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Pain Management Methodology in Occupational Medicine
James Petros MD Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Internal Medicine Qualified Medical Evaluator
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General Goals Alleviate pain Increase function Return to work
Fully duty Stay at work
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Guiding Principles Investigate exhaustively Diagnose clearly
Treat systematically
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Begin the Investigation
History Physical Assess urgency of pain Differential diagnoses
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Workup Labs X-rays CT scans MRIs EMG/NCS Diagnostic blocks
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Pain Management Tools Education Medications Supplies Therapy
Procedures Surgery
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Education Etiology Prognosis Set realistic expectations
Answer questions Teach coping strategies Review home exercise program Reassurance?
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Medications NSAIDs Tylenol Muscle relaxers Opiates Adjuvants
Antidepressant (e.g. amitriptyline) Anticonvulsants (e.g. neurontin) Alpha-2-adrenergic agonists (e.g. zanaflex) Steroids
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Supplies Extremity splints Cervical orthotics Lumbar orthotics
Ambulatory devices TENS units
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Therapy Physical Occupational Chiropractic Acupuncture
HEP (home exercise program)
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Procedures Trigger point injections
Peripheral joint cortisone injections Spine intervention under fluoroscopy
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Surgery Refer immediately for urgent cases
Consider referral if no progress with conservative care Last resort
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Case Study #1 38 y.o. Female Receptionist/secretary at Company ABC
2-month history of intermittent right wrist, forearm, and elbow aching Patient consults with own PCP Diagnosed with “tendonitis” Advised about possibility of work-related injury Injury reported to employer Patient referred to AOM
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AOM Evaluation Begins Right-hand dominant Symptoms began gradually
Symptoms are worsening Increased pain with typing, lifting, pinching/grasping Decreased pain with rest 5 out of 10 pain intensity at end of work day Occasional tingling/numbness at right hand Starting to drop objects with right hand
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More History Past Medical History Hypothyroidism Occupational History
No previous work comp claims Working full-time performing secretarial duties No work restrictions Ergonomics evaluation several months ago Previous Injuries Right wrist fracture from skiing accident 5 years ago
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Past Surgical History “Right wrist operation” 5 years ago (no residual symptoms) Allergies “Ibuprofen upsets my stomach” Medications Thyroid supplements Not using pain meds (“I don’t really like to take pain meds”)
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Social History Recently divorced 2 year old daughter at home No tobacco abuse No illicit drug use “Drink a couple of glasses of red wine each night to help ease my mind and help me sleep”
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Review of systems Poor sleep Daily fatigue Low energy Stressed “Feeling down”
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Initial Physical Examination
No atrophy at upper extremities Slight tenderness over right wrist Moderate tenderness to palpation over right forearm extensors and lateral compartment of right elbow Full range at all RUE joints Neurologic exam negative Tinel’s and Phalen’s negative at right wrist
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Working Diagnoses Right wrist tendonitis due to occupational overuse
Right forearm strain due to occupational overuse Right elbow tendonitis due to occupational overuse
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Conservative Management Begins
Referred to physical therapy x 6 sessions Provided with Biofreeze Patient declines naproxen (NSAID) Accepts soft wrist splint Kept on full duty Asked to sign release of non-industrial medical records Asked to follow-up in 2 weeks
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Non-Industrial Medical Record
2004 skiing accident caused fracture of distal radius Successful ORIF performed Hypothyroidism x10 years Treated with levoxyl No mental health notes
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Case Age: Day #14 Completed 6 session of PT No noticeable improvement
Tingling and numbness becoming more prominent at right thumb and index finger Aching at wrist, forearm, and elbow taking longer to dissipate with rest Symptoms starting to awaken patient from sleep
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Treatment Plan PTP once again proposes NSAIDs More Biofreeze provided
Patient refuses More Biofreeze provided Rigid wrist splint provided for night use 6 more sessions of PT prescribed Work restrictions started Minimal grasp/pinch with right upper extremity No lifting over 15 lbs with right upper extremity Limit typing to 4 hrs/day RTC in 2 weeks
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Case Age: Day #28 No changes in clinical condition
Aching, tingling, numbness, and hand weakness persist Feeling more “depressed” No interest in oral medication Working light duty Continuing to use splints and Biofreeze
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Treatment Plan Request authorization for transfer of care to Physiatric Specialist
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Case Age: Day # 40 Comprehensive Physiatric Consultation
All records reviewed Outside records AOM provider notes PT notes Medication logs History Physical Treatment plan
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History Physical exam Details of cumulative injury confirmed
New info: “Dad passed away 6 months ago” Physical exam Pain with palpation of right lateral epicondyle Positive right Cozan’s test Pain with palpation of right dorsal forearm musculature Full ROM at wrist and elbow Positive Phalen’s on right Negative Tinel’s on right Positive carpal compression test on right at 10 seconds
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Case Highlights Mechanism of injury is related to “overuse” from occupational tasks Patient has hypothyroidism Patient has history of right wrist fracture s/p surgery Patient has “depressed” mood in context of family death Last ergo evaluation was “several months ago” Patient is opposed to oral pain relievers Patient is not improving with conservative care Presentation is concerning for right lateral epicondylitis and possible peripheral nerve entrapment
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My Initial Approach Discuss patient’s resistance to pain medications
Side effects? Fear of addiction? Philosophical? Aversion to pills by mouth?
