Background In recent years the field of acute pain medicine has witnessed a surge in its development, and pain has begun to be recognized not merely as a symptom, but as an actual disease process. This development warrants increased education of residents, both in the performance of regional anesthesia, as well as in the disease course of acute pain and the biopsychosocial mechanisms that define inter-individual variability. Review Summary We reviewed the organization and function of the modern acute pain medicine program. Following a discussion of the nomenclature of acute pain related practices, we discuss the historical evolution and modern role of acute pain medicine teams, including the use of traditional, as well as complementary and alternative, therapies for treating acute pain. Staffing and equipment requirements are also evaluated, in addition to the training requirements for achieving expertise in acute pain medicine. Lastly, we briefly explore future considerations related to the essential role and development of acute pain medicine. Conclusion The scope and practice of acute pain medicine must be expanded to include pre-pain/pre-intervention risk stratification and extended through the phase of subacute pain.

Acute peripheral neuropathic pain after combat-related polytrauma is a common occurrence in the United States military that is often refractory to current drugs and regional anesthesia. Both spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation are successfully used for chronic neuropathic pain states, but are not reported for acute neuropathic pain. We present 2 cases of percutaneous ultrasound-guided sciatic peripheral nerve stimulation placement in soldiers who had conditions precluding them from spinal cord stimulation placement. Opioid reduction and marked increase in functionality were possible in one case, and cessation of opioid escalation, with eventual reduction after permanent implantation, was possible in the other.

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