Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain (neuralgia) is pain that arises from a dysfunction along the length of a nerve. The nerve dysfunction and thus the pain signals can arise from the nerve endings themselves or anywhere along the nerve as it passes through to the spinal cord and the brain.

Neuropathic pain is a common problem. Common examples of neuropathic pain include Trigemminal Neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy and post herpetic neuralgia.

Neuropathic pain is typically difficult for patients to describe. Common descriptive terms used are "burning", "tingling" or "electric shock like". Often neuropathic pain is associated with marked increased skin sensitivity such that seemingly normal sensations such as light touch with clothing results in significant searing pain sensations.

Recent advances in pain management have focused on developing drugs that are more effective at managing neuropathic pain.

Dr Cole is a co -author on a major network metaanalysis of antidepressant drugs for pain and is happy to talk to you whether these would be right for you. Please click on the link to find out more.

https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD014682.pub2/full

At Oxford Pain Consultants we have a wealth of knowledge in managing patients with neuropathic pain syndromes and the consultants will advise and guide patients through appropriate pain management strategies.