Prevalence of neuropathic pain after traumatic superficial radial nerve injury: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

The susceptibility of the superficial radial nerve (SRN) to form painful neuromas has been documented in previous literature. However, no epidemiological studies using validated questionnaires have been conducted to evaluate the prevalence of neuropathic pain and neuroma formation after injury to the SRN. This study aims to assess the prevalence of neuropathic pain after traumatic SRN injury.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included patients diagnosed with SRN injuries between 2016 and 2021. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) to assess neuropathic pain, Patient Rated Hand and Wrist evaluation (PRWHE), and EQ5D for quality of life were filled out via telephone interviews. Regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors associated with neuropathic pain.

RESULTS

A total of 52 patients completed the questionnaires. Twenty-five percent (95%CI 14%-40%) reported significant pain; in 21% (95%CI 11%-35%), the pain was classified as neuropathic. Neuropathic pain was significantly associated with quality of life and hand function. However, according to the regression analysis, gender, age at surgery, type of trauma, time between injury and surgery, and type of surgery (repair, no repair, repair with graft) were not associated with neuropathic pain development.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that a significant proportion (21%) of patients suffer from neuropathic pain following traumatic SRN injury despite surgical management, impacting hand function and quality of life. Identification of predictive and prognostic characteristics for neuropathic pain development remains challenging. Future prospective studies should focus on surgical management to prevent neuropathic pain development after a traumatic injury to the nerve.