Complex regional pain syndrome

From greek.doctor
  • Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), also known as complex regional pain syndrome, Sudeck atrophy, or reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is a condition where painful sensations in a limb are more prolonged or more severe than would be expected
  • Classically occurs after trauma, but can occur after other conditions as well
  • Clinical features
    • Excessive pain
    • Hyperesthesia
    • Vasomotor problems (hypo/hyperthermia, hypo/hyperpigmentation)
  • Stages
    • Acute stage (stage I) (within a few weeks of trauma)
    • Subacute stage (stage II) (within a few months)
    • Chronic stage (stage III) (for years)
      • Skin and muscle atrophy
      • Constant pain
  • Diagnosis
    • Triple-phase bone scintigraphy
  • Treatment
    • Rest/immobilization
    • NSAIDs
    • Steroids
    • Physiotherapy