Chronic pain following distal biceps rupture (DBR) is often nonspecific in that it may arise due to the injury, subsequent surgical repair, or a combination of factors, making the painful symptoms challenging to treat. Peripheral nerve injury in the setting of DBR most commonly affects the musculocutaneous nerve or one of its terminal branches and may lead to chronic neuropathic pain involving the elbow and lateral/radial aspect of the forearm. In this brief technical report, we describe an ultrasound-guided (USG) technique for percutaneous implantation of a peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) targeting the musculocutaneous nerve, along with an illustrative case report of successful treatment of chronic refractory pain following DBR utilizing this technique. Six months postimplantation, the patient reported a greater than 60% baseline pain intensity reduction, and no complications were noted.
Introduction: Approximately 15% to 40% of persons with chronic pain as a primary disorder experience brain fog. Prior research has investigated the etiology of "brain fog" in conditions in which pain presents as a key feature (e.g., fibromyalgia). However, it remains understudied in the context of chronic 10 musculoskeletal pain. Following current scoping review guidelines, we obtained stakeholder input from patient and health care professionals (HCPs) to define this phenomenon. Specific aims of this review were to (1) identify factors contributing to brain fog, (2) identify the functional correlates of brain fog and assessments used to measure them, and (3) establish a definition of brain fog that can be employed by researchers and HCPs to advance research and care.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted using recommendations of the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology of scoping reviews and the Levac et al methodology. Embase, Cinahl, PsycINFO, and Medline was searched to identify relevant sources. Findings were verified with patient and healthcare professionals.
Results: We identified four 15 key features of brain fog: perceived variability, subjective cognitive dysfunction, participation limitations, and changes in functional activities. We developed a model of brain fog illustrating the overlapping categories of contributors to brain fog in chronic musculoskeletal pain: (1) neuroanatomical and neurophysiological, (2) mental health/emotional, and (3) environmental/lifestyle.
Conclusion: The results of this scoping review conclude that the inconsistency in research regarding brain fog in 20 chronic musculoskeletal pain is obstructing a clear understanding of the phenomenon and therefore may be impeding persons with chronic pain and brain fog from receiving optimal care.