Central Pain Syndrome | Definition, Symptoms, & Settlement

Central Pain Syndrome (CPS) is a chronic pain condition caused by damage to the brain or spinal cord, often due to injury or trauma. Unfortunately, many go undiagnosed and untreated, struggling to manage a condition that seems to have no apparent cause.

If you developed CPS from an accident or due to someone else’s negligence, help is available. At the Brain Injury Law Center, we advocate for those who have suffered brain or spinal cord injuries. We understand how devastating invisible disabilities like CPS can be and are here to help you seek justice for your injuries.

Contact our team of brain injury attorneys for a free case consultation at (757) 244-7000 or online for a 100% free case review if you’re struggling with CPS after an accident.

About Central Pain Syndrome

Central Pain Syndrome (CPS) is a neurological condition that causes chronic pain due to damage to the central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain and spinal cord.

This damage interferes with how the brain processes pain signals, causing them to be misinterpreted or intensified. This damage can result from traumatic events like car accidents, falls, or workplace injuries. CPS can also coincide with other conditions, such as:

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Common in car accidents or falls, causing damage to the brain.
Spinal Cord Injuries: Severe impacts or spinal compression can cause lasting nerve damage. Between 20% and 40% of people with a spinal cord injury also have CPS.
Strokes: Interrupt blood flow to brain parts responsible for pain regulation.
Multiple Sclerosis: About 30% of people with multiple sclerosis suffer from CPS.

Answering the question what is Central Pain Syndrome can be tricky because it can vary from person to person. The pain associated with CPS can range from mild to severe, but is often constant.

Simple things like a light touch or a slight temperature change can trigger overwhelming discomfort. For some, the pain is limited to one area of the body, while others experience it in multiple parts.

As the pain persists, it can make it difficult to sleep, concentrate, and maintain relationships. This condition doesn’t just affect the body—it impacts emotional well-being, taking a heavy toll on their mental health.

CPS is an especially troubling condition because it can be so isolating and hard to manage, leaving those affected feeling frustrated or misunderstood.
If your CPS developed due to a car accident, medical malpractice, or workplace injury, the Brain Injury Law Center is here for you. Let us help you get the justice you deserve. Contact (757) 244-7000 to get started online or by phone.

Central Pain Syndrome Symptoms

Central Pain Syndrome (CPS) causes chronic pain that can vary in location, intensity, and timing. The pain you feel depends on which part of the nervous system is affected, and it may impact one area or spread throughout your body.

While the pain is usually constant, it can come and go for some people. Its intensity can range from moderate to severe, and it may change over time, but it rarely completely fades. Often, the pain occurs without any obvious cause, making it difficult to pinpoint or treat. Central Pain Syndrome symptoms may include:

Burning Pain: Ranging from mild warmth to intense, burning sensations.
Sharp or Stabbing Pain: Sudden, intense sensations that may strike without warning.
Severe Itching: An uncomfortable and persistent itching sensation.
Deep Muscle Aches: Aching or soreness that can feel like it’s coming from deep inside the body.
Cutting or Slicing Pain: Sharp, cutting sensations that feel like they are slicing the body.
Heightened Sensitivity: Pain may become more intense due to factors like stress, cold weather, or physical activity. Even being startled or emotionally upset can make the pain feel worse.
Changes in Mental Health: Chronic pain can disrupt sleep, causing exhaustion, memory loss, and mental fog. CPS can also lead to anxiety and depression.

Anyone experiencing these symptoms after an accident or injury should seek medical attention. Proper diagnosis and documentation of symptoms give sufferers access to treatment. Medical records can also play a vital role in supporting legal compensation claims.

How Is Central Pain Syndrome Diagnosed?

Diagnosing Central Pain Syndrome (CPS) can be challenging due to the complexity of its symptoms and pain feels different from person to person.

Furthermore, symptoms often overlap with other chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia. A proper diagnosis requires a thorough evaluation by a professional who understands the disorder. The process of diagnosing CPS usually involves several steps:

Medical History Review: Doctors examine past injuries, particularly those involving the brain or spinal cord, to identify potential causes of CPS.
Symptom Assessment: Patients describe their pain, focusing on intensity, duration, triggers, locations, and its impact on daily life.
Neurological Exams: These tests check for abnormalities in sensory processing, motor function, and reflexes.
Imaging Studies: Tools like MRIs, EEGs, PETs, or CT scans may be used to detect brain or spinal cord damage. While these tests cannot confirm CPS, they can identify potential sources of nervous system injury.
Specialist Consultations: Neurologists or pain specialists often evaluate patients to rule out other conditions and confirm a CPS diagnosis.

