How is Mr. Lane Now?
He will return to farming in late September 2014.
He has some residual numbness in right hand.
He has pain in the right upper extremity but is managing his pain with exercise, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS for short, and medication.
He has completed his outpatient counseling.
Summary of Evidence
Let’s discuss the summary of the evidence in this module.
- Compression garment – there is no conclusive evidence that it is the best strategy for pain management.
- Physical therapy – there is moderate evidence that physical therapy will help for pain management.
- Pain clinic – there is limited evidence that it will help for pain management
- Biopsychosocial model – there is strong evidence that the biopsychosocial model that includes biology, social, and psychology will help with pain management.
- Counseling – there is strong evidence that counseling will help with pain management.
- TENS – there is limited evidence that TENS will help with pain management.•Cubital Tunnel Decompression – there is limited evidence that cubital tunnel decompression with help with pain management.
Take Home Messages
- Opioid Risk Tool: Best practice is to complete the tool prior to prescribing opioid medication.
- Psychosocial Issues: These impact both acute and chronic pain and best practice would be to assess and treat these issues as soon as possible in the plan of care.
- Interdisciplinary Communication: Best practice is to share information in all three realms of the biopsychosocial model in order to meet the needs of the patient and family.
- Medical resources: Best practice is to be aware of what resources are available and accessible in the community of the patient and family.
