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Current views on the use of nerve blocking in the relief of chronic pain

  • Chapter
The Therapy of Pain

Part of the book series: Current Status of Modern Therapy ((CSMT,volume 6))

Abstract

The universal accessibility of nerve blocking procedures, compared with the limited availability of specialized neurosurgical measures means that, in the present state of therapeutics, the former retain their wide acceptance and usefulness1. However, while they have a general usefulness, such blocks (and some neurosurgical procedures) are already being displaced in major pain relief centres by other forms of therapy. Temporary nerve blocks may be of value in confirming the differential diagnosis in some forms of chronic pain and occasionally produce more than temporary relief. Neurolytic agents can still provide a considerable degree of relief when properly employed, but when misused, complications may be serious or even fatal. The incidence of neuralgia and the recovery of sensation during the course of nerve regeneration make their use of more limited value in benign conditions.

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Authors
  1. A. S. Brown
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Regional Pain Relief Centre, Hope Hospital, University of Manchester School of Medicine, Eccles Old Road, Salford, M6 8HD, England

    Mark Swerdlow (Consultant) (Consultant)

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Brown, A.S. (1981). Current views on the use of nerve blocking in the relief of chronic pain. In: Swerdlow, M. (eds) The Therapy of Pain. Current Status of Modern Therapy, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9879-3_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-9879-3_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-9881-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-010-9879-3

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