Why does chronic nerve compression in carpal tunnel syndrome result in persistent pain despite anti-inflammatory treatment?

💡 Explanation

Chronic nerve compression causes nociceptor activation leading to substance P release and long-term potentiation of synapses in the spinal cord, causing central sensitization, because the pain pathways become more excitable independent of the initial injury. Therefore, pain persists even when inflammation is reduced, rather than being directly caused by inflammatory mediators.

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