A stroke is an injury to the brain due to the interruption
of the blood supply, which causes destruction of a
portion of brain tissue that can lead to weakness,
numbness, paralysis, speech difficulties, confusion
or other problems. One of the worst consequences that
occur after a stroke is severe burning pain on the
side of the body affected by the stroke. Post-stroke
pain, also referred to as thalamic pain, neurogenic
pain or central pain syndrome, occurs most frequently
following strokes on the right side of the brain,
affecting the left side of the body.
The precise cause of post-stroke pain is unknown,
although it may be due to a hyperactive autonomic
nervous system. Because the brain has been damaged,
it feels pain when it should be feeling a sensation
that is not painful. Common painkillers have no effect
on this type of pain. Twenty percent of patients with
this condition get better over a period of years.
In thirty percent of these individuals, the pain decreases
during the first year.
Treatment is challenging in the group of patients.
Narcotic painkillers may be tried but have mixed results.
Newer medications such as Neurontin and Lyrica may
be of value. Brain stimulation is a modern therapy
that may help alleviate pain in some patients. Motor
cortex stimulation (MCS) involves the placement of
electrodes on the surface of the brain and administering
an electrical stimulus to that region. Deep brain
stimulus (DBS) involves placement of electrodes in
deeper regions of the brain felt to be responsible
for the generation or perpetuation of pain. Both MCS
and DBS may significantly improve pain in some patients.
Neurological Surgery,
P.C. of Long Island, New York and New York
City (Queens) is one of the largest private
practices for neurological surgery in the
NYC and NY/NJ/CT Tri-State area, offering
patients the most advanced treatments of
brain and spine disorders, using minimally
invasive procedures like Gamma Knife, Cyber
Knife, Microdiscectomy, Spinal Stimulators, Kyphoplasty, X-Stop,
Carotid Stenting, Aneurysm Coiling and Interventional
Pain Management.
