Chronic posttraumatic pain
Chronic posttraumatic pain is common following trauma (eg burns, peripheral or central nerve injury, whiplash) with consequences including poor functional outcomes and increased psychological distress. See Incidence of chronic posttraumatic pain after specific injuries for the incidence of chronic posttraumatic pain after specific injuries.
|
Type of injury |
Reported incidence |
|---|---|
|
burns |
18 to 52% |
|
musculoskeletal injury |
11% |
|
nerve injury |
66 to 95% |
|
spinal cord injury |
53% |
|
whiplash after neck injury |
27% |
Risk factors that contribute to the transition from acute to chronic pain following injury include initial severe acute pain, preinjury unemployment, major psychological traumatisation (eg posttraumatic stress disorder) and severe injury; see Risk factors associated with the transition from acute to chronic pain for other risk factors that may also be associated. Identify and manage acute neuropathic pain early because it is a key contributor to chronic posttraumatic pain; see Acute neuropathic pain for management advice. Encourage patients to be active participants in their physical rehabilitation.