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Neuropathic pain is a form of chronic pain whose exact cause has not yet been identified. The definition of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) is neuropathic pain is limited to pain from a primary injury or dysfunction of the peripheral and central nervous system. In general, this involves an injury or a malfunction of the nerves . Occurs somewhere in the nervous system disorder in the conduction of signals, spontaneous pain stimuli may arise. Light as a stimulus that normally is experienced sudden severe pain. Nodules may also occur in the nerve scar and there will be disruption rather than the sympathetic (involuntary) nervous system.
Neuropathic pain is common. Estimates range from 1 to 2% of the general population, and even 8% in persons over 55 years.

Complaints


Neuropathic pain varies in intensity but usually stays continuously present. Often takes the pain sensation during sleep off. Often including mood disorders, sleep disturbances and fatigue.
Sometimes you may see symptoms typical of nerve pain. - Burning and sometimes stabbing pain (a sensation of pins and needles, electric shocks, stabbing) - numbness around the painful area, such extremities that "sleep" or hypersensitive,

• pain from a normally non-painful stimulus such as rubbing of clothing on the skin, a cloth on the feet.
• exaggerated pain response to a relatively harmless stimulus (hyperalgesia),
• feeling that the 'cushions' runs
• pain in cold or heat (eg during a shower)
• Feeling that ants walk on and under the skin, unpleasant tickling.

DN4 questionnaire for the diagnosis of neuropathic pain
DN4 interview

Question 1: Does the pain one or more of the following characteristics?
1. Burning
2. Painful cold sensation
3. Electric shock

Question 2: Is the pain in the same area associated with one or more of the following symptoms?
4. Tickling
5. Tingling
6. Insensibility
7. Itching.

A score of 3 to 7 is very indicative of neuropathic pain.

DN4 clinical research

Question 3: Is the pain localized in one particular area where research indicates
8. hypoesthesia to touch
9. hypoesthesia with a prick

Question 4: the pain is caused or exacerbated by
10. rub

A score of 4 to 10 on both questionnaires together, enhances the sensitivity of the test.