causalgia

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causalgia

A patient experiences causalgia in their right hand.

Definition

Noun: A persistent, severe, burning pain that occurs along the distribution of a peripheral nerve, typically following a nerve injury. This condition is often associated with changes in the skin, such as abnormal sweating, temperature, and color in the affected area. Causalgia is a specific type of neuropathic pain.

Examples of Usage
  • The soldier was diagnosed with causalgia after shrapnel damaged the nerves in his arm.
  • The defining symptom of causalgia is an intense, burning sensation that is often disproportionate to the initial injury.
  • Treatment for causalgia can be complex, focusing on managing the neuropathic pain.
Advanced Usage
  • Medical Diagnosis: In clinical settings, "causalgia" is a specific diagnostic term. It is often classified under broader conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Type II, which is associated with a confirmed nerve injury.
    • The neurologist confirmed the patient's symptoms were consistent with causalgia, a form of CRPS Type II.
Variants and Related Words
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): The modern, broader diagnostic category that encompasses causalgia (Type II) and similar conditions without major nerve damage (Type I, formerly called reflex sympathetic dystrophy).
  • Neuropathic pain: A general term for pain caused by damage or disease affecting the somatosensory nervous system, of which causalgia is a specific type.
  • Hyperalgesia: Increased sensitivity to pain, a common feature in causalgia.
  • Allodynia: Pain due to a stimulus that does not normally provoke pain (e.g., light touch), also frequently present.
Synonyms
  • Neuropathic pain (specific type)
  • Burning pain
  • Neuralgia (general term for nerve pain)
Related Phrases / Idioms
  • No direct idioms exist for this specific medical term. It is used in literal, clinical contexts.
causalgia

A patient experiences causalgia in their right hand.

Noun
  1. a burning pain in a limb along the course of a peripheral nerve; usually associated with skin changes