN). RECENT FINDINGS: Epidemiology of DN is discussed. Diagnostic modalities include predictive models, electrodiagnostics, imaging, and biomarkers. A majority of studies on the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) involve pharmacotherapy, but complementary and alternative medicine, exercise, modalities, psychological, interventional, and surgical options are also explored. DN is a highly prevalent and debilitating consequence of diabetes that can present challenges to the clinician as the assessment is largely subjective with different phenotypic presentations among patients. Treatment of DN is largely symptomatic as the pathogenesis of DN is not fully understood and is likely multifactorial. It is evident from the broad range of treatments that too often provide unsatisfactory relief that there is no consensus about a single most effective treatment for DN, and monotherapy rarely proves to be successful.

Use of corticosteroids for adult chronic pain interventions: sympathetic and peripheral nerve blocks, trigger point injections - guidelines from the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, the International Pain and Spine Intervention Society, and the North American Spine Society.

BACKGROUND: There is potential for adverse events from corticosteroid injections, including increase in blood glucose, decrease in bone mineral density and suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Published studies note that doses lower than those commonly injected provide similar benefit. METHODS: Development of the practice guideline was approved by the Board of Directors of American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine with several other societies agreeing to participate. The scope of guidelines was agreed on to include safety of the injection technique (landmark-guided, ultrasound or radiology-aided injections); effect of the addition of the corticosteroid on the efficacy of the injectate (local anesthetic or saline); and adverse events related to the injection. Based on preliminary discussions, it was decided to structure the topics into three separate guidelines as follows: (1) sympathetic, peripheral nerve blocks and trigger point injections; (2) joints; and (3) neuraxial, facet, sacroiliac joints and related topics (vaccine and anticoagulants). Experts were assigned topics to perform a comprehensive review of the literature and to draft statements and recommendations, which were refined and voted for consensus (≥75% agreement) using a modified Delphi process. The United States Preventive Services Task Force grading of evidence and strength of recommendation was followed. RESULTS: This guideline deals with the use and safety of corticosteroid injections for sympathetic, peripheral nerve blocks and trigger point injections for adult chronic pain conditions. All the statements and recommendations were approved by all participants after four rounds of discussion. The Practice Guidelines Committees and Board of Directors of the participating societies also approved all the statements and recommendations. The safety of some procedures, including stellate blocks, lower extremity peripheral nerve blocks and some sites of trigger point injections, is improved by imaging guidance. The addition of non-particulate corticosteroid to the local anesthetic is beneficial in cluster headaches but not in other types of headaches. Corticosteroid may provide additional benefit in transverse abdominal plane blocks and ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve blocks in postherniorrhaphy pain but there is no evidence for pudendal nerve blocks. There is minimal benefit for the use of corticosteroids in trigger point injections. CONCLUSIONS: In this practice guideline, we provided recommendations on the use of corticosteroids in sympathetic blocks, peripheral nerve blocks, and trigger point injections to assist clinicians in making informed decisions.