Prospective evaluation of combined local bupivacaine and steroid injections for the management of chronic vaginal and perineal pain

Using Myofascial Therapy to Improve Psychological Outcomes, Quality of Life, and Sexual Function in Women with Chronic Pelvic Pain-A Case Series

(1) Background: Chronic pelvic pain represents a prevalent condition afflicting women. Research has highlighted the presence of psychological distress and sexual dysfunction in these individuals. Regrettably, myofascial pelvic pain often goes unnoticed and untreated despite its integral role in chronic pelvic pain. (2) Methods: By employing a longitudinal case series design, we studied eighteen women afflicted with chronic pelvic pain. Over a 12-week period, these participants underwent 15 sessions of myofascial therapy. Data encompassing sociodemographic particulars, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12 questionnaire, and the Female Sexual Function Index were collected at baseline, 12 weeks post-intervention, and again at the 24-week mark. (3) Results: After a span of 12 weeks subsequent to the intervention, the participants demonstrated noteworthy enhancements (p < 0.001) in their depression and anxiety scores, their overall Mental Component scores in the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 12, as well as sexual function. Importantly, these gains were sustained at the 24-week juncture post-therapy. (4) Conclusions: The findings stemming from our prospective case study underscore the potential utility of myofascial therapy for women grappling with chronic pelvic pain. This form of intervention yields significant advancements in alleviating anxiety, depression, health-related quality of life, and sexual function.

A Comprehensive Review of the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS) is a chronic, noncyclic pain condition which can lead to significant patient morbidity and disability. It is defined by pain in the pelvic region, lasting for greater than 3 to 6 months, with no readily identifiable disease process. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive update of diagnosis and treatment of UCPPS.

RECENT FINDINGS

UCPPS encompasses chronic pelvic pain syndrome or chronic prostatitis (CP/CPPS) in men and interstitial cystitis or painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) in women. Underlying inflammatory, immunologic, and neuropathic components have been implicated in the pathogenesis of UCPPS. For optimal patient management, an individualized and multimodal approach is recommended. Medical management and physical therapy are the mainstays of treatment. Injection therapy may offer additional relief in medically refractory patients. Further minimally invasive management may include spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation, though evidence supporting efficacy is limited.

Postpartum chronic pain

Postpartum chronic pain is a clinical reality which affects 6.1% to 11.5% of women after delivery and affects their recovery. The large range of incidence observed in the literature relies on criteria used to define chronic postpartum pain. The features depend on the type of delivery. Cesarean delivery which rate is increasing worldwide seems currently associated with lower risk of chronic postpartum pain, specifically chronic pelvic pain. Further chronic scar pain which often involves a neuropathic component is often of mild intensity. In opposite, after vaginal delivery, chronic pelvic pain and perineal pain have an important negative impact on women's mood and quality of life. As for any chronic pain, individual risk factors account more than degree of tissue trauma. From actual reports in the field, better pain education of both women and health care providers might help to reduce the problem.

Current best practice management of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

Introduction

Over the last 100 years, the terminology and diagnosis criteria for interstitial cystitis have evolved. Many therapeutic options have changed, but others have endured. This article will review the idea of separating 'classic' Hunner lesion interstitial cystitis (HL IC) from non-Hunner lesion interstitial cystitis and bladder pain syndrome (N-HL IC/BPS) and their respective treatment algorithms.

Methods/Results

A literature search was performed to identify articles and research on HL IC and N-HL IC/BPS including definitions, etiological theories, and treatments. This article is an overview of the existing literature. We also offer insight into how HL IC and N-HL IC/BPS are approached at our tertiary referral center. Additionally, American Urological Association guidelines have been integrated and newer treatment modalities and research will be introduced at the conclusion.

