APA FORMAT, 3 PAGES
Integumentary and Musculoskeletal System Case Study
Several months ago, a young woman fell while rock climbing and her left leg was wedged tightly into a crevice. The resulting injury was severe and required amputation below the knee. She has reported to her physician that she continues to suffer from phantom limb pain.
Based on the scenario given above, answer the following:
- What theory explains the type of pain experienced by the woman described in the scenario?
- Nociceptors are free nerve endings in the afferent peripheral nervous system (PNS) that selectively respond to different stimuli. Please categorize according to stimulus which they respond to and the properties of the nerve fibers associated with them.
- Which fibers would most likely be responsible for causing the client’s phantom limb pain?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The case study presents a young woman who suffered an amputation below her knee after a severe injury while rock climbing. Despite losing the limb, the patient continues to suffer from phantom limb pain. In this assignment, we will explore the theories behind phantom limb pain and nociceptors, which are crucial in our understanding of pain.
1. What theory explains the type of pain experienced by the woman described in the scenario?
The Gate Control Theory explains the type of pain experienced by the woman in the scenario. The theory proposes that the spinal cord contains a neurological “gate” that controls the transmission of pain signals from the body to the brain. When the gate is open, pain signals pass through, and the person experiences pain. However, when the gate is closed, the pain signals cannot pass through, reducing or blocking the sensation of pain. In the case of phantom limb pain, the gate control theory posits that the brain tries to adapt to the loss of the limb by producing pain signals. The signals originate from the injured site but are blocked from reaching the brain due to the gate’s closure. As a result, the brain perceives pain in the missing limb, a phenomenon known as phantom limb pain.
2. Nociceptors are free nerve endings in the afferent peripheral nervous system (PNS) that selectively respond to different stimuli. Please categorize according to the stimulus which they respond to and the properties of the nerve fibers associated with them.
Nociceptors are categorized into three groups based on the stimuli they respond to: mechanical, thermal, and chemical. Mechanoreceptors detect mechanical stimuli, such as compression, stretching, or pinching. Thermoreceptors respond to temperature changes, and chemoreceptors are triggered by chemicals released from damaged tissues.
Nociceptors have two types of nerve fibers associated with them, A-delta and C fibers. A-delta fibers are myelinated and respond to mechanical and thermal stimuli. They are responsible for acute, sharp pain with a short duration. On the other hand, C fibers are unmyelinated and transmit information about thermal, mechanical, and chemical stimuli. They are responsible for chronic, dull, and aching pain that lasts longer.
3. Which fibers would most likely be responsible for causing the client’s phantom limb pain?
C fibers are most likely responsible for causing the client’s phantom limb pain. These fibers transmit information about mechanical and chemical stimuli, which are common triggers for phantom limb pain. Furthermore, C fibers are unmyelinated, which means they can transmit signals slowly, leading to the persistent and chronic nature of phantom limb pain. The prolonged activation of C fibers can cause inflammation and changes in the central nervous system, leading to alterations in the body’s pain processing mechanisms and further pain perception.