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Review home exercise program
Frequency Duration Specific exercises performed Demonstration
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Educate Differential diagnoses Need for future tests Need for procedures Prognosis Answer questions
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Questions I Would Ask Myself
Are working diagnoses still legit? Can I find a medication that would be acceptable by patient? Is further therapy needed? What kind? Are other supplies needed? Is further diagnostic testing necessary?
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Are injections needed? Is this potentially a surgical case? Is another ergo evaluation needed? Should work restriction be adjusted? Has patient sought out support for mal-adjustment to father’s passing?
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Back to Case… Patient states that she is afraid of becoming dependent on oral pain meds and concerned about GI upset Agrees to try topical Voltaren Gel Admits to slacking on home exercises but agrees to perform more routinely Referred for wrist X-ray Referred for EMG/NCS New ergo evaluation is requested Counterforce tennis elbow brace is provided No changes in work restrictions Asked to see own PCP for mental health referral
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Right Wrist X-ray Well-healed callus at distal radius
No acute pathology
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EMG/NCS Electrodiagnostic evidence of sensorimotor median mononeuropathy at right wrist, consistent with mild-moderate carpal tunnel syndrome at right wrist No electrodiagnostic evidence of ulnar mononeurpathy No electrodiagnostic evidence of radial mononeuropathy No electrodiagnostic evidence of brachial plexopathy No electrodiagnostic evidence of polyneuropathy No electrodiagnostic evidence of myopathy No electrodiagnostic evidence of cervical radiculopathy
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Case Age: Day #52 Patient returns for scheduled follow-up
“Mild” improvement New ergonomic set-up at work Receiving psychological counseling thru Kaiser Voltaren gel helping to “take edge” off symptoms Using soft/rigid wrist splints and elbow brace HEP has become routine daily activity Exam is unchanged Informed about X-ray results Informed EMG/NCS results
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Next Treatment Steps Recommend cortisone injection to right elbow
Patient acquiesces Consent obtained 10 mg of Kenalog injected to right lateral epicondyle Refer to acupuncture x 6 sessions Start to loosen work restrictions RTC 10 to 14 days
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Case Age: Day #62 Patient returns ecstatic about dramatic resolution of right elbow pain No further forearm pain Self-discontinued acupuncture Paresthesias at right hand now rare Exam has normalized
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Next Treatment Steps Cortisone injection offered for right carpal tunnel, but patient declines Continue HEP, wrist splints, Voltaren gel prn Full duty trial RTC 1-2 weeks
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Case Age: Day #70 Tolerating full duty Generally asymptomatic
Maximally medically improved Permanent and Stationary
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Worker’s Compensation Issues
Causation Lateral epicondylitis Overuse Carpal tunnel syndrome Hypothyroidism History of wrist fracture Apportionment Apportion to causation (not required in this case) Impairment 0% WPI Future medical
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Case Study #2 50 y.o. Male Works in ‘Shipping & Receiving’ at Company XYZ Gradual-onset of escalating LBP during heavy repetitive lifting of boxes at warehouse Patient completes shift Goes home and starts taking Motrin
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Next morning: Unable to get out of bed Back pain is severe Right leg and foot have tingling/numbness Right leg feels heavy Worker’s Comp Claim opened Referred to AOM
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AOM Evaluation Begins Symptoms are constant 50% at mid/right low back
50% at posterior thigh, calf, lateral foot Pain intensity: 7 out of 10 No bowel/bladder problems Pain increased with lifting and bending forward Pain decreased with rest and Motrin
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Past Medical History Occupational History Previous Injuries
Hypertension GERD **No history of low back pain Occupational History No previous work comp claims Has worked full-time at Company XYZ for 15 yrs. Previous Injuries None reported
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Past Surgical History Allergies Medications None Mortin 400 mg BID
Norvasc 5 mg daily
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Social History Review of Systems No tobacco/alcohol/illicit drug abuse
Married with kids Rare exercise Review of Systems Poor sleep; otherwise unremarkable
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Initial Physical Examination
Mild distress BP 125/80 Antalgic gait Increased pain with forward flexion Decreased sensation at right foot Decreased ability to push-off with right foot Hypoactive right ankle jerk Positive right straight leg raise
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Working Diagnosis Disk protrusion with impingement of nerve root(s)
(Right-sided lumbar radiculopathy)
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Conservative Management Begins
Order lumbar x-rays (AP & lateral) Referred to physical therapy x 6 sessions Ibuprofen 800 mg TID Limit push/pull/lifting to 5 lbs. Minimal stooping/bending/crouching Follow-up in 1-2 week
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Case Age: Day #12 Routine follow-up No improvement
No new tingling/numbness/weakness Not working (due to lack of accommodations) Taking ibuprofen TID (“if I remember”) Exam unchanged BP 135/90 Lumbar x-ray: Degenerative disk changes
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Treatment Plan Referred to six more sessions of PT
