The Wound Pain Disconnect: Why Some Patients Hurt More Than Others
Published 3 days ago on WoundSource, this article explores why pain intensity varies significantly across patients with similar wounds—highlighting physical, psychological, and technical factors that influence the pain experience.
Key Highlights:
- Wound Characteristics: Factors like exposed nerve endings, adhesive trauma, and infection can heighten pain independent of wound size or depth.
- Neuropathic vs. Nociceptive Pain: Nociceptive pain stems from tissue damage or inflammation, while neuropathic pain reflects nerve involvement. Both can co-occur, making accurate assessment vital.
- Psychological Influences: Anxiety, fear, stress, and anticipatory pain amplify perception. Patients expecting pain tend to report higher pain levels.
- Moisture & Dressings: Overly wet or dry wound environments, plus aggressive adhesives, can cause additional discomfort and hurt healing.
- Assessment Gaps: Pain scales alone may miss nuanced factors—pain reports don’t always reflect the true wound experience without comprehensive history taking.
This article underscores the importance of a holistic pain management plan—addressing wound biology, patient mindset, and dressing choice—to improve comfort and outcomes.
Keywords:
adhesive trauma,
exposed nerve endings,
anticipatory anxiety,
moisture balance,
neuropathic pain,
nociceptive pain,
pain assessment