Pain Core Curriculum Module 4: Optimizing Acute Pain Care: Implementing Multimodal Treatments Across Clinical Settings-Presentation

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Mark Bickett's presentation focuses on optimizing acute pain care through multimodal treatment strategies across various clinical settings. Acute pain, typically sudden and short-term, differs from chronic pain, often stemming from tissue injury and requiring effective management to prevent progression. Multimodal analgesia combines non-opioid medications (like NSAIDs and acetaminophen) with non-pharmacologic techniques (nerve blocks, epidurals, physical therapy) to target multiple pain pathways, enhancing pain relief while minimizing opioid use and side effects.<br /><br />Key medication classes include NSAIDs, local anesthetics, and adjunct therapies like ketamine. Techniques like neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks, wound infiltration, and intravenous infusions provide targeted relief. Professional societies broadly support multimodal approaches, emphasizing individualized care and interdisciplinary collaboration among anesthesiologists, nurses, pharmacists, and surgeons.<br /><br />Two case studies illustrate practical applications: subacute low back pain benefits most from remaining active and physical therapy rather than pharmacologic or invasive interventions; post-surgical pain after gynecologic surgery is effectively managed with thoracic epidural analgesia combined with scheduled acetaminophen and NSAIDs.<br /><br />Overall, multimodal pain management aims to improve patient outcomes, reduce opioid dependence, and prevent chronic pain development by addressing pain through complementary mechanisms and personalized care protocols.

Keywords

acute pain management

multimodal analgesia

non-opioid medications

nerve blocks

NSAIDs

physical therapy

opioid sparing

interdisciplinary collaboration