Citation

Young JA. Phys. Med. Rehabil. Clin. N. Am. 2007; 18(1): 145-63, vii-viii.

Affiliation

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rush University, 1725 W. Harrison, Suite 1018, Chicago, IL 60612, USA. james_young@rush.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.pmr.2006.11.008

PMID

17292817

Abstract

For the patient who has sustained traumatic brain injury (TBI), understanding the problem and listening to and believing the patient are prerequisites to treating pain. Because the information provided may be limited, communication skills problematic, and consistency variable, the challenge of treating individuals with TBI and pain can be daunting. Most painful conditions after TBI involve the musculoskeletal system; however, in conditions that are neurologically based, a careful and well-organized neurologic examination can be helpful to direct one's attention toward ordering the appropriate tests and treatments. The primary focus for helping patients with pain involves not only understanding the problem and assisting with symptom relief but also providing the opportunity to improve their functioning, physically and cognitively.

Language: en