While the mechanisms of chronic neuropathic pain may be a bit of a mystery, it is generally thought that such pain is caused by nerve damage or nerve dysfunction. Neuropathic pain may be brought on by trauma, disease or irritation.
Common Types of Neuropathic Pain
There are countless types of neuropathic pain; however, some of the common types include:
- Postherpetic neuralgia. Postherpetic neuralgia is neuropathic pain that is brought on by an outbreak of shingles, and persists after the condition has cleared.
- Trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by shooting neck and facial pain.The pain is often worse with light touch, and may make activities like shaving very painful.
- Phantom limb pain. Phantom limb pain can occur in some people after a limb is amputated. This pain feels as if it is coming from part of the limb that is no longer there.
- Diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy causes burning or stabbing pain in the hands and feet of some people who suffer from diabetes.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by nerve compression in the wrists, and causes pain in the wrist, thumb and fingers.
- Sciatica. Sciatica is caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, and often results in shooting pain that radiates down the back of leg.
- Pudendal neuralgia. Pudendal neuralgia is a type of pelvic pain caused by compression of the pudendal nerve. It causes burning pain in the pelvis and groin.
- Central pain syndrome. Central pain syndrome can occur after nervous system damage, such as a stroke. It can also be caused by neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis. The type of pain depends on the extent of nervous system damage.
Other Types of Neuropathic Pain
Chronic neuropathic pain can also be caused by other chronic pain disorders. For instance, someone with degenerative disk disease, a form of arthritis, may experience neuropathic back pain if the condition causes damage to the nerves entering or exiting the spine. Some other conditions that may cause chronic neuropathic pain include spinal cord injury, post-surgical pain and cancer.
Sources:
The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Neuropathic Pain. Accessed 12/28/09. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch209/ch209c.html
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Pain: Hope Through Research. Accessed 1/11/10. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/chronic_pain/detail_chronic_pain.htm
National Pain Foundation. Neuropathic Pain Causes. Accessed 12/28/09. http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/articles/352/causes
