Advances in needle-based interventions for chronic neuropathic pain

Chronic neuropathic pain, arising from somatosensory system dysfunction, presents significant therapeutic challenges due to pathogenic complexity, individual variability, and limitations of current pharmacotherapies. Needle-based interventions, characterized by minimal invasiveness, dual analgesic-neurorestorative capabilities, and enhanced patient compliance, offer promising alternatives. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews that synthesize both technical advances and clinical applications of needle-based interventions for chronic neuropathic pain. This review synthesizes researches on needle-based chronic neuropathic pain management, categorizing needle-based devices into single needles and needle arrays. We analyze material properties, fabrication methods, therapeutic mechanisms, and clinical efficacy across major chronic neuropathic pain conditions (sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, spinal cord injury). Moreover, this review evaluates existing challenges and promising prospects that may accelerate clinical translation.