Pain scales for adults and children

Pain descriptions and related structure: muscle

Cramping, dull, aching

Pain descriptions and related structure: nerve root

Sharp, shooting

Pain descriptions and related structure: nerve

Sharp, bright, lightening-like

Pain descriptions and related structure: sympathetic nerve

Burning, pressure-like, stinging, aching

Pain descriptions and related structure: bone

Deep, nagging, dull

Pain descriptions and related structure: fracture

Sharp, severe, intolerable

Pain descriptions and related structure: vasculature

Throbbing, diffuse

Assessment of pain should include

- Pain onset

- Pattern of pain

- Exact location of pain

- Results of pain questionnaire

- If pain radiates

- Description of pain

- Work/activities affected by pain

- Pain rating

Pain rating scales for children

- Faces pain rating scale (cartoon faces)

- Oucher (photographs of children)

- For both: higher number = more pain