Treat the Neuropathic Pain—and the Rest of the Person, Too: PM&R Physician Saloni Sharma, MD 

An emotional overlay in individuals with neuropathic pain is common, physiatrist Saloni Sharma, MD, said in a recent interview with Patient Care. But it's not unique to neuropathic pain as a response to chronic discomfort and disability that restricts participation in daily life, she added.

During this conversation Sharma addressed the importance of interdisciplinary care for patients with neuropathic pain secondary to complex conditions such as diabetic neuropathy and encouraged primary care clinicians in particular to contact a PM&R colleague to help support a patient with a range of needs. She closed with comments on the wide variety of interventions for neuropathic pain that essentially obviate any need to consider opioid analgesics.

Saloni Sharma, MD, is assistant professor of rehabilitation medicine and medical director of the Orthopaedic Integrative Health Center at the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, PA. Sharma is also the co-chair of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PM&R BOLD Pain Management and Spine Rehabilitation Practice Area.