Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
- Description/Cause
- CRPS Type I: regional sympathetic dystrophy and may occur without a definite nerve lesion
- CRPS Type II: Casualgia
- Definite nerve lesion occurred
- "complex" because of the varied clinical presentation of the syndromes
- Prevalence and Risk Factors
- Trauma
- Sprains
- Bruises
- Soft tissue trauma to fractures
- Surgery of affected limb
- Shingles
- Myocardial Infarction
- Stroke
- idiopathic
- Signs and Symptoms
- Motor changes
- Trophic changes
- Sensory changes
- usually first to appear
- Persistent pain at disproportionate levels to the injury
- Evidence of edema
- Alteration in blood flow and motor activity
- Body Temperature
- Acute
- Warm symptomatic limbs
- Chronic
- "cold end-phase"
- Muscle weakness
- Joint stiffness
- Impaired accurate movements
- Objective and Special Tests
- Physical Examination
- Light touch