Conclusion

The AUA guidelines have mapped out a stepwise fashion to treat IC/BPS; at our institution we separate patients with HL IC from those with N-HL IC/BPS prior to them entering a treatment pathway. We identify the rarer patient with HL as having classic 'IC'; this cystoscopic finding is critical in guiding treatment. We believe HL IC is a distinct disease from N-HL IC/BPS and therapy should focus on the bladder. The vast majority of patients with N-HL IC/BPS need management of their pelvic floor muscles as the primary therapy, complemented by bladder-directed therapies as needed as well as a multidisciplinary team to manage a variety of other regional/systemic symptoms. Ongoing research into IC/BPS will help us better understand the pathophysiology and phenotypes of this complex disease while exciting and novel research studies are developing promising treatments.

Development of chronic pain after episiotomy

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the incidence of chronic pain 5 months after episiotomy, as well as potential prognostic factors.

METHODS

A prospective cohort observational study was conducted on pregnant women age≥18 years who had undergone an episiotomy. The presence of pain was evaluated in the area of episiotomy at 24 and 48 h of delivery using a structured face-to-face questionnaire, and by telephone questionnaire at 5 months. The primary endpoint was the presence of persistent pain at 5 months. A record was made of the presence of pain at delivery, and its intensity, the presence or absence of epidural analgesia, instrumental delivery, perineal tear, and pain when episiotomy was performed, as well as the presence of dyspareunia and urinary incontinence at 5 months post-episiotomy.

RESULTS

A total of 87 parturient patients were included, of whom 78 completed the study. Of the patients who completed the study, 12.8% reported chronic episiotomy pain. Epidural analgesia was associated with a higher incidence of instrumental delivery and less pain at the time of episiotomy and expulsion (P<.0005, P<.02, and P<.01, respectively). Chronic pain is associated with operative delivery (P<.017), and with the presence of pain at rest at 24 and 48 h (P<.01), of wound complications (P<.026), and of dyspareunia (P<.001).

CONCLUSION

An incidence of 12.8% of women developing chronic pain after delivery with episiotomy suggests a health problem. More studies are needed to confirm our results.

Postpartum sexual health: a principle-based concept analysis

AIM

The aim of this study is to report an analysis of the concept of postpartum sexual health.

BACKGROUND

Postpartum sexual health is a minimally understood concept, most often framed within physical/biological dimensions or as a 'checklist' task in postpartum information provision. This has the potential to leave women unprepared to manage transient or normative sexual health changes after childbirth. For meaningful discussions, clarity and understanding of postpartum sexual health is required.

DESIGN

A principle-based method of concept analysis.

DATA SOURCES

The databases of PubMed, CINAHL, Maternity and Infant Care, PsychInfo, Web of Science, EMBASE, SCOPUS and Social Science Index were systematically searched, from their earliest dates, using a combination of key terms, including; 'sexual health', 'sexual function', 'dyspareunia', 'sexuality', 'sexual desire', 'sexual dysfunction', 'postnatal' and 'postpartum', resulting in a final included dataset of 91 studies.

METHODS

Using the principle-based approach, postpartum sexual health was analysed under the four philosophical principles of epistemological, pragmatic, linguistic and logical.

RESULTS

Philosophically, postpartum sexual health is underdeveloped as a concept. A precise theoretical definition remains elusive and, presently, postpartum sexual health cannot be separated theoretically from sexuality and sexual function. Identified antecedents include an instrument free birth, an intact perineum and avoidance of episiotomy. Attributes include sexual arousal, desire, orgasm, sexual satisfaction and resumption of sexual intercourse. Outcomes are sexual satisfaction and a satisfying intimate relationship with one's partner.

CONCLUSION

Postpartum sexual health is conceptually immature with limited applicability in current midwifery practice.

Effects of repeated steroid injection at subacromial bursa with different interval

Objective

To evaluate the effects of repeated steroid injection at subacromial bursa with different interval for patient with periarticular shoulder disorder.

Methods

Group A (n=10) received subacromial bursa injection only on their first visit, group C (n=10) received the injection on their first visit and one week later, and group B (n=10) received the injection on their first visit and two weeks later. All injections were done with a combination of 40 mg (1.0 mL) of triamcinolone and 5.0 mL 0.5% lidocaine (6 mL total). We examined the active range of motion (AROM) of the shoulder joint, visual analogue scale (VAS), and shoulder disability questionnaire (SDQ) at baseline at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the initial injection.

Results

In VAS, comparing the changes in VAS between groups, group B showed significant improvements compared with group A or C at 4 weeks after the initial injection (p<0.05). In SDQ, comparing the changes in SDQ between the groups, group B and C showed more improvement than group A at 4 weeks after the initial injection, but these results were not statistically significant (p>0.05). In AROM, comparing the changes in AROM of external rotation between groups, group B and C showed significant improvement compared with group A at 4 weeks after the initial injection (p<0.05).

Conclusion

It may be more effective in pain relief for patients with periarticular disorder to receive subacromial bursa injections twice with 2-week interval, as opposed to once.

Effects of subacromial bursa injection with corticosteroid and hyaluronidase according to dosage

Objective

To evaluate effects of subacromial bursa injection with steroid according to dosage and to investigate whether hyaluronidase can reduce steroid dosage.

Methods

Thirty patients with periarticular shoulder disorder were assigned to receive subacromial bursa injection once a week for two consecutive weeks. Ten patients (group A) underwent subacromial bursa injection with triamcinolone 20 mg; another group of ten patients (group B) with hyaluronidase 1,500 IU and triamcinolone 20 mg; and the other ten patients (group C) with triamcinolone 40 mg. We examined the active range of motion (AROM) of the shoulder joint, visual analogue scale (VAS), and shoulder disability questionnaire (SDQ) at study entry and every week until 1 week after the 2nd injection.

Results

All groups showed statistically significant improvements in VAS after 1st and 2nd injections. When comparing the degree of improvement in VAS, there were statistically significant differences between groups C and A or B, but not between groups A and B. SDQ was statistically significantly improved only in groups B and C, as compared to pre-injection. There were statistically significant differences in improvement of SDQ after the 2nd injection between groups C and A or B. Statistically significant improvements in AROM were shown in abduction (groups B and C) and in flexion (group C only).

Conclusion

Repeated high-dose (40 mg) steroid injection was more effective in terms of pain relief and functional improvements of shoulder joint than medium-dose (20 mg) steroid injection in periarticular disorder. Hyaluronidase seems to have little additive effect on subacromial bursa injection for reducing the dosage of steroid.

The additive effects of hyaluronidase in subacromial bursa injections administered to patients with peri-articular shoulder disorder

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the additive effects of hyaluronidase combined with steroids in patients with peri-articular shoulder disorder.

METHOD

Thirty patients with peri-articular shoulder disorder were given subacromial bursa injections once a week for three consecutive weeks. Fifteen patients (Group A) underwent subacromial bursa injections with hyaluronidase 1,500 IU, triamcinolone 40 mg and 0.5% lidocaine (total 6 ml). Another fifteen patients (Group B) underwent the same injections with triamcinolone 40 mg and 0.5% lidocaine (total 6 ml). We examined the active range of motion (AROM) in the shoulder, used a visual analogue scale (VAS) for measurement, and administered a shoulder disability questionnaire (SDQ) at the commencement of the study and then every week until one week after the third injection.

RESULTS

There were no significant difference between group A and B before the injections took place (p>0.05). Statistically significant improvement was seen in the VAS, SDQ, and AROM of flexion, abduction, internal rotation at one week after the first and second injections compared with the parameters measured at previous visits in both groups (p<0.05), except the SDQ between one week after the first and second injections in group B (p>0.05). Improvement in all parameters measured at one week after the third injection compared with the measurement values at one week after the second injection were not statistically significant in both groups (p>0.05). However, group A (the hyaluronidase group) showed significantly greater improvements than group B in terms of their SDQ and AROM of internal rotation scores one week after the three injections had taken place (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Peri-articular shoulder disorder patients who underwent subacromial bursa injections using hyaluronidase and steroids showed greater functional improvements than those who were given only steroid injections.