Editor's Note: To celebrate the American Society of Anesthesiologist's Physician Anesthesiologist Week, January 26 – February 1, we will examine the recent leadership of our physicians to shape patient care, education and research in our institution.
The pain division saw an expansion of clinical research trials in academic year 2018-2019, and laid the groundwork for division growth in following academic years.
One research study that began in April examines the use of a long-acting steroid in patients with chronic leg pain. Michael Lankhorst, M.D., is the primary investigator on this Corticosteroid Lumbar Epidural Analgesia for Radiculopathy (CLEAR) Phase 3 clinical trial. Nebraska Medicine is one of many participating organizations around the world.
"I think this is an exciting clinical trial to be a part of, as it offers a new potential treatment option for lumbar radiculopathy,” Dr. Lankhorst said. “It may also help shed light on the effectiveness of epidural steroid injections overall in patients with ongoing leg pain due to disc disease."
Two other studies with the global medical device company, Nevro, were initiated in 2019. Thomas Brooks, M.D., is the primary investigator in a study that examines if exchanging old simulator systems for a new one will provide relief for patients who have post-laminectomy pain syndrome, also known as failed back syndrome. Investigators hope the new device can help patients avoid opioid use, and improve pain control and quality of life.
An additional study on the same patient population will examine the differences between patients who received the new simulator, but either did or did not complete a week-long comprehensive pain program in which patients receive physical therapy, psychological and social support, motivational therapy, and stress management and coping skills. Tapering of their opioid medications will also occur. Investigators aim to determine the efficacy of multi-modal approaches to pain management. Anesthesiology resident Clayton Damme, M.D., is the primary investigator.
The pain medicine fellowship will expand from two fellows to three in 2021 in response to the demand for pain physicians and the volumes and types of patients at Nebraska Medicine. Though the fellowship is only four years old, it’s already earned a national reputation.
“What we do and how we do it attracts many applicants from around the country,” said Pain Medicine Division Chief Madhuri Are, M.D. “We have never been just a prescriptive opioid writing clinic. We work closely with the pain program, involve other disciplines and make it truly multi-modal. Truly, our previous fellows are our best cheerleaders.”
Additionally, the division established the Regional Anesthesia and Acute Pain Medicine (RAAPM) fellowship program, which is led by Nicholas Heiser, M.D. The addition of this fellowship, along with the newly established obstetric anesthesiology fellowship, means the department now offers fellowships in all ACGME-accredited specialties. Growth continues in the division with the welcoming of a new physician assistant, Holly Doerneman.