Neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury: topical analgesics as a possible treatment.

Spinal Cord Ser Cases

Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Published: August 2020

Study Design: Review of the literature and semi-structured interviews.

Objective: To explore the possible use of topical analgesics for the treatment of neuropathic pain (NP) in spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: Institute for Neuropathic Pain, Soest, The Netherlands.

Methods: A review was performed of studies on topical analgesics for SCI-related NP published up to May 2019. In addition, eight persons with SCI-related NP who were treated with topical analgesics were interviewed in a semi-structured interview on their experience with topical analgesics.

Results: Seven studies (five case reports and two case series) were found that evaluated the use of topical analgesics for SCI-related NP. None of the studies used a control treatment. Topical analgesics included baclofen, ketamine, lidocaine, capsaicin, and isosorbide dinitrate. All studies reported a decrease in NP over time. Persons interviewed were 49-72 years of age and all but one had an incomplete SCI. They used topical agents containing phenytoin, amitriptyline, baclofen, ketamine or loperamide. All showed a decrease in pain of at least 3 points on the 11-point numeric rating scale during this treatment.

Discussion/conclusions: Evidence on the use of topical analgesics in SCI is scarce. Case reports, case series and interviews suggest that the use of topical analgesics can be beneficial in treating SCI-related NP. Placebo-controlled studies are required to investigate the effect of topical analgesics on SCI-related NP.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7426910PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41394-020-00321-1DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

topical analgesics
36
neuropathic pain
12
analgesics sci-related
12
topical
11
analgesics
9
pain spinal
8
spinal cord
8
cord injury
8
analgesics treatment
8
case reports
8

Similar Publications

Chronic intraoral neuropathic pain (NP), often developing post-dental procedures, poses significant management challenges. The prevalent use of systemic treatments, with their frequent substantial side effects, emphasizes the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Our aim is to explore the efficacy and adherence with a topical drug regimen delivered through a neurosensory stent (NS) for treating chronic neuropathic pain (NP) within the oral cavity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: We aimed to update the 2018 systematic literature review on the efficacy and safety of treatments for hand osteoarthritis (OA), which was based on 126 studies.

Methods: We performed a systematic literature search on randomised controlled trials from June 2017 up to 31 December 2023. Risk of bias was assessed using the RoB2 tool.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The potential risks of prenatal cannabis use may vary depending on how cannabis is administered, but little is known about modes of prenatal cannabis use. This study characterized prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of modes of prenatal cannabis use in California.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients with pregnancies between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022 in a large healthcare system (3507 pregnancies [3454 individuals]) who self-reported prenatal cannabis use and mode of use (smoke, vape, edibles, dabs, and topicals) during universal screening at entrance to prenatal care.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Postoperative sore throat is a common complication following general anesthesia. This study aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative topical magnesium sulfate spraying in the oropharyngeal region on postoperative sore throat following gynecological laparoscopic surgery.

Methods: The study included 58 patients scheduled for gynecologic laparoscopic surgery at Xuzhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Neuropathic pain is a complex and debilitating condition resulting from nerve damage, characterized by sensations such as burning, tingling, and shooting pain. It is often associated with conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), and diabetic polyneuropathy. Conventional pain therapies frequently provide limited relief and are accompanied by significant side effects, emphasizing the need to explore alternative treatment options.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!