Pain From Spinal Cord Injury
Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Is My Pain Normal?
Traumatic bodily injury that results in spinal cord injuries(SCI), means that for many people living with SCI, chronic pain is the accompanying symptom in addition to paralysis, weakness or loss of sensation. The management of that pain and treatment options available vary depending on the severity and location of the individual injury. If you think your pain could be better managed, it might be time to explore different options.
Neuropathic Spinal Cord Injury Pain
Each person’s pain experience is different. Along with musculoskeletal or visceral pain that can accompany the spinal injury or arise from SCI lifestyle changes, many patients also experience chronic neuropathic pain that reduces the quality of daily life. It’s essential to understand the potential underlying cause of a person’s pain to pursue the correct treatment path for each individual.
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic pain in spinal cord injuries is caused by the brain continuing to interpret signals from damaged nerves or nerves that it no longer can communicate with because of the injury. The brain misunderstands the messages and, in turn, interprets them as pain. It is common for a person living with a spinal cord injury to feel pain in an area of the body where otherwise, there is no sensation.
Typical neuropathic pain is described as
- Stabbing
- Burning
- Aching
- Stinging
What Are My Treatment Options?
Dr. Alain de Lotbinière will work closely with you to review your medical history, specific spinal injury, and past treatments. He will then provide guidance on the best next steps for addressing your pain and creating a management plan that works best for you.
Treatments Available
- Antiseizure Medication
- Antidepressants
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Deep Brain Stimulation
- DREZ Procedure
How Can I Get Help?
You can trust the expertise of Dr. Alain de Lotbinière. With more than thirty years of experience using advanced technologies and innovative procedures to treat complex neurological pain disorders, he has the answers and guidance you need. Schedule an appointment at either his New York or Connecticut office to understand more about your options for managing your spinal cord injury pain.