Allodynia

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Original Editors - Abbi Davis, Jessica Bradshaw, & Parker Hall as part of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education School of Physical Therapy Musculoskeletal 1 Project
Top Contributors - Parker Hall, Melissa Coetsee, Abbi Davis, Jessica Bradshaw, Olajumoke Ogunleye and Kim Jackson

Overview

Allodynia is defined by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) as

"Pain resulting from a stimulus that does not normally provoke/elicit pain"

For example, brushing a feather against the arm causes pain where it should only cause a sensation. It is a clinical term to describe this phenomenon of altered quality of a sensation, and does not imply a mechanism or specific diagnosis.It may however give insight into possible mechanisms at play.

Classification

Allodynia is categorised into three types:

1. Dynamic (or mechanical) when pain results from an object moving across the skin (stroking)
2. Thermal which results from mild temperature changes
3. Tactile (or static) which results from gentle touch or pressure.

Aetiology/Mechanism

Allodynia is considered a sign/symptom, not a disease. It may be a temporary 'normal' response to tissue damage (eg. sunburn), but can persist in chronic pain conditions.

The mechanisms responsible for allodynia include:

• Long-term potentiation error
• Activation of silent nociceptors: A-beta fibres communicate with and activate nociceptors (A-delta fibres) through sodium channels
• Central inhibition errors: Disinhibition of secondary spinal networks. Mental state can influence the perception of allodynia by altering the inhibition of nociceptive input. In other words, a loss of spinal segregation of touch and pain can be a key mechanism of allodynia.

Conditions

Allodynia is often associated with conditions that involve sensitisation of the skin. Common examples include sunburn, inflammation or trauma.Allodynia is a normal protective response after tissue injury has occurred and will usually subside as healing progresses. It may however increase over time in certain conditions, such as neuropathic pain conditions.

Listed below are some conditions that may present with allodynia:

• Neuropathic Pain: Allodynia is present in 15-50% of patients with neuropathic pain
• Diabetic Neuropathy: Often bilateral, distal and symmetrical allodynia
• Postherpetic Neuralgia
• Fibromyalgia
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy
• Migraine: Cutaneous allodynia is present in about 65% of people suffering from migraines
• Central Sensitisation
• Peripheral Sensitisation
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
• Chronic Low Back Pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Post-amputation stump pain
• Snake bites

Differential Diagnosis

Allodynia vs. Hyperalgesia

Another clinical term that needs to be differentiated from allodynia, is hyperalgesia. Where allodynia refers to changes in the quality of sensation, hyperalgesia refers to changes in the intensity of the sensation of pain.

Hyperalgesia is the condition of having increased sensitivity to pain or enhanced intensity of pain sensation. There is an exaggerated experience of pain from a stimulus that is normally painful - i.e. an increased response/pain on suprathreshold stimulation (see image) .

Although allodynia and hyperalgesia are distinct clinical terms, they can co-exist.

Assessment

Subjective Assessment:

• Obtain a history of diabetes, herpes, chemotherapy, HIV, surgical procedures - any of these could contribute to neuropathic pain
• Take note of current medications as some medications can cause neuropathic pain (eg. antiretroviral treatment and chemotherapy)
• Is the pain associated with touch or stroking or temperature changes
• Mental health screening to determine stress levels and detect depression and/or anxiety

Objective Assessment:

• Always compare the the unaffected side or a body site distant from the affected area (especially if there is bilateral involvement)
• Light touch: With the patient's eyes closed, use a cotton swab/Q-tip to gently stroke the affected area and then the opposite side/unaffected and note whether the patient feels pain
• Temperature: Use a cold metal coin for cold, and then heat it in your pocket for heat - determine whether the patient feels pain with cold/hot touch
• If allodynia is present, determine whether it follows a dermatomal or peripheral nerve pattern, and whether it is bilateral
• Testing for allodynia forms part of Quantitative Sensory Testing - see the page for a more detailed description of assessment and interpretation
• If allodynia is present, a neurological examination (reflexes, muscle strength etc.) is indicated to determine whether nerve damage could be the underlying cause

Treatment

There are multiple ways that healthcare providers can help treat allodynia. Providers can either treat the condition that is causing allodynia or try to reduce the pain.

• Medication: Anticonvulsants (used to treat seizures), triptans (used to treat migraines), and some antidepressants. Topical creams that can help manage allodynia will typically have lidocaine or capsaicin as the active ingredient. Opioids should be avoided.
• Psychosocial interventions: Counselling may be recommended if signs of depression are detected. Biofeedback, mindfulness training, and cognitive behavioural therapy can change the way a person responds to pain.
• Physiotherapy: The psychologically informed physiotherapist can include pain neuroscience education (PNE) and cognitive functional therapy. Physiotherapist can help manage allodynia with desensitization and/or mirror therapy.
• Other procedures: A nerve block injection may be recommended to reduce pain in a specific nerve or nerve group.

Prevention

Allodynia can not be directly prevented, however, one can lower the risk of acquiring a condition that causes allodynia. Risk management includes exercising regularly, monitoring health, managing mental health , maintaining a healthy weight, having a balanced diet, and having good sleep hygiene.

Conclusion

Allodynia is a clinical sign that indicates sensitisation of the nervous system. It is common in neuropathic and chronic pain conditions, and may be influenced by emotional state. It can also have a significant negative impact on quality of life and requires early detection and multidisciplinary management.