When
nerves are damaged they form microneuromas, which are microscopic nerve cells
that sprout at the site of the damage to the nerve. These new cells fire in
a barrage of activity that causes severe electrical, burning and shooting pain.
The area around the nerve damage becomes supersensitized and other nerves around
the damaged nerves fire with little or no stimulus. Next, nerve fibers that
normally do not carry pain become sensitized. These nerves create trouble because
they fire with little stimuli or with non-painful stimuli. Finally, nerve cell
bodies in the Dorsal root ganglia join in the excessive firing and send a huge
pain signal coming into the Central nervous system.
