Persistent and Neuropathic Pain Syndromes Flashcards
what superficial receptors pick up the sensation of pain
nociceptors
on what afferents does fast, acute, well-localized pain travel to the spinal cord
A-delta
on what afferents does slow, chronic, dull, burning, aching, and poorly localized pain travel to the spinal cord
c-afferents
what are the two components of the anterolatearl spinothalamic tract that carry pain sensation to the thalamus
neospinothalamic
paleospinothalamic
what tract does fast pain travel
neospinothalamic tract
where does information from neospinothalamic tract go and what does it detect
- goes to primary sensory cortex
- detects location and intensity of pain sensation
what tract does slow pain travel
paleospinothalamic tract
where does information from paleospinothalamic tract go and what does it detect
- goes to the reticular formation, amygdala, and cingulate gyrus
- results in affective, motivational and autonomic responses to pain sensation
the ascending pain information on the ALS is transmitting what
a DANGER signal, NOT a pain signal itself
what is pain
a perception of danger signals
what 3 components make up the pain neuromatrix
cognition
body
emotion
describe the two ways in which pain can be modulated
- closing the gate: perception of pain may be modulated by neurotransmitters released by interneurons in the spine by activation of the pain gate – application of heat, cold, massage, or TENS provides stimulus for local modulation
- descending opioid pathways: central modulation of pain occurs when the descending opioid pathway is stimulated resulting in release of pain inhibiting neurotransmitters such as endorphins, enkephalins, beta-endorphins
associated with tissue damage, usually sudden and may be severe; produces a physiological response; should gradually disappear with removal of physical stimulus or as tissue heals
acute pain
persistent pain that adversely affects a pt’s well-being, function, or quality of life; associated with increased rates of depression, suicidal tendencies
chronic pain
how long does pain have to present for to be considered chronic pain
longer than 3-6 months –> which is past the expected tissue healing time
aberrant somatosensory processing in CNS/PNS; associated with peripheral neuropathies, SCI, post-stroke, MS, thalamic injury; presenting as shooting, burning pain, numbness, altered sensation
neuropathic pain
pain descriptors for muscle pain
cramping, dull, aching
pain descriptors for nerve root pain
sharp, shooting
pain descriptors for nerve pain
sharp, lightening-like, electric
pain descriptors for sympathetic nerve pain
burning, pressure, stinging, aching
pain descriptors for bone pain
deep, nagging, dull
pain descriptors for fracture
sharp, severe, intolerable
pain descriptors for vascular pain
throbbing, diffuse
receptors at site of injury become increasingly responsive or threshold for noxious stimulus decreases
peripheral sensitization
what is associated with peripheral sensitization
hyperalgesia
prolonged peripheral inflammation or inflammation in the CNS results in increased excitability in the dorsal horn and decreased inhibition via descending pathway
central sensitization