[Chronic pain after spinal cord injury--a descriptive study]

Sixty-three patients with chronic pain following spinal cord injury (SCI) completed a questionnaire about different aspects of pain. Median duration from SCI to first experience of pain was four months. The duration of pain was for a median of three years. Fifty-six percent graded their pain as strong or unbearable. Ninety-two percent of the patients had daily pain, and in 43% the pain was constant day and night. The pain seriously affected daily living in 38% and sleep was disturbed in 48%. The pain had worsened in 43% and improved in 16% since its start. No association was found between performed spinal surgical procedures and the intensity of pain, the course of the pain, the time from SCI till pain started or the size of the area of pain. The most frequently used words to describe pain were "stabbing" and "tingling". This study documents the severity and course of chronic pain following SCI.