Chapter 16 Acute pain in the neurological patient
Sam Chong and
J. Ganesalingham
- • Acute pain is a common presenting symptom in patients with neurological conditions.
- • Acute onset headache may indicate a life-threatening underlying condition.
- • Lumbosacral and cervical spine pain are commonly caused by degenerative disease but there are sometimes clues to indicate alternative pathologies.
- • Acute pain arising from the peripheral nervous system and muscles are usually inflammatory in origin.
- • A careful history and examination is crucial to assess patients with neurological pain.
- • Opioids may be used in combination of an anti-epileptic or antidepressant drug in the treatment of acute neuropathic pain.
