Kuttner (2006) indicates that it is rare to achieve
total neuropathic pain relief using a single
approach, and that implementing an interdisciplinary
approach to pain management involving
doctors, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists,
chaplains, play therapists and others, as well as
the child’s family, is likely to be the most successful
method. Management approaches can be
broadly categorised as pharmacological or nonpharmacological.
However, it is important to
note that children with severe neuropathic pain
may need it to be treated as a medical emergency.
If left untreated for any reason pain can rapidly
escalate and become out of control (Jassal,
2011). Mercadante (2004) suggests that pain in
childhood can lead to increased morbidity.
Consequently, management may require the
child’s admission to hospital for intravenous
access to obtain rapid pain control.