Pain Flashcards
pain
discomfort caused by stimulation of pain receptors (defence mechanism –> indicates something is wrong)
causes of pain
Inflammation
Infection
Ischemia
Stretching of tissue, tendon, ligament, joint capsule
Chemicals
Burns
Muscle spasm
dermatomes
each afferent spinal nerve conducts impulses from specific area of skin
clues about where pain is coming from (referred pain)
gate control theory
control systems (gates) built into normal pain pathways –> can modify pain stimuli conduction and transmission in SC and brain
GTC: gates open
pain impulses transmitted from periphery –> brain
GTC: gates closed
reduces or modifies passage of pain impulse
can close at different spots at level of SC –> reducing perception of pain stimuli
modulating pain response getting to higher brain centres
pain control
ICE: cold dominates over perception of pain
TENS: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (increases sensory stimulus. –> blocks pain transmission)
Opiate-like chemicals: resemble morphine (secreted by IN of the CNS); act to block conduction of pain impulses to CNS
assessment of pain
Provocation Quality Referred or radiating Severity Timing
using pain to determine the source: mechanical insult (noxious pain)
signs: pathology seen in imaging
symptoms: localized pain, severe
using pain to determine the source:
inflammatory
signs: pathology seen in imaging or lab work
symptoms: swelling, redness, warmth, pain, decreased ROM
using pain to determine the source:
neuropathic
signs: decreased pinprick response
symptoms: burning, tingling, shooting pains (severe)
using pain to determine the source:
ischemic
signs: specific to organ affected
symptoms: burning, aching, shooting, sympathetic response, referred pain (visceral receptors activated)
