Posterior hip pericapsular neurolysis (PHPN) for inoperable hip fracture: an adjunct to anterior hip pericapsular neurolysis.

BACKGROUND: The development of anterior hip neurolysis has made an appreciable impact on the management of patients with inoperable hip fracture. Nonetheless, suboptimal analgesic benefit was still observed in some patients. We therefore developed a novel posterior hip pericapsular neurolysis (PHPN) to complement anterior hip neurolysis in inoperable hip fracture. METHODS: In this retrospective review, we analyzed patients who responded suboptimally (defined as composite pain score moderate or higher on hip flexion 80°) to the anterior hip neurolysis from July 2019 to March 2021. The patients received additional PHPN if the composite pain score was suboptimal. The percentage of patients with dynamic composite pain scores on hip flexion to 80° and on gentle hip external and internal rotation on post-intervention day 5 was then evaluated. RESULTS: Among the 70 patients who were reviewed in the study period, 20 patients who partially responded to anterior hip neurolysis received an addition of diagnostic posterior hip pericapsular block. Eighteen patients were the positive responders and PHPN was then performed. Among the PHPN recipients, a high percentage with satisfactory dynamic pain control was observed with 78% on hip flexion 80° and 83% on hip external/internal rotation on day 5 following the intervention. No procedural adverse event was noted. CONCLUSIONS: While most patients responded satisfactorily to anterior hip neurolysis, we concluded PHPN could be an effective adjunct to manage suboptimal pain control after anterior hip neurolysis in inoperable hip fracture. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NTWC/REC/21061.

Chemical Hip Denervation for Inoperable Hip Fracture.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture is a challenging geriatric problem for the health care professionals, especially in patients with multiple comorbidities. In patients with inoperable hip fracture secondary to severe comorbid conditions, the pain can lead to significant challenges in nursing care. With the current understanding of the innervation of hip joint, we are now able to perform selective chemical denervation of the articular branches of femoral and obturator nerves to manage the pain associated with inoperable hip fracture. METHODS: In this retrospective case series, we analyzed 20 consecutive patients with inoperable hip fracture who received chemical denervation and examined the effect of the denervation on pain and functional outcomes, including the maximally tolerable hip flexion and the ability to sit during their hospital stay. We also assessed the likelihood of being ambulatory as a long-term outcome. RESULTS: The movement-related pain was significantly reduced at 10 minutes postprocedure, on postintervention days 1 and 5 (P values of <.001), and the degree of maximally tolerable hip flexion was doubled at the same time points (P values of <.001, .003, and .002, respectively). Fifty percent of the patients managed to sit within the first 5 days after procedure, and 3 of them managed to walk with aid 4 months after hip denervation. No procedural adverse event was noted. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that this chemical hip denervation could be a safe and effective measure to handle the pain-related and rehabilitation-related challenges as a result of inoperable hip fracture.

Ultrasound-Guided Pericapsular Hip Joint Alcohol Neurolysis for the Treatment of Hip Pain: A Case Report of a Novel Approach.

Severe pain after a hip fracture commonly delays hospital discharge and poses significant nursing problems in patients who are not surgical candidates. We present ultrasound-guided pericapsular hip alcohol neurolysis of the articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves as a novel approach in the treatment of severe pain after hip fracture. This technique provided excellent pain relief in a 94-year-old patient with intertrochanteric hip fracture until her death 2 months later.

Prevalence of common chronic pain in Hong Kong adults.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic pain is prevalent in many Western countries. Its prevalence in a non-Caucasian population is not known. The authors performed this study to measure the prevalence of chronic pain in the Hong Kong Chinese adult population, as well as the pattern of pain and the demographic characteristics, the impact on social and work function, and the help-seeking behavior of those with pain. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey using telephone interview with a structured questionnaire. Chronic pain was defined as pain persisting for more than 3 months. SUBJECTS: A random sample of over 1,000 persons out of the entire Chinese adult population of Hong Kong. RESULTS: One thousand fifty-one adults were interviewed. One hundred thirteen (10.8% [95% C.I.: 8.9%-12.7%]) had chronic pain. The median number of pains was two. Of those with chronic pain, 38.3% reported their work was affected, and 19.8% had taken a median of 5 days' sick leave in the past year; 70.8% said the pain had interfered with their daily life, 88.5% had tried self-treatment, and 74.3% had sought medical advice. Only 35.7% considered the treatment definitely helpful. Two risk factors were identified: the female gender (O.R. 1.5, 95% C.I. 1.0-2.3) and age greater than 60 (O.R. 2.2, 95% C.I. 1.3-3.6). CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that the prevalence of chronic pain in Hong Kong adults was approximately 10.8%. Work and daily life are significantly affected and there is considerable demand on the health care system. Despite the ethnic difference, the prevalence, pattern, and demographic characteristics of chronic pain in Hong Kong are very similar to those seen in Western countries.