Acute pain syndromes in injuries to the nerves and plexuses of the limbs

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/2519-4798.2024.299496

Keywords:

pain, pain syndrome, neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, injuries to nerves and plexuses of the limbs, neuropathies and plexopathies, treatment of neuropathic pain syndrome

Abstract

Injuries of peripheral nerves and plexuses cause serious disorders in the affected limbs. Unfortunately, the frequency of nerve injuries and limb plexuses is steadily increasing in our country, due to hostilities, which emphasizes the extreme relevance of this pathology.

The aim of the review is to consider the current data on pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and treatment of acute pain syndromes in patients with injuries of peripheral nerves and limb plexuses.

Materials and methods. Scientific databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Cochrane Library, as well as the materials of the International Association for the study of pain were used to search for sources of research information. The main studies were found in Pubmed, Google Scholar and materials of the International Association for the study of pain and made up 191 sources of information, 150 of which were excluded from the review due to insufficient data on pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and treatment of pain syndromes in patients with damage to the nerves and plexuses of the limbs, thus 41 sources of information formed the basis of the review.

Results: Brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injuries can be associated with any combination of nociceptive, neuropathic, phantom limb pain, and even complex regional pain syndromes. Acute neuropathic pain is an under-recognized condition, often difficult to treat and can progress to persistent pain and disability. Neuropathic pain develops because the main damage affects the somatosensory system. It is caused by peripheral nerve damage and associated changes in the central nervous system. The first line of pharmacological treatment for neuropathic pain according to current guidelines is anticonvulsant drugs that affect neuronal calcium channels, as well as tri- and tetracyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.

Conclusions: At the current stage, progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms of development of the pathological condition and in the development of therapeutic approaches, however, the chronicity of pain syndrome in patients with damage to the nerves and plexuses of the limbs is still high, which requires further research to develop complex pathogenetic therapy and better understanding of the mechanisms pain in this category of patients

Author Biographies

Olga Dubenko, Kharkiv National Medical University

Doctor of Medical Science, Professor

Department of Neurology and Child Neurology

Olena Tovazhnyanska, Kharkiv National Medical University

Doctor of Medical Science, Professor, Head of Department

Department of Neurology

Kostiantyn Stepanchenko, Kharkiv National Medical University

Doctor of Medical Science, Professor

Department of Neurology and Child Neurology

Olena Zavalna, Kharkiv National Medical University

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Neurology and Child Neurology

Vartanush Florikian, Kharkiv National Medical University

PhD, Associate Professor

Department of Neurology and Child Neurology

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Acute pain syndromes in injuries to the nerves and plexuses of the limbs

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Published

2024-03-30

How to Cite

Dubenko, O., Tovazhnyanska, O., Stepanchenko, K., Zavalna, O., & Florikian, V. (2024). Acute pain syndromes in injuries to the nerves and plexuses of the limbs. ScienceRise: Medical Science, (1 (58), 27–32. https://doi.org/10.15587/2519-4798.2024.299496

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No. 1 (58) (2024)

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Medical Science

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Copyright (c) 2024 Olga Dubenko, Olena Tovazhnyanska, Kostiantyn Stepanchenko, Olena Zavalna, Vartanush Florikian

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