Neuropathic pain: clinical features, assessment and treatment.
This article, the sixth in a series on pain, aims to provide nurses with information about neuropathic pain, its causes, clinical presentation and treatment approaches, to assist in the management of patients with this condition. Neuropathic pain is a significant clinical problem. As a chronic condition it can cause distress and disability. It is important that symptoms are recognised promptly and appropriate treatments offered in a timely fashion to help reduce the burden of neuropathic pain and improve patients' quality of life. Nurses can play an important role in this process as they are often involved in pain assessment and can help to identify patients who may require neuropathic pain interventions.
South London Healthcare Trust, Queen Mary's Hospital, Kent.
Claire
C
Fear
D006801:Humans; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011788:Quality of Life