Inflammation in the knee was found to be associated with development of pain sensitization in recent research with a cohort from the Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study (MOST). This research finding may indicate that targeting of inflammation could help reduce pain severity in knee osteoarthritis (OA). Tuhina Neogi, MD, PhD, says that her and her colleagues’ research,…
A 50-year-old man with history of superficial bladder carcinoma presented to our rheumatology clinic for a three-year history of symmetric polyarthralgias. He had undergone multiple transurethral resection of bladder tumor procedures and bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) treatments. Prior to receiving BCG, he was fully functional and employed. Days after receiving his second BCG treatment, he developed…
A recent review has expanded the current thinking about the benefits of exercise therapy for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Study participants experienced improved sleep, physical function and self-perceived general health…
When uric acid becomes elevated in the human body, a variety of problems can develop, most notably gout—a painful, inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystal deposition in joints. Chronically elevated uric acid can also lead to painful kidney stones. The majority of patients found to have hyperuricemia, however, never go on to develop gout…
(Reuters Health)—Massage is better than nothing for pain relief, according to a new review. The therapy may also be an acceptable choice for people considering other options, such as acupuncture and physical therapy. “It should be considered at least for musculoskeletal pain as a viable option in the mix of pain management techniques in these areas,”…
(Reuters)—Eli Lilly and Co. on Tuesday said it and partner Pfizer Inc. aim to seek approval by 2018 for a new type of pain drug that could be an alternative to opioids for osteoarthritis, chronic back pain and cancer pain. The Indianapolis drugmaker said tanezumab, given by injection every eight weeks, could be a far…
Hand and digit pain are common presenting symptoms to primary care physicians, rheumatologists, physiatrists and neurologists. There are many causes, but quality and location of the pain can be important clues to the diagnosis. Glomus tumors, neurovascular hamartomas of the glomus body, are an uncommon cause of hand pain. The glomus unit itself is a…
Clinical trials have begun to determine if disodium zoledronate tetrahydrate is safe and effective for treating pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis. The FDA has approved the use of ixekizumab for the treatment of plaque psoriasis. And a study has shown that patients with SLE treated with belimumab may be able to decrease steroid use…
Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while acknowledging and non-judgmentally accepting one’s feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations. Known in Sanskrit as smrti, meaning “to remember,” in Pali, the language of early Buddhist scriptures, it is recognized by the word sati (mindfulness).1 Derived from ancient meditative Buddhist disciplines,…
Subjectivity and the differences in how patients with autoimmune and other diseases perceive pain make the study and treatment of pain difficult. But Yvonne Lee, MD, says future advances in neuroimaging may aid in the objective study of pain and innovative treatments…