The capacity to experience pain is valuable for survival; however, the development of neuropathic pain is maladaptive and may be the result of a variety of underlying clinical diagnoses. Neuropathic pain has a significant impact on the patient's quality of life, function and psychological well-being and creates a personal and societal financial burden. It is an important issue within primary care that is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. It is essential to have a systematic approach to the assessment of these patients with neuropathic pain within primary care. The patient and clinician should develop an individual management strategy involving behavioural and psychological support, functional rehabilitation and pharmacological therapy with the aim of optimising quality of life. This article aims to summarise the background to neuropathic pain, the common presentations within primary care and the current treatment options available.
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