Idiopathic pain indicates which of the following?

• A. No identifiable etiology
• B. Pain of known origin
• C. Pain caused by tissue injury
• D. Pain that is purely psychological

Answer: (A)

Idiopathic pain means there is no identifiable etiology after a thorough evaluation. The term “idiopathic” indicates unknown origin, so this best matches pain for which no cause can be found despite appropriate history, exam, and tests. The other descriptions describe pain with a known origin, pain due to tissue injury, or a purely psychological explanation—none of which fit the idea of an unknown cause. Remember, even when no cause is found, the pain can be real and disabling, and management often focuses on function and multidisciplinary approaches.