Neuropathic Pain
Overview
Risk Factors
Health problems that may raise the risk are:
- Diabetes
- Poor glucose tolerance
- Shingles
- HIV infection
- Amputation
- Alcohol use disorder
- Lack of vitamins
- Spinal cord problem or injury
- Cancer
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Health problems that are present at birth
Other things that may raise the risk are:
- Back surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Being around toxins or metals
- Taking certain medicines
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and health history. The doctor will ask what your pain is like and when it happens. A physical exam will be done. You may be sent to a doctor who treats the nervous system. You may also need to see a doctor who treats pain.
Tests that may be done are:
- Blood tests to look for problems that may be causing the pain, such as a lack of certain vitamins and minerals
- Nerve conduction tests to find out how well nerves are passing electrical signals
- Electromyography (EMG) to measure the electrical activity in the nerves
- A biopsy to look for problems that may be causing pain
Treatments
Treatment
Any underlying problems with need to be treated, such as diabetes.
The goal of treatment is to manage symptoms. Options are:
Medications
One or more of these medicines may be given to manage pain:
- Over the counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen
- Prescription pain relievers
- Antiseizure medicine
- Antidepressants
- Topical creams put on the skin or patches, such as capsaicin cream
Some states allow residents to use medical marijuana for health problems. It may be helpful for people with neuropathic pain related to HIV.
Procedures
Nerve decompression surgery may be advised to ease pain. Other procedures that may be done are:
- A nerve block—An anesthetic is injected into the painful site to block pain.
- Pain pump—A pain pump is placed in the body to deliver pain medicine.
- Nerve stimulators—A device is attached to the nerve and delivers electrical signals to control pain.
- Surgery may be done to block the hurt nerves from sending signals.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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a (Pain, Neuropathic; Nerve Pain; Pain, Nerve)
RESOURCES
American Chronic Pain Association https://theacpa.org
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke http://www.ninds.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Diabetes Association http://www.diabetes.ca
Chronic Pain Association of Canada http://chronicpaincanada.com
References
Barrell K, Smith AG. Peripheral Neuropathy. Med Clin North Am. 2019 Mar;103(2):383-397.
Causes. The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy website. Available at: https://www.foundationforpn.org/what-is-peripheral-neuropathy/causes. Accessed October 2, 2020.
Peripheral neuropathy. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/peripheral-neuropathy . Accessed October 2, 2020.
7/20/2015 EBSCO DynaMed Systematic Literature Surveillance https://www.dynamed.com/condition/peripheral-neuropathy : Whiting PF, Wolff RF, Deshpande S, et al. Cannabinoids for medical use: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2015;313(24):2456-2473.