Living in the best of both worlds: balancing pain management and quality of life. In this BackTable MSK Brief, Dr. Mark Amsbaugh and Dr. Ran Lador discuss multidisciplinary approaches to treating spinal tumors with a particular focus on pain management. They explore the complexities of defining and treating pain related to spinal tumors, differentiating between mechanical instability, tumor burden, and neuropathic pain. 

The conversation delves into the roles of various treatments including opioids, radiation, nerve blocks, cryoablation, and surgical interventions. They highlight the evolving landscape of spine oncology, emphasizing the need for holistic approaches and the promising future of integrating advanced technologies for better patient outcomes.

Episode Outline

00:00 - Introduction 

00:53 - Approach to Pain Management in Spine Oncology

02:54 - Multimodal Analgesia

04:25 - What is a Safe Radiation Dose that Spares Spinal Nerves?

07:59 - The Balance Between Quality of Life and Pain Management 

09:58 - Final Remarks

Resources

Dr. Mark Amsbaugh, MD

https://med.uth.edu/neurosciences/dr-mark-j-amsbaugh-md/ 

Dr. Ran Lador, MD

https://med.uth.edu/ortho/2022/11/02/ran-lador-md/ 

Dr. Alexa Levey, MD

https://medicine.yale.edu/profile/alexa-levey/