title: Pain Examination and Diagnosis.
abstract: Pain is a clinical challenge to health care providers who care for hand disorders. Pathologic pain that prevents recovery leads to dissatisfaction for both patients and providers. Despite pain being common, the root cause is often difficult to diagnose. This article reviews the examination and diagnostic tools that are helpful in identifying pathologic and neuropathic pain. This article provides tools to speed recognition of these processes to allow earlier intervention and better patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Palo Alto VA Health System, 770 Welch Road, Suite 400, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA. Electronic address: curtincatherine@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Curtin
mesh_terms: D058443:Catastrophization; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D058748:Pain Perception / Q000502:physiology; D010808:Physical Examination; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Complex regional pain syndrome; Diagnosis; Examination; Neuroma; Neuropathic pain; Pain