Nerve Pain (Neuropathic Pain) Treatment

Nerve Pain (Neuropathic Pain) Treatment in Hyderabad

Neuropathic pain, or nerve pain, arises due to damage, dysfunction, or injury to the nerves. It is often described as burning, stabbing, cold, or electric shocks and may be accompanied by tingling, numbness, or itching. This type of pain can result from a variety of causes, including trauma, surgery, diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy, or even as a primary symptom in conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and post-herpetic neuralgia.

In Hyderabad, many specialists are well-equipped to treat neuropathic pain, offering various medical and interventional treatments to manage and alleviate the pain.

Causes of Neuropathic Pain

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Post-Herpetic Neuralgia
• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Phantom Limb Pain (pain following limb amputation)
• Fibromyalgia
• Trigeminal Neuralgia

Treatment Options for Neuropathic Pain

1. Medications:

   • Over-the-counter pain relievers: Aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen may offer mild relief.
   • Antidepressants: Certain antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, duloxetine) have been shown to effectively treat neuropathic pain by affecting neurotransmitter activity.
   • Anti-seizure medications: Medications like gabapentin and pregabalin help stabilize nerve activity, reducing the symptoms of nerve pain.
   • Topical creams: Creams containing capsaicin or lidocaine can help provide localized relief by desensitizing the affected nerve areas.

2. Nerve Blocks:
   Nerve blocks, such as trigeminal nerve block, involve injections of anesthetics or steroids into specific nerves or nerve clusters to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. These blocks are especially useful in trigeminal neuralgia and other localized neuropathic pain syndromes.

3. Chemical Neurolysis (Alcohol / Phenol Injections):
   These injections can offer prolonged relief by targeting pain-causing nerves. Alcohol or phenol injections are commonly used in severe cases, such as trigeminal neuralgia, providing significant pain reduction.

4. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA):
   Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat to disrupt nerve function and reduce pain. It is often used for chronic neuropathic conditions like trigeminal neuralgia, helping to reduce or numb the pain over time.