Pain is considered chronic when it persists beyond the expected time for tissue healing, which is typically around three to six months.
Chronic pain can result from various underlying conditions or injuries and can manifest in different forms. Here are references to different types of pain and when they are considered chronic.
Different Types of Chronic Pain
Musculoskeletal Pain: Musculoskeletal pain affects the muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic back pain are examples of musculoskeletal pain. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is typically diagnosed when pain persists for three months or longer.
Reference: Vos, T., Abajobir, A. A., Abate, K. H., et al. (2017). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 328 diseases and injuries for 195 countries, 1990-2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. The Lancet, 390(10100), 1211–1259.https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(17)32154-2/fulltext
Neuropathic Pain: Neuropathic pain results from damage or dysfunction of the nervous system and can be caused by conditions such as diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and peripheral neuropathy. Chronic neuropathic pain is often diagnosed when pain persists beyond three to six months.
Reference: Finnerup, N. B., Haroutounian, S., Kamerman, P., et al. (2016). Neuropathic pain: an updated grading system for research and clinical practice. Pain, 157(8), 1599–1606. https://discovery.dundee.ac.uk/en/publications/neuropathic-pain-an-updated-grading-system-for-research-and-clini
Headache Disorders: Chronic headache disorders, such as migraines, tension-type headaches, and cluster headaches, are characterised by recurrent episodes of head pain. Chronic headaches are diagnosed when they occur on 15 or more days per month for at least three months.
Reference: Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. (2018). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Cephalalgia, 38(1), 1–211. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0333102417738202
Visceral Pain: Visceral pain arises from internal organs and can be associated with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), endometriosis, and interstitial cystitis. Chronic visceral pain is typically diagnosed when pain persists for three months or longer.
Reference: Mertz, H., & Naliboff, B. (1999). Review article: visceral hypersensitivity. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 13(S2), 3–11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12641510/
Central Sensitisation Pain: Central sensitisation pain results from changes in the central nervous system that amplify pain signals, leading to conditions such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and fibromyalgia. Chronic central sensitisation pain is diagnosed when pain persists for three months or longer.
Reference: Woolf, C. J. (2011). Central sensitization: implications for the diagnosis and treatment of pain. Pain, 152(3 Suppl), S2–S15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3268359/
Specific Conditions with Chronic Pain
Insight into specific conditions and persistent pain is set out below:
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS): CRPS is a chronic pain condition characterised by severe and persistent pain, typically affecting one limb but sometimes spreading to other parts of the body. It often develops after an injury or trauma, such as a fracture or surgery, and is characterised by symptoms such as intense burning pain, swelling, changes in skin temperature and colour, and abnormal sweating. CRPS is diagnosed when these symptoms persist beyond the expected time for tissue healing, typically three to six months after the initial injury or trauma.
Reference: Harden, R. N., Oaklander, A. L., Burton, A. W., et al. (2013). Complex regional pain syndrome: practical diagnostic and treatment guidelines. Pain Medicine, 14(2), 180–229. https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/14/2/180/1824419#27974122
Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain disorder characterised by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive difficulties. It is believed to result from abnormalities in the way the brain and spinal cord process pain signals, leading to heightened sensitivity to pain. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed when widespread pain persists for at least three months, along with other characteristic symptoms such as tender points on the body.
Reference: Wolfe, F., Clauw, D. J., Fitzcharles, M. A., et al. (2010). The American College of Rheumatology preliminary diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia and measurement of symptom severity. Arthritis Care & Research, 62(5), 600–610. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20461783/
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): FND is a condition characterised by neurological symptoms, such as weakness, tremors, seizures, or sensory disturbances, that cannot be explained by a neurological disease or structural abnormality. These symptoms are believed to result from problems with the functioning of the nervous system rather than damage to the nerves themselves. FND is diagnosed when symptoms persist for an extended period, typically three months or longer, and cannot be attributed to another medical condition
Reference: Carson, A. J., Stone, J., Hibberd, C., et al. (2015). Disability, distress and unemployment in neurology outpatients with symptoms ‘unexplained by organic disease’. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 86(7), 798–803. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21257981/
Somatoform Disorders: Somatoform Disorders are a group of mental health conditions characterised by physical symptoms that cannot be explained by a medical condition or another mental disorder. These symptoms may cause significant distress or impairment in daily functioning. Somatoform Disorders are diagnosed when symptoms persist for an extended period, typically six months or longer, and cannot be attributed to a known medical condition.
FT Chronic Pain Solicitors are not medical professionals. We highly recommend anyone seeking medical advice to contact their GP or other local healthcare practice and follow their professional advice when looking to undertake management of chronic pain conditions.
We have many years of experience in compensation claims involving conditions such as CRPS, Fibromyalgia, and other chronic pain conditions.
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