Successful relief of localized neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord trauma as a result of Lidocaine patch 5%: a case report.

Abstract Background Chronic neuropathic pain is very frequent after a spinal cord trauma, recent data showing that at least 80% of the patients experience pain, one-third at a serious level. Neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury is caused by complex neural mechanisms and is often refractory to standard therapy. Objective and Methods The main objective of the present work, is to report and discuss data from a case report of successful neuropathic localized pain relief, and reduction of pain- related anxiety, after 16 years of localized severe neuropathic pain, following a spinal cord trauma. Results The Lidocaine patch 5% (L5%P), was an effective treatment for the severe neuropathic pain (NRS= 9-10), localized at the paretic right hand of the patient. Following only 1 week of treatment with L5%P, pain was reduced from NRS=9-10, to NRS=2 , and the follow up after 8 months of treatment was NRS=0-2. Neuropathic pain decreased of 89,47%. The HAM-A score for anxiety-related to pain was reduced from 54 to 11, after 8 months of treatment: anxiety decreased of 79,63%. The Lidocaine patch 5%, has the potential to provide significant pain relief for patients with localized neuropathic pain, and anxiety-related pain relief. Conclusion There are few reports on the use of the Lidocaine 5% patch (L5%P) for localized neuropathic pain. Our study and data provide an important extension to the use of the Lidocaine patch 5%, indicating that L5%P, can provide significant pain relief for patients with localized neuropathic pain, not only for post herpetic neuralgia, but also in localized neuropathic pain after a spinal cord trauma.