title: Neuropathic pain in brachial plexus injury.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Thailand, brachial plexus injury is a common traumatic injury that affects the function of the upper extremity. The current treatments focus mainly on improving the motor and sensory function. Apart from the motor and sensory deficit, these patients usually suffer from pain.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors that relate to neuropathic pain in patients with brachial plexus injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected data from March 2008 to July 2011. The DN4 Questionnaire was used to diagnose neuropathic pain in 95 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of neuropathic pain was as high as 76%. Majority of patients presented with hypoesthesia to pin prick, hypoesthesia to touch and numbness. Severity of neuropathic pain was significantly correlated with the type of brachial plexus injury. There was no difference between demographic characteristics of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study showed that the prevalence of neuropathic pain was high in brachial plexus injured patients. Therefore, surgeons should be aware of this common, yet underestimated, problem in brachial plexus injured patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand.
authors.forename: Direk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tantigate
authors.forename: Saichol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wongtrakul
authors.forename: Torpon
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vathana
authors.forename: Roongsak
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Limthongthang
authors.forename: Panupan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Songcharoen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries*
keywords: Brachial Plexus Injury; Neuropathic Pain; Pain; Root Avulsion