What Are Treatments for Neuralgia?

Neuralgia is simply defined as nerve pain. Most patients experience neuralgia attacks, rather than constant pain. As neuralgia progresses, these attacks may occur more frequently, last longer and be significantly more painful. There are a variety of treatments methods available to help you manage your neuralgia.

Medications

• Medication is used to block or reduce pain signals to help alleviate the pain. The most commonly used medications are anticonvulsants such as Neurontin, Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine and Phenytoin.
  An antispasticity agent, such as Baclofen, also may be used, often in conjunction with the anticonvulsant. The antispasticity agents relax the muscles, reducing neuralgia pain and attacks.

Alcohol Injection

• An alcohol injection numbs the affected area and provides temporary relief from neuralgia pain. During this procedure, a doctor injects alcohol into the nerve branch that is causing pain. You will most likely need repeated injections to control your pain.

Glycerol Injection

• Glycerol injections damage the nerve to block pain signals. During this procedure, a doctor uses a small needle to inject sterile glycerol into the small sac surrounding a nerve branch and its root. Images will be taken with a fluoroscope throughout the procedure so that the doctor can see exactly where the needle is. After the sterile glycerol is injected, it will take approximately three to four hours to damage the nerve. This procedure is successful in relieving pain in most patients, but you may require the procedure again if the pain returns. You may experience tingling or numbness in the area in which the injection was administered.

Radiation

• High-dose, focused radiation is directed at the affected nerve root. This procedure greatly reduces or completely eliminates the pain by damaging the nerve. The reduction in pain can take several weeks. This painless procedure will eliminate most patients' pain permanently.

Surgical Procedures

• Some patients with severe or recurring neuralgia may require surgery. Microvascular decompression separates blood vessels from nerve roots and removes or relocates any blood vessels that are contacting nerve roots.
  In balloon compression, a balloon is inserted through a hollow needle to block pain signals and damage the nerve root by applying pressure when it is inflated.
  Electric current treatment involves inserting a hollow needle and sending an electric current to destroy the nerve fibers that are causing pain.
  Severing the nerve also can be used to neuralgia. During the procedure, the affected nerve is severed through a small incision so that it can no longer send pain signals.