Spinal cord injury pain--mechanisms and treatment

Eur J Neurol. 2004 Feb;11(2):73-82. doi: 10.1046/j.1351-5101.2003.00725.x.

Abstract

In spinal cord injury (SCI), pain is a major cause of disability. A review of experimental and human studies, which provide insight into the mechanisms and treatment of SCI neuropathic pain are presented. Each of a series of pathophysiologic changes after SCI may be relevant for the development of SCI neuropathic pain. These changes are discussed in relation to neuropathic pain at and below the level of SCI. SCI neuropathic pain is difficult to treat. Experimental and human randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trials on pharmacologic treatment of SCI pain are summarized.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Pain / complications
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Pain / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / complications
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / drug therapy*
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / physiopathology