Table 1 Symptom comparisons between neuropathic pain states and persistent mild traumatic brain injury related headaches (MTBI-HA)
From: Addressing chronic persistent headaches after MTBI as a neuropathic pain state
| Clinical Hallmark Symptoms and Co-morbid Conditions in Neuropathic Pain State | Highly Prevalent Clinical Hallmark Symptoms and Co-morbid Conditions in Patients with Persistent MTBI-HA |
|---|---|
| • Persistent pain after tissue healing | • Persistent head pain long after the injury |
| • Allodynia (pain with non-painful stimuli) | • Scalp pain with non-painful stimuli (allodynia) |
| • Frequent Debilitating Pain Exacerbation (pain without painful provocation) | • Frequent Debilitating Headache Exacerbation (pain without painful provocation) |
| • Hyperalgesia (enhanced pain perception) | • Enhanced mechanical pain perception (hyperalgesia) |
| • Hyperpathia (enhanced emotion response to pain) | • Easily agitated (sympathetic involvement) |
| • Altered motor or sensory functions | • Tinnitus, photo/phono-sensitivity (altered sensory function) |
| • Balance problem (altered motor function) | |
| • Enhanced Sympathetic Activity/Mediated Pain | • PTSD (sympathetic involvement) |
| • Anxiety | |
| • Mood Dysfunction: Depression | • Depression is a highly co-morbid condition (mood) |