Neuropathic Pain After Surgery

Today's post from sciencedaily.com (see link below) looks at the strange phenomenum of how neuropathic pain persists even after successful surgery to repair it. Note, this applies to neuropathy caused by injury (often called radiculopathy) and not other forms of neuropathy. Apparently, injury-caused neuropathy has the potential to alter neurons (nerve cells) in such a way that the damage becomes permanent, even after the injury itself has been resolved through surgery. Not good news for many people but it gives scientists further insight into how the nervous system works and how it can self-harm at a molecular level. This may lead to a better understanding of the  processes in neurons and in the future a way to intervene to prevent that happening.

Reasons for pain after 'successful' spinal surgery  American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) April 9, 2014

Summary:

A new study sheds light on the basis of neuropathic pain that persists after apparently successful surgery. The topic is a question that has long puzzled physicians. In a study that melds the interrelated domains of spinal surgery and pain medicine, researchers have discovered that in the transition from acute inflammatory pain to chronic neuropathic pain, neurons undergo molecular changes.

Understanding why pain persists despite structurally successful spinal surgery is a question that has long puzzled physicians. In a study that melds the interrelated domains of spinal surgery and pain medicine, researchers have discovered that in the transition from acute inflammatory pain to chronic neuropathic pain, neurons undergo molecular changes.

Team leader Mohammed Farid Shamji, MD, PhD, FAANS, presented the study's findings today during the 82nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). Titled "Peripheral Hypersensitivity to Subthreshold Stimuli Persists after Resolution of Acute Experimental Disc-Herniation Neuropathy and Is Mediated by Heightened TRPV1 Receptor Expression and Activity," the study promises to shed light on the basis of neuropathic pain that persists after apparently successful surgery.

Dr. Shamji noted, "It is extremely novel to learn that an autoimmune neuroinflammatory radiculopathy that we clinically manage in most patients as being self-limited has the potential to cause permanent structural changes to neurons and functional sensitivity in the pain experience."

Understanding the molecular changes that occur, said Dr. Shamji, could help researchers develop appropriate treatments. "If we can minimize the disability caused by this pain syndrome, we may be able to prevent it from occurring upon onset of the acute inflammatory pain, potentially even reversing it once established."

Story Source:

The above story is based on materials provided by American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS). Note: Materials may be edited for content and length.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140409204239.htm