Oral Local Anesthesia for Neuropathic Pain Relief
Author Information
Author(s): Hozumi Jun, Sumitani Masahiko, Yozu Arito, Tomioka Toshiya, Sekiyama Hiroshi, Miyauchi Satoru, Yamada Yoshitsugu
Primary Institution: The University of Tokyo Hospital
Hypothesis
Can oral local anesthesia alleviate neuropathic pain through neural plasticity in the central nervous system?
Conclusion
Oral local anesthesia can effectively reduce neuropathic pain in the upper limb by promoting neural plasticity in the brain.
Supporting Evidence
- The patient experienced severe neuropathic pain for 10 years.
- Local anesthesia around the left mandibular molar tooth led to immediate pain relief.
- The analgesic effect of local anesthesia was reproducible across multiple dental treatments.
Takeaway
A patient with severe arm pain found relief when local anesthesia was used during a dental procedure, showing that the brain can change to help reduce pain.
Methodology
The case report describes the effects of oral local anesthesia on a patient with neuropathic pain from a brachial plexus avulsion injury.
Limitations
The findings are based on a single case report, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
A 49-year-old male with a history of left brachial plexus avulsion injury.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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