People often misdiagnose CPS because they misunderstand its symptoms or dismiss them as psychological issues. However, the actual condition requires a careful, evidence-based approach to confirm. Victims should seek care from medical professionals experienced in diagnosing and treating chronic neurological conditions.

Central Pain Syndrome Treatment

Central Pain Syndrome (CPS) is difficult to manage because there is no cure. Treatment focuses on reducing pain, improving daily function, and enhancing quality of life.

A multidisciplinary approach combining medications, therapies, and psychological support is often necessary. The following are the most common treatments for CPS:

Medications: Such as anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and non-opioid pain relievers.
Therapy: This includes exercises to improve mobility, adapt to pain, or reduce pain response over time.
Advanced treatment: This may include spinal cord stimulators that block pain signals before they reach the brain or transcranial magnetic stimulation, which may reduce chronic pain through brain stimulation.

CPS also affects mental health, making psychological support an important part of treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps patients cope with the emotional challenges of chronic pain. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques, like meditation, can further improve mental well-being.

Emerging research offers hope for better treatments in the future. Scientists are exploring new drugs and technologies to address CPS more effectively. However, current options often involve trial and error, as not all treatments work for everyone.

The cost of treating CPS can be overwhelming, especially for accident victims facing medical bills and lost income. Filing a successful claim may provide the financial resources needed for effective treatment. With proper care and support, CPS sufferers can regain some control over their lives.

Legal Options for Accident Victims With Central Pain Syndrome

For accident victims diagnosed with CPS, pursuing legal action is an important first step. Negligence, such as car accidents, workplace injuries, or falls, can leave you grappling with CPS at no fault of your own.

Victims may face lifelong challenges, including chronic pain, reduced earning capacity, and high medical costs. Legal claims can help them secure financial support to ease these burdens.

Navigating the legal system while dealing with CPS can be overwhelming. A skilled legal team can provide the guidance and support necessary to secure the compensation you deserve by doing the following:

Investigating the Cause of the Injury: Our attorneys will gather evidence to show how the accident caused brain or spinal cord damage. This may involve collecting police reports, witness statements, and surveillance footage to establish negligence. We will also establish a connection between the accident and the development of CPS, a crucial step in proving liability.
Working With Medical Experts: Our team will collaborate with medical professionals specializing in neurological disorders. These experts can provide testimony to explain how the injury caused CPS and the long-term effects on your health. Medical opinions carry significant weight in legal cases and can strengthen your claim.
Calculating Damages: CPS often results in significant medical expenses, loss of income, and ongoing care needs. We will calculate all current and future damages for medications, therapies, long-term care costs for chronic pain management, lost wages and reduced earning potential, and pain and suffering to address the emotional toll of living with CPS.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies: Insurance adjusters may try to minimize your claim or deny it altogether. Our team can negotiate aggressively, ensuring you receive a fair settlement. If negotiations fail, they’ll prepare to take your case to court.
Filing a Lawsuit Within Legal Deadlines: Personal injury claims are subject to statutes of limitations, meaning you only have a limited time to file a lawsuit. We can ensure the timely and accurate filing of paperwork, safeguarding your right to pursue compensation.

Beyond financial support, legal action can provide a sense of justice and closure. CPS victims often face immense challenges, but holding responsible parties accountable can help them regain control.

How the Brain Injury Law Center Helps Clients

The Brain Injury Law Center has devoted its time to focusing solely on brain injuries and the lifelong costs of living with them.

Our team consists of lawyers with over five decades of experience litigating brain injury cases. Through our dedication and experience in this area of law, we have been responsible for several landmark settlements and verdicts in brain injury cases, including:

$60.26 Million Verdict: To a man injured when a train derailed and sent a pair of train cars crashing into the gas station where he was working, causing a mild traumatic brain injury.
$10 Million Verdict: To a man who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury in a crash.
$12.26 Million Verdict: In Virginia’s largest slip and fall verdict, this case involved a man who suffered a mild traumatic brain injury during a fall.

With over $1 billion in compensation recovered for our clients, our experience proves our dedication to getting our clients justice. We understand the unique challenges and complexities of these cases.

Contact us today for a free case review at (757) 244-7000 or online to chat about how we can help you if you suffer from CPS due to an accident.

Related Resources

If you found this central pain syndrome content helpful, please view the related topics below:

What Is Central Pain Syndrome?