KETAMINE AS AN OPTIONAL TREATMENT IN CHRONIC PAIN - A REVIEW
International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science – September 25, 2025
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ketamine has emerged as a promising treatment for chronic pain, effectively alleviating conditions like neuropathic pain and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). In a review of multiple studies, ketamine demonstrated significant pain relief in over 70% of patients suffering from these conditions. Traditional opioid treatments often fail to provide adequate relief and carry risks of dependency. This alternative approach highlights ketamine’s potential as a safe and effective option in pain management, with ongoing exploration into its mechanisms and clinical applications.
Abstract
Chronic pain is a pervasive and debilitating condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Traditional methods of pain management, including the use of opioids, often fall short in providing adequate relief and come with significant risks, such as dependency and tolerance. As a result, there has been growing interest in exploring alternative treatments, with ketamine emerging as a promising option. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, has shown potential in alleviating various types of chronic pain, including neuropathic pain, cancer-related pain, and pain associated with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Aim of study: This review aims to examine the current evidence on the efficacy of ketamine in chronic pain management, exploring its mechanisms of action, clinical applications, safety profile, and potential limitations. Methods and materials: PubMed and Scopus databases were used to search for topic treated articles.