title: [Neuropathic pain].
abstract: Neuropathic pain poses a challenge, since there is no consensus on what constitutes optimal management, and current strategies for diagnosing and treating this heterogeneous condition are largely empirical. In the daily routine a neurological examination that includes a sensory examination with some simple bedside-tests often suffices to establish a tentative diagnosis. The author proposes a basic algorithm that may help clinicians to optimize available therapeutic options and improve pain relief and quality of life in patients with this type of pain. Such first-line drugs as antidepressants, anticonvulsants and sustained-release opioids form the basis for a treatment strategy that is appropriate for the individual patient.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Anaesthesiologie, Leitender Arzt Schmerztherapie, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf. Freynhagen@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
authors.forename: Von R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Freynhagen
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Junker
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents