[Ins and outs of neurologic therapy for chronic pain]

Although chronic pain is common, especially in elderly patients, its treatment often remains inadequate. One of many reasons for this is that insufficient therapy of acute pain carries the risk of making the pain chronic. Sooner or later most patients suffering from chronic pain will consult a neurologist. However, in most neurological departments, pain treatment is neither one of the common medical activities nor a subject in medical education. In Germany, only specialised centres have associated pain outpatient clinics, so it is almost impossible for neurologist trainees to improve their knowledge in pain treatment. This review provides a synopsis of procedures regarding chronic pain treatments, with particular focus on the most frequent pain disorders. The treatment recommendations follow the current guidelines of the German Society of Neurology.