{"id":"20b73248-e8cf-440e-941c-023ddd81187d","slug":"when-the-pain-wont-wane-its-mainly-in-the-brain","title":"“When the pain won’t wane it’s mainly in the brain”","authors":["Ron Pawl"],"abstract":"Background: Chronic pain syndrome is characterized by pain without a definable underlying organic substrate, often resulting from inappropriate surgical interventions. The psychological and social factors contributing to chronic pain are complex and multifaceted, necessitating a careful evaluation by healthcare providers. Methods: This article reviews various aspects of chronic pain syndromes, including patient histories, psychological profiles, and the role of secondary gain. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the motivations behind chronic pain complaints and the potential pitfalls of surgical interventions. Results: Patients with chronic pain often exhibit distinct psychological profiles, including elevations in hysteria and hypochondriasis on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. The interplay of secondary gain and legal factors significantly influences treatment outcomes and patient behavior. Conclusion: Surgeons must be educated about the complexities of chronic pain syndromes to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions. A multidisciplinary approach, including psychological evaluation, is essential for effective management of chronic pain patients. Keywords: chronic pain, psychological factors, surgery, secondary gain, MMPI, pain management, legal issues, patient evaluation","thumbnailUrl":null,"publishDate":"2013-06-13T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.113442","categories":["Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/api/articles/20b73248-e8cf-440e-941c-023ddd81187d/pdf"}