Journal of Orthopedics 2023 May-Aug; 15(2): 105-109
CASE REPORT
PALMITOYLETHANOLAMIDE M/UM REPRESENTS AN INNOVATIVE NUTRITIONAL APPROACH IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POST-OPERATIVE BONE PAIN: PRELIMINARY RESULTS
F. Riefoli, A. Carlet, M. D’Aprile, S. Manto, L. Scaramuzzi and G. Solarino
University of Study of Bari, Aldo Moro, Orthopedic Unit, Department of Translational and Neuroscience, Bari, Italy
Correspondence to:
Flavia Riefoli, MD
Orthopedic & Trauma Unit,
Department Of Basic Medical Sciences,
Neuroscience And Sense Organs,
School Of Medicine,
University Of Bari “Aldo Moro”,
Aou Consorziale “Policlinico”,
Piazza Giulio Cesare 11,
70100 Bari, Italy
e-mail: flaviaok91@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Distal radius fractures are among the most common skeletal injuries of the wrist. Although the surgical treatment with a volar plate allows rapid and complete functional recovery, most patients experience significant pain when performing movements in the post-operative period. Two clinical cases of patients undergoing reduction and osteosynthesis surgery with volar-locking plate after wrist fracture and treated with micronized (PEAm) and ultramicronized PEA (PEAum) (300 mg + 600 mg) twice daily for 30 days are here reported. Pain and functional recovery were assessed 1, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days after surgery and, subsequently, 30 days after the end of treatment by the NRS scale and DASH questionnaire, respectively. Pain and functional recovery significantly improved in both patients during the treatment. Further improvement was detected at the follow-up 30 days after therapy. No patient reported adverse effects related to PEAm/um treatment. The use of PEAm/um may represent an appropriate approach to promote the recovery of patients with post-operative pain, thanks to its ability to alleviate painful symptoms and improve functional recovery.
KEYWORDS: micronized and ultramicronized PEA, wrist fracture, surgery, pain, functional recovery