Functional evaluation of the chronic pain patient

Abstract

The evaluation of pain is necessary for quantification of the present characteristics of the algic conditions and the
result of the treatments and their implications, for comparison of the results observed in the same patient in different occasions and or different cases in different units. A detailed history of the pain, an appropriate physical evaluation (neurological and muscleskeletal) are important for the clarification of the diagnosis. The correct diagnosis of the causes of the pain is important for the reduction of the complications and for selection of more appropriate treatment procedures. The methods of evalution should be consistent, sensible and specific. They must measure the sensitive, avaliative and affective dimensions of pain, their implications in the daily life activities and their psychosocial impacts, the attitudes on believes of the patients the cause of pain, associated diseases the past medical histories, familiar, deficits and handicaps that are instruments for the diagnosis of the clinical conditions resulting in or from pain. Self reports, inventories and physical examination are the tolls for evaluation of pain; some were validated, some are being validated in our country.