Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms underpinning ongoing symptoms in chronic whiplash associated-disorder (WAD) are not well understood. People with chronic WAD can exhibit sensory dysfunction consistent with small nerve fibre pathology, including thermal hypoaesthesia and hyperalgesia. This study investigated small fibre structure and function in chronic WAD. METHODS: Twenty-four people with chronic WAD (median [IQR] age 49 [15] years, 16 females) and 24 pain-free controls (50 [17] years, 16 females) were recruited. Intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) and dermal innervation were assessed by skin biopsy. This was performed at i) the lateral index finger on the primary side of pain and ii) superior to the lateral malleolus on the contralateral side. Quantitative sensory testing was performed over the hand. RESULTS: The WAD group exhibited lower IENFD at the finger (WAD: median [IQR] 4.5 [4.9] fibres/mm; control 7.3 [3.9]; p = 0.010), but not the ankle (WAD: mean [SD] 7.3 [3.7] fibres/mm; control 9.3 [3.8]; p = 0.09). Dermal innervation was lower in the WAD group at the finger (WAD: median [IQR] 3.7 [2.8] nerve bundles/mm2 ; controls: 4.9 [2.1]; p = 0.017) but not the ankle (WAD: median [IQR] 2.1 [1.9] nerve bundles/mm2 ; controls: 1.8 [1.8]; p = 0.70). In the WAD group, hand thermal and light touch detection were impaired, and heat pain thresholds were lowered (p ≤ 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest small fibre structural and functional deficits in chronic WAD, implicating potential involvement of small fibre pathology.

Original publication

DOI

10.1002/ejp.1549

Type

Journal article

Journal

Eur J Pain

Publication Date

24/02/2020

Keywords

neck pain, quantitative sensory testing, skin biopsy, small fibre pathology, whiplash injuries