Combination of pregabalin and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for neuropathic pain in a stroke patient after contralateral C7 nerve transfer: a case report

Background: Contralateral C7 nerve transfer is a new surgical treatment for stroke patients with unilateral upper extremity paralysis, but neuropathic pain in the nonparalyzed side is the common complication after surgery. We report a stroke patient with neuropathic pain after C7 nerve transfer who received combination treatment of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS) and pregabalin.Case Summary: A 53-year old, 6 months post-stroke patient with right hemiplegia after contralateral C7 nerve transfer was admitted in our department with a significant neuropathic pain in his left upper extremity. The treatment of pregabalin and TENS were used for patient. The visual analogue scale(VAS), medical outcomes study sleep scale(MOS-SS) and hospital anxiety and depression scale(HADS) were assessed after 1 months treatment. After treatment, the pain of his nonparalyzed upper extremity was relieved, the sleeping quality and the anxiety and depression were improved in patient.Conclusion: This report suggests that the combination of pregabalin and TENS have prominent clinical effects on neuropathic pain of nonparalyzed side in stroke patients after contralateral C7 nerve transfer.

Keywords: Contralateral C7 nerve transfer; TENS; neuropathic pain; pregabalin.