[Sensation disorders and pain in spinal cord lesions]

Abstract

In addition to the well known paraplegia or tetraplegia, lesions of the spinal cord frequently cause a series of disturbances of sensation in the segments around or distal to the lesion. Disturbances of sensation in spinal cord lesions are painful or non-painful. The painful and also the non-painful sensations may represent irritative and withdrawal phenomena. A series of central neurogenic pains seem to be best explained by spontaneous neuronal activity in sensory spinal cord neurones which have lost the peripheral, segmental and descending neuronal control from the nervous system. Surgical treatment of pain in cases of spinal cord lesions is rarely considered apart from root-avulsion where surgical lesion in the superficial part of the posterior horn is effective. No specific treatment is as yet available for pain and disturbances of sensation in cases of spinal cord injury. However, on the basis of our limited knowledge of the pathogenesis of these symptoms, future therapeutic strategy will be directed towards not only the peripheral but also the central points of attack. Treatment of painful conditions in patients with spinal cord injuries, as in other states of chronic pain, should also include social and psychological support.