REFERRED PAIN: MECHANISMS, CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE, AND DIAGNOSTIC APPROACHES
Keywords:
Referred pain, nociception, convergence theory, visceral pain, diagnosis, neurologyAbstract
Referred pain is a phenomenon in which pain is perceived at a location other than the site of the painful stimulus. This occurs due to the convergence of sensory nerve fibers from different anatomical regions onto the same spinal neurons. Understanding referred pain is crucial for accurate clinical diagnosis and treatment, as it can often mimic pain originating from internal organs or musculoskeletal structures. This paper explores the physiological mechanisms underlying referred pain, its diagnostic implications, and examples of common referred pain patterns in clinical practice. Recognizing these patterns helps healthcare professionals differentiate between local and referred pain, reducing misdiagnosis and improving patient outcomes.
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