Chronic Pain Management in War Survivors

Mugo Moses H.

School of Natural and Applied Sciences Kampala International University Uganda

ABSTRACT

Chronic pain is a prevalent and disabling consequence of war-related injuries, significantly impacting the physical, psychological, and social well-being of survivors. War injuries ranging from blast and shrapnel wounds to burns and crush injuries trigger complex pain mechanisms, including nociceptive, neuropathic, and centralized pain, often exacerbated by comorbid mental health disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the epidemiology, underlying mechanisms, assessment approaches, and management strategies for chronic pain in war survivors. Effective management requires multidisciplinary approaches encompassing pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, trauma-informed rehabilitation, and consideration of psychosocial determinants. Special attention is needed for vulnerable populations, including children, women, the elderly, displaced persons, and individuals with disabilities. Policy, health system infrastructure, and accessibility considerations further influence the successful delivery of care. Despite advances, research gaps remain in prevalence estimation, standardized assessment, treatment implementation, and integration of chronic pain management into post-conflict health systems. Strengthening evidence-based interventions is critical to improving recovery, functional outcomes, and quality of life for war-affected populations.

Keywords: Chronic pain, war injuries, rehabilitation, multidisciplinary care, and post-traumatic stress

 

CITE AS: Mugo Moses H. (2026). Chronic Pain Management in War Survivors. IDOSR JOURNAL OF APPLIED SCIENCES 11(1):1-5. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSRJAS/2026/11115