What is the term for nerve pain that develops after a stroke?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: June 28, 2026 • View editorial policy

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question

Central Poststroke Pain (CPSP)

The term for nerve pain that develops after a stroke is "central poststroke pain" (CPSP), also historically known as "Dejerine-Roussy syndrome" when specifically associated with thalamic stroke. 1

Definition and Pathophysiology

CPSP is pain resulting from a lesion in the somatosensory system within the central nervous system, not from peripheral nerve damage or psychological causes 1. The condition can occur from damage anywhere along the spinothalamic and thalamocortical tracts, though it's classically associated with thalamic stroke 1.

Diagnostic Criteria

To diagnose CPSP, three requirements must be met 1:

  • Pain develops after the stroke occurs
  • Pain is located in a body area that corresponds to the CNS lesion
  • Pain cannot be explained by peripheral neuropathic or nociceptive causes

Clinical Characteristics

Pain typically begins within days after stroke, with most patients becoming symptomatic within the first month 1. The incidence is estimated at 7-8% of stroke patients 1.

The pain is characteristically described as:

  • Burning or aching in quality
  • Often accompanied by allodynia (pain from normally non-painful stimuli like touch, cold, or movement) 1

Important Clinical Pitfall

Early evoked pain or dysesthesia at stroke onset is a strong predictor for developing CPSP 2. The combination of reduced sensation to pinprick or cold plus early evoked pain increases the odds of developing CPSP by 8-fold 2. This means you should specifically test for and document these sensory abnormalities in the acute stroke period to identify at-risk patients.

Terminology Note

While "central poststroke pain" is the current standard term 1, 3, you may also encounter:

  • Central post-stroke pain (with hyphenation) 3, 4
  • Dejerine-Roussy syndrome (specifically for thalamic stroke cases) 1
  • Thalamic pain syndrome (older terminology)

The Canadian guidelines use "Central Post Stroke Pain (CPSP)" as their preferred nomenclature 3, while the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association uses "central poststroke pain" without hyphenation 1.

References

Related Questions

What is the recommended acute management for a major stroke?
What should be evaluated and how should profuse sweating be managed in a patient after stroke?
How long after a stroke should a cardiac stress test be performed?
How should a left middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory stroke caused by complete occlusion of the left common carotid artery be managed?
What essential questions should I ask a suspected stroke patient (or their surrogate) during rounds to assess symptom onset and characteristics, risk factors, medication list, drug allergies, recent surgeries or bleeding events, baseline functional status, current neurological and systemic symptoms, recent infections, and advance directives?
What are the treatment options for cutaneous metastatic Crohn’s disease?
For a patient receiving 50 units of U‑500 Humulin (insulin human) three times daily, what is the equivalent dose of Humalog (insulin lispro)?
In a patient with possible hepatorenal syndrome, acute kidney injury, elevated B-type natriuretic peptide indicating volume overload, and mild hyperkalemia, should I give a dose of Lokelma (sodium zirconium cyclosilicate)?
Should I discontinue hydrochlorothiazide and evaluate for anemia in a patient with a bleeding disorder who has brief light‑headed episodes, a metallic taste, and recent oral bleeding?
In a patient with chronic atrial fibrillation on warfarin for seven years undergoing transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT), is the procedure considered intermediate or high risk for bleeding?
How does vaping or electronic cigarette use affect anesthesia management and peri‑operative outcomes?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.