A Novel, Non-opioid Treatment for Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women with Previously Treated Endometriosis Utilizing Pelvic-Floor Musculature Trigger-Point Injections and Peripheral Nerve Hydrodissection.

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of uterine tissue outside the uterine cavity that can cause chronic pain, dysmenorrhea, and dyspareunia. Although the disease is common and nonmalignant in nature, the symptoms can severely impact function and quality of life. Treatment options for endometriosis are limited and not well understood despite a growing need. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of pelvic-floor musculature trigger-point injections and peripheral nerve hydrodissection in treating endometriosis symptoms, associated pain, and pelvic functionality. DESIGN: Retrospective longitudinal study case series. SETTING: Private practice. PATIENTS: Sixteen female patients with biopsy-confirmed endometriosis. INTERVENTIONS: Ultrasound-guided pelvic-floor trigger-point injections and peripheral nerve hydrodissection performed once a week for 6 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Pelvic pain intensity as measured pretreatment and posttreatment by the 0 to 10 Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Functional Pelvic Pain Scale (FPPS). RESULTS: Pretreatment, the mean VAS score was 6.0 (standard deviation [SD] 2.7), and posttreatment the mean VAS score was 2.9 (SD 2.6); P < .05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16 to 4.97. The mean total FPPS score before treatment was 14.4 (SD 5.2) and posttreatment it was 9.1 (SD 5.8); P < .05, 95% CI 1.34 to 9.28. Analysis of the subcategories within the FPPS indicated that the improvement was statistically significant in the categories of intercourse, sleeping, and working. In the category of intercourse, the mean change in score after treatment was 1.3 (P < .05, 95% CI 0.26-2.31). In the category of sleeping, the mean change in score after treatment was 1.2 (P < .05, 95% CI 0.32-1.99). In the category of working, the mean change in score after treatment was 0.9 (P < .05, 95% CI 0.18-1.53). CONCLUSIONS: Analysis suggests that the treatment was effective at relieving pain related to endometriosis; it also reflected promise in improving overall pelvic function, particularly in relation to intercourse, working, and sleeping.

Retrospective Analysis of Septic Arthritis Caused by Intra-Articular Viscosupplementation and Steroid Injections in a Single Outpatient Center.

BACKGROUND: Septic arthritis is defined by the presence of pathogen(s) in a joint by direct inoculation or hematogenous spread. Most common organisms include Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Clinical presentation is fever, warmth and night pain, with most common joints involved being the knee and hip. Iatrogenic septic arthritis is an uncommon complication of intra-articular injection for osteoarthritis yet its complications can be devastating. We aim to highlight ten cases of iatrogenic septic arthritis in retrospective study reviewing symptoms, signs, laboratory data, causing organisms and reasons leading to those infections. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of charts of ten patients who were admitted to Jersey Shore University Medical Center with diagnosis of iatrogenic septic arthritis. RESULTS: Average age of patients is 69.9 years. Most common comorbidities seen in our patient were hypertension and diabetes mellitus. The most common intra-articular agents that were injected were cortisone and Synvisc. The mean incubation period was 11.9 days. Most common presenting symptoms were joint pain and swelling. The most common organism isolated in cultures was Streptococcus mitis. A total of 100% of patients underwent surgical intervention for septic arthritis. One case was complicated by sepsis. CONCLUSIONS: Iatrogenic septic arthritis is not common; however its complications can be catastrophic to patients. Improper sterile techniques and untrained physicians are the main risks factors for this complication. Physicians should take proper sterile measures to avoid complications of intra-articular injections.