The Pain Source

Description of the Hawkins impingement test for the diagnosis of shoulder impingement/tendinitis.

By Chris Faubel, M.D. -- Opioid withdrawal is a non-fatal, but excruciating, experience. Find out the typical signs/symptoms seen in opioid withdrawal, as well as the usual treatment options.

By Chris Faubel, M.D. -- Constipation is the most common adverse effect of long-term opioid management of pain. Learn the basic physiology, as well as, the prevention and treatment options currently available.

The following information is NOT meant to be used to treat yourself or patients Generic name = Ketorolac Trade name = Toradol Class = anti-inflammatory MOA Blocks cyclooxygenase (COX-1 & COX-2) and thus production of prostaglandins In vitro, ketorolac is the most COX-1 predominant NSAID (click here) Advantages When used IM or IV,...

By Chris Faubel, M.D. -- Commonly used terms used in the field of pain management are explained here. These include addiction, pseudoaddiction, opioid-induced hyperalgesia, tolerance, pseudotolerance, physical dependence, diversion, doctor-shopping.

By Chris Faubel, M.D. - Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are amongst the most widely used pain relievers used in the United States:  70+ million prescriptions are written each year, and if you include over-the-counter NSAIDs, 30+ billion doses are consumed annually. As pain...

By Chris Faubel, M.D. - Radiopaque contrast agents are essential to interventional pain physicians during fluoroscopically-guided injections. It is important to know which types of contrast are the most safe, what adverse reactions will look like, and what you can do to try to prevent adverse reactions in high-risk patients.

By Chris Faubel, M.D. -- Video demonstrating the Neer's Impingement Test for the diagnostic workup of supraspinatus impingement syndrome.

By Chris Faubel, MD -- Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) have gained popularity amongst pain physicians as an alternative to opioids or an adjuvant to the other medications. Learn about the different medications in this class, the FDA-approved and off-label use, the dosages, and the more common adverse effects.

By Chris Faubel, MD -- Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening adverse drug effect that can be caused by a combination of many commonly used medications in pain medicine. Find out which medications can cause this, and how to diagnosis this condition.