The perception threshold counterpart to dynamic and static mechanical allodynia assessed using von Frey filaments in peripheral neuropathic pain patients.

Background and aim Pain due to a usually non-painful mechanical stimulus, mechanical allodynia, is an oppressive symptom in subgroups of patients with neuropathic pain. Dynamic mechanical allodynia (DMA) is evoked by a normally innocuous light moving mechanical stimulus on the skin and static mechanical allodynia (SMA) by a sustained, normally innocuous pressure against the skin. DMA is claimed to be mediated by myelinated fibres and SMA by C-fibres.

Mechanisms of dynamic mechanical allodynia and dysesthesia in patients with peripheral and central neuropathic pain.

Eighteen patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (PNeP) and seven patients with central post-stroke pain (CPSP) all suffering from dynamic mechanical allodynia (DMA) in a limb were studied. From recent research it is reasonable to suggest that A-beta fibres constitute the peripheral substrate for DMA in patients with PNeP. The pathophysiological basis for DMA in patients with CPSP is unknown.