Clinical trial of propranolol in post-traumatic neuralgia.

In view of several case reports of relief of various neuralgias by propranolo, a double-blind cross-over trial using this drug was conducted in 10 patients with severe persistent pain and paraesthesiae following upper limb peripheral nerve injuries. The patients received up to 240 mg of propranolol per day. Only one patient reported pain relief, but this patient withdrew from the trial. An open trial of propranolol was conducted in 6 other patients with a variety of peripheral nerve lesions. Of these, neuroma tenderness was transiently reduced in one patient and the hyperaesthesia of a painful scar was relieved in another. Routine use of propranolol in such patients cannot be recommended.