Pain Management Essential Topics for Examinations

Anatomy: Anatomy of pain pathway.- Mechanisms of pain (peripheral and central sensitisation).- Classification of pain - nociceptive, neuropathic pain.- Acute and chronic pain.- Nociceptors. Assessment of pain: Patient evaluation – history and physical examination.- Assessment and measurement of acute pain.- Assessment of chronic pain.- Assessment in elderly.- Assessment in paediatrics. Diagnosis of pain: Radiography.- Fluoroscopy.- Ultrasonography.- Nuclear medicine and PET.- CT.- MRI.- Electromyography.- Quantitative sensory testing. Pharmacology: Opioids.- Nonopioids – NSAIDs, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, sodium and calcium channel antagonists, tramadol.- Topical agents.- Alternative and herbal pharmaceuticals.- Placebo. Non pharmacological pain management: Psychological and psychosocial evaluation.- Biofeedback.- Cognitive behavioural therapy.- Functional restoration of patients with pain.- Occupational therapy.- Hypnosis.- Relaxation and imagery.- Family support.- Pain management program. Acute pain management: Post surgical pain management.- Pain management for trauma.- Labour pain management.- Burn pain.- Acute low back pain.- Patient controlled analgesia. Chronic pain management: Neuropathic pain.- Ischaemic and visceral pain.- Fibromyalgia, arthritic and myofascial pain.- Headache.- Cancer pain.- Abdominal pain.- Neck pain and whiplash injury.- Facial pain.- Neck and arm pain.- Herpes zoster and post herpetic neuralgia.- Pain following spinal cord injury.- Chronic Low back pain.- Orofacial pain.- Trigeminal pain.- Aids related pain.- Arthritis.- CRPS.- Fibromyalgia.- Peripheral neuropathy.- Sickle cell.- phantom pain.- HIV.- Pelvic pain Special groups: Paediatric.- Addiction.- Elderly Special techniques: Acupuncture.- Intrathecal drug delivery.- Botulinum toxin.- Spinal cord stimulation.- Epidural steroids.- Facet joint injections.- Radiofrequency ablation.- Peripheral nerve stimulation.- TENS.- Physiotherapy.