Neuropathies
Neuropathies are more common than is widely appreciated, and may follow trauma, nerve traction, compression or entrapment, repetitive injuries,surgery, electric or thermal injury, toxic exposures, infections or systemic disorders such as diabetes or thyroid disease. Nerve insult may involve major nerves and branches, entire plexuses or even small fibers.Neuropathic pain syndromes are often characterised by severe pain and disturbing sensations that may include burning, squeezing, aching, throbbing, pressure or electric radiating sensations that may get worse over time and with certain activities or environmental conditions. Symptoms are usually constant, with waxing and waning pain intensities which are generally rated as severe to debilitating. Reactive depression is common. Patients are often very difficult to treat and symptoms are frequently refractory to management. Utilizing a variety of interventional and other modalities, we have had generally reasonably good results, with patients noting decreased pain improved quality of life and better activities of daily living.
