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Neuropathic pain is caused by damage or dysfunction in one or more nerves, causing pain signals to be sent to the brain.
Around 7 in 100 people in the UK suffer from chronic neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is less responsive to traditional painkillers than other types of pain.
Neuropathic pain is typically described as shooting, burning, tingling or like an electric shock. The pain may be constant or intermittent.
There may be additional symptoms:
A number of conditions may cause neuropathic pain:
Nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG) are frequently used to identify which nerves are affected. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can be used to further investigate the cause of nerve compression.
Neuropathic Pain Treatment
A holistic approach is often needed to treat neuropathic pain. Physiotherapy, modifications to work and home environment, and psychological therapies are important aspects of patient care.
Medical therapy is dependent on the underlying cause of pain, as addressing the underlying cause is an important component of treatment.
Regular painkillers are ineffective in neuropathic pain. Recommended first line neuropathic pain treatment is with antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline and duloxetine) or antiepileptics (e.g. gabapentin and pregabalin).
Other treatments include topical therapies (e.g. capsaicin or lidocaine) and nerve blocks. Medicinal cannabis can be considered when first line therapies have not achieved adequate symptom control.
