Poststroke pain – but multiple pain mechanisms

This case report discusses a 42-year-old man who experienced left hemiplegia due to a stroke and subsequently developed left-sided pain. The man's pain was initially thought to be central poststroke pain, but further examination revealed heterotopic ossification of the hip and amplification of pre-existing back pain. The case highlights that poststroke pain can be caused by multiple factors, and identifying these mechanisms is crucial for effective treatment.

• 1
  The patient's poststroke pain was multifactorial, involving central poststroke pain, heterotopic ossification, and amplification of previous low back pain.
• 2
  Heterotopic ossification, though rare after stroke, was identified as a significant contributor to the patient's hip pain.
• 3
  Treatment with indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, effectively reduced the patient's hip pain and improved his mobility by targeting the heterotopic ossification.