The neurophysiological basis of peripheral electrical nerve stimulation for the treatment of causalgia

Abstract

Causalgia is a syndrome where constant and burning pain can develop in the extremities following damage to a peripheral nerve. It is likely that the symptoms of this syndrome are produced by alterations in the normal function of the peripheral and central nervous systems. In the central nervous system, there is an increased release of neurotransmitters from the axons of damaged peripheral nerves terminating in the spinal cord. Also in the spinal cord, there is a long-lasting sensitization of dorsal hom neurons to sensory stimulation. Two mechanisms by which peripheral electrical nerve stimulation is believed to produce analgesia are through decreasing the release of pain-mediating neurotransmitters in the spinal cord and by reducing the sensitivity of dorsal hom neurons to sensory stimulation. Because peripheral electrical nerve stimulation directly opposes the central nervous system alterations that occur with causalgia, it seems an ideal treatment for this debilitating syndrome.

Keywords:

• ALLODYNIA
• CAUSALGIA
• HYPERALGESIA
• PAIN
• REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY
• TENS