Pain in patients with paraplegia

• Published in: Schmerz (Berlin, Germany) Vol. 31; no. 5; pp. 527 - 545
• Main Authors: Landmann, G, Chang, E-C, Dumat, W, Lutz, A, Müller, R, Scheel-Sailer, A, Schwerzmann, K, Sigajew, N, Ljutow, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01.10.2017
• Subjects: Brain - physiopathology; Chronic Pain - diagnosis; Chronic Pain - physiopathology; Chronic Pain - therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Interdisciplinary Communication; Intersectoral Collaboration; Neuralgia - diagnosis; Neuralgia - physiopathology; Neuralgia - therapy; Nociceptors - physiology; Pain Measurement; Paraplegia - diagnosis; Paraplegia - physiopathology; Paraplegia - therapy; Peripheral Nerves - physiopathology; Psychology; Risk Factors; Spinal Cord - physiopathology; Spinal Nerve Roots - physiopathology; Paraplegia; Multimodal pain management; Neuralgia; Chronic pain; Nociceptive pain
• ISSN: 1432-2129
• DOI: 10.1007/s00482-017-0250-x

Chronic pain is one of the most reported health problems in patients suffering from spinal cord injuries and is described by the patients as one of the most burdensome sequelae of paraplegia. Various types of pain, such as nociceptive, neuropathic and other types of pain can occur. In addition, multiple pathophysiological mechanisms based on the biopsychosocial pain model play a role in the origins of the pain. These aspects necessitate a multimodal pain management approach in this patient group. This article presents an overview of the occurrence, importance and pathophysiology of chronic pain following spinal cord injury as well as diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.