Comprehensive Insights into Post-Traumatic Trigeminal Neuropathy: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management Approaches
DOI:
10.29303/jossed.v7i1.12789Published:
2026-04-30Downloads
Abstract
Post-Traumatic Trigeminal Neuropathy (PTTNP) is a debilitating orofacial pain condition resulting from trauma or surgical interventions involving the trigeminal nerve. Despite growing attention in clinical literature, diagnosis and management remain challenging. This review aims to critically examine current literature regarding the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic options related to PTTNP. Diagnosis of post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTNP) is established through a structured clinical assessment. This includes detailed patient history, evaluation of pain characteristics and functional impairment, objective sensory testing such as Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) and two-point discrimination, as well as adjunctive imaging modalities like MRI and DTI. Prognostic evaluation may be enhanced by predictive models that integrate subjective and objective findings. Findings emphasize the importance of early diagnosis, highlight subjective and objective sensory assessment tools, and outline both pharmacological and surgical strategies with varied outcomes. Predictive models and psychological factors are crucial in prognosis and recovery. PTTNP is a complex condition requiring interdisciplinary collaboration. Early intervention, comprehensive diagnostics, and personalized treatment plans are vital for optimal outcomes
Keywords:
Nerve injury Neurosensory dysfunction Pain Post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy Orofacial painReferences
Liu Y, Tanaka T. (2025). Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of trigeminal neuralgia: A narrative review. J Clin Med, 14(2), 528. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14020528
Meewis J, Renton T, Jacobs R, Van der Cruyssen F. (2021). Post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy: Correlation between objective and subjective assessments and a prediction model for neurosensory recovery. J Headache Pain, 22(1):44. https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-021-01261-
Neal TW, Zuniga JR. (2022). Post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain: Factors affecting surgical treatment outcomes. Front Oral Health, 3,904785.
https://doi.org/10.3389/froh.2022.904785
Park HJ, Ahn JM, Ryu JW. (2024). Post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain: A narrative review of understanding, management, and prognosis. Biomedicines, 12(9), 2058.
https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12092058
Sabeh A. (2024). The management of peripheral painful traumatic trigeminal neuropathy secondary to implant placement using topical medication. J Pain Manag Med, 10(2),1–4.
Zakrzewska JM. (2010). Multidisciplinary team working for chronic orofacial pain. J Headache Pain, 11(6), 499–505.
Cruccu G, Truini A. (2017). Refractory neuropathic pain: Clinical and pathophysiological considerations. Pain, 158(2), 208–15.
Benoliel R, Eliav E. (2008). Neuropathic orofacial pain. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am, 20(2), 237–54.
Renton T. (2010). Prevention of iatrogenic inferior alveolar nerve injuries in relation to dental procedures. Dent Update, 37(6), 350–61.
Cruccu G, Sommer C, Anand P, et al. (2010). EFNS guidelines on neuropathic pain assessment. Eur J Neurol, 17(8), 1010–8.
Di Stefano G, Truini A. (2017). Painful peripheral neuropathies. Curr Opin Neurol, 30(5), 534–40.
Zakrzewska JM, Linskey ME. (2014). Trigeminal neuralgia. BMJ Clin Evid, 2014, 1207.
Scholz J, Woolf CJ. (2002). Can we conquer pain? Nat Neurosci, 5, 1062–7.
Benoliel R, Gaul C. (2017). Persistent idiopathic facial pain: Migrainous, neuropathic, or both? Curr Pain Headache Rep, 21(6), 17.
Baad-Hansen L, Juhl GI, Jensen TS, Svensson P. (2004). Differential effect of pain relief by systemic lidocaine and naloxone in trigeminal neuralgia. Pain, 108(1–2), 124–32.
Becerra L, Morris S, Bazes S, et al. (2006). Trigeminal pain processing in migraine patients: An fMRI study. Cephalalgia, 26(5),512–20.
Nurmikko TJ, Eldridge PR. (2001). Trigeminal neuralgia—pathophysiology, diagnosis and current treatment. Br J Anaesth, 87(1), 117–32.
Bennetto L, Patel NK, Fuller G. (2007). Trigeminal neuralgia and its management. BMJ, 334(7586), 201–5.
Love S, Coakham HB. (2001). Trigeminal neuralgia: Pathology and pathogenesis. Brain, 124(12), 2347–60.
Burchiel KJ. (2003). A new classification for facial pain. Neurosurgery, 53(5), 1164–7.
Attal N, Fermanian C, Fermanian J, et al. (2008). Neuropathic pain: Are there distinct subtypes depending on the aetiology or anatomical lesion? Pain, 138(2), 343–53.
Olesen J. (2004). International Classification of Headache Disorders. Lancet Neurol, 3(10), 609–17.
Zakrzewska JM. (2010). Evidence-based practice: Trigeminal neuralgia. Br Dent J, 208(4), 153–5.
Sandell T, Eide PK. (2008). Effect of microvascular decompression in trigeminal neuralgia patients with and without constant pain. Neurosurgery, 63(1), 93–9.
Nurmikko TJ, Eldridge PR. (2002). Trigeminal neuralgia: Pathophysiology and treatment. Drugs Aging, 19(6), 403–12.
Haanpaa M, Attal N, Backonja M, et al. (2011). NeuPSIG guidelines on neuropathic pain assessment. Pain, 152(1), 14–27.
Zakrzewska JM, Patsalos PN. (2002). Long-term outcome of medical management of classical trigeminal neuralgia. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 72(5), 641–5.
Cruccu G, Biasiotta A, Di Rezze S, et al. (2008). Trigeminal neuralgia: Frequency of occurrence and effectiveness of carbamazepine. Neurology, 70(15), 1199–205.
Obermann M, Yoon MS, Ese D, et al. (@007). Impaired trigeminal nociceptive processing in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Neurology, 69(9), 835–41.
Jensen TS, Baron R. (2003). Translation of symptoms and signs into mechanisms in neuropathic pain. Pain, 102(1–2), 1–8.
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Susanna Halim, Diana Mayleen Halim

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Journal of Science and Science Education, agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). This license allows authors to use all articles, data sets, graphics and appendices in data mining applications, search engines, web sites, blogs, and other platforms by providing an appropriate reference. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions and will retain publishing rights without restrictions.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in Journal of Science and Science Education.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).


