types of pain and nerve injury

Question 1

Radicular Pain

Answer 1

(radiculitis) … pain along the dermatomal distribution of a nerve root due to inflammation or other irritation of the nerve root (radiculopathy). Example: sciatica from irritation of L5 nerve root.

Question 2

Radiating pain

Answer 2

pain that moves from the original area outwards to another part of the body. Example: arm and shoulder pain from facet irritation at C5.

Question 3

Referred pain

Answer 3

pain perceived at a site adjacent to or distant from the site of origin. Example: pain (angina pectoris, arm pain, neck pain) brought on from myocardial ischemia.

Question 4

Neuropraxia

Answer 4

A transient physiological block caused by ischemia from pressure or stretch of the nerve with no wallerian degeneration.

Question 5

Neuropraxia s/sx

Answer 5

Pain
• None/minimal muscle wasting • Muscle weakness
• Numbness
• Propripception affected • Recovery time: minutes to days

Question 6

Axonotmesis

Answer 6

Internal architecture of nerve preserved, but axons are so badly damaged that wallerian degeneration occurs.

Question 7

Axonotmesis

S/sx

Answer 7

Pain
• Muscle wasting evident • Complete motor, sensory and
sympathetic functions lost
• Sensation is restored before
motor function
• Recovery time: months (axons regenerate at a rate of 1 inch/month or 1 mm/day)

Question 8

Neurotmesis

Answer 8

Structure of nerve is destroyed by cutting, severe scarring or prolonged severe compression.

Question 9

Neurotmesis s/sx

Answer 9

• No pain (anesthesia)
• Muscle wasting
• Complete motor, sensory and
sympathetic functions lost • Recovery time: months and only with surgery

Question 10

Moto s/sx of LMNL

Answer 10

• Flaccid paralysis • Loss of reflexes • Muscle wasting and atrophy • Lost synergic action of muscles • Fibrosis, contracture, adhesions • Joint weakness and instability • Decreased range of motion and stiffness • Disuse osteoporosis of bone • Growth affected

Question 11

Sensory s/sx of LMNL

Answer 11

• Loss or abnormal sensation • Loss of vasomotor tone:
§ warm, flushed (early)
§ cold, white (later) • Skin may be:
§ scaly (early)
§ thin, smooth, shiny (later) • Shallower skin creases • Nail changes:
§ striation, ridges, dry,brittle,
§ abnormal curving, lost luster • Ulceration

Question 12

Sympathetic s/sx of LMNL

Answer 12

• Loss of sweat glands
(dryness)
• Loss of pilomotor
response