Switched from ibuprofen to Mobic 15 mg daily Added flexeril 10 mg qhs No change in work restrictions Asked to follow-up in 2 weeks
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Case Age: Day #26 Routine follow-up No significant improvement
Complains of “heartburn” Still not working (restricted duties) Endorsing increased anxiety Exam unchanged BP 145/90
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Treatment Plan Request authorization for transfer of care to Physiatry
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Case Age: Day # 40 Comprehensive Physiatric Consultation
All records reviewed AOM provider notes PT notes Medication logs History Physical Treatment plan
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History Physical Details of acute injury confirmed
Lack of pre-existing injury confirmed Physical No apparent distress, BP 150/95 Normal gait Abnormalities: Flexion 75°/90° (with pain) Decreased sensation to pin-prick at right S1 dermatome Right S1 myotome 4+/5 Right ankle jerk is less brisk than contralateral side Right SLR with Lasague’s sign is positive
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Case Highlights Right S1 radiculopathy
Persistent at 6 weeks No progressive response to 12 sessions of PT, NSAIDs, muscles relaxers, and relative rest Multiple work restrictions in place Increasing blood pressure Worsening GERD Increasing anxiety
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Educate Patient Diagnosis Need for future tests Need for procedures
Prognosis Answer questions Set expectations
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Questions I would ponder…
Medications Should NSAIDs be discontinued given increasing BP? Should opiates be started? Should adjuvants be instituted? Should anti-hypertensives be titrated?
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Therapy Should therapy be continued? What kind of therapy should I order? Is HEP being followed? Frequency Duration Specific exercises performed Demonstration
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Diagnostics Are further tests required to clinch diagnosis? Are further tests needed to guide treatment? Which diagnostic study will be most helpful?
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Procedures Will the patient benefit from any spinal interventions? Is patient a surgical candidate?
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Work status Can patient’s restrictions be updated?
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Back to Case… Medications Therapy Diagnostics Procedures Work status
Discontinue Mobic Start Arthrotec Increase Norvasc Start Neurontin Start Vicodin prn Take meds with food Therapy Continue HEP Start chiropractic x 6 sessions Diagnostics Flexion/extension lumbar x-ray series MRI lumbar spine Procedures Pending diagnostics Work status No change until further treatment is rendered and response gauged
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Case Age: Day #50 Routine follow-up “Slightly” improved
No further “heart burn” HEP ongoing BP normalized (120/80) Exam unchanged (continued neuro deficits)
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Diagnostic Results Flexion/Extension X-rays No dynamic instability
MRI Lumbar Spine Multi-level DDD Multi-level facet arthropathy L5-S1 right-sided 7 mm disc protrusion impinging on right S1 nerve root
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Treatment Plan Request authorization for right S1 transforaminal epidural steroid injection Continue medications Continue HEP No change in work restrictions
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Case Age: Day #62 Right S1 transforaminal epidural steroid injection performed
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Case Age: Day #76 Routine follow-up
Dramatic >90% relief of back and right leg symptoms Back to pre-injury functional level Able to walk pain-free Able to bend pain-free Patient extremely happy Still using most pain meds (arthrotec, flexeril, neurontin) No longer needing Vicodin Neurologic exam has normalized
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Treatment Plan Discontinue flexeril, neurontin, vicodin
Change arthrotec scheduling to “strategic” prn Continue HEP (core strengthening) Loosen work restrictions Follow-up in 2 weeks
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Case Age: Day #80 Routine follow-up Enduring pain relief
Tolerating loosened work restrictions HEP ongoing Arthrotec prn only Exam generally unremarkable
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Treatment Plan Full duty trial RTC 2-3 weeks for P&S evaluation
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Case Age: Day #95 Soreness at low back by end of work day but tolerating full duty Maximally medically improved Permanent & Stationary
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Worker’s Compensation Issues
Causation Acute low back lifting injury Apportionment 50% employer 50 pre-existing degenerative disease Impairment Lumbar Spine DRE Category II 5 % Whole Body Impairment Future Medical
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Future Medical Medical follow-up for flare-ups or improved pain management Medication refills to optimize function and quality of life as it relates to this injury 2-12 sessions of rehabilitation per flare-up including physical therapy, acupuncture or chiropractic care (the type being dependent on which is most likely to improve function and/or improve capacity for self-care) Epidural injections by specialist if needed Diagnostics and interventional treatment to follow only if: a) recommended by specialist, and b) directly related to the original claim
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Alternate Ending to Case #2
After ESI(s), patient still symptomatic to the point where he is unable to tolerate full duty Consider: Surgical consultation Consider: Work Capacity Evaluation (WCE)
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Conclusions Investigate exhaustively Diagnose clearly
Treat systematically within confines of MTUS
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THANK YOU! Questions?
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