Dr. Nathaniel Evans writes…”Of all work-related medical complaints, back pain is the complaint accounting for the greatest cost and is arguably the most mismanaged condition in occupational medicine.”  I have to agree and furthermore state that as a workers compensation case manager, it is one of the most difficult to manage.
There is evidenced based practice which indicates that various therapies, imaging studies and surgeries often ordered by physicians for regional back pain offer no benefit over anti-inflammatory medication and advice to continue activities as tolerated!
Dr. Evans provides some …

Image by mangpages via Flickr

April 27 at 8 PM Eastern
Webinar: Epidural Hematoma:  When Hours Count
Cheryl Gatti, RN BSN LNCC, Lark & Gatti Medical Legal Consultants
Jude Lark, RN BSN CCRN
An undiagnosed epidural hematoma may result in devastating permanent injuries – paralysis and incontinence. The risks are increasing as more surgeries and procedures, including pain management with epidural catheters, are being performed and have the potential for the development of epidural hematomas. Liability may fall on the shoulders of the nurses and physicians associated with a failure to diagnose or a delay …

Image by chrisjohnbeckett via Flickr

In both of my roles, as a nurse life care planner and nurse case manager, I have frequent exposure to individuals suffering from chronic pain, either as a result of a traumatic injury or due to disease progression and aging.  In reading this article, I had to wonder what other methods of pain management, outside of prescription painkillers, were being employed in these tragic cases.
In my practice I examine all of the issues involved in cause and treatment of the patient’s chronic pain Many times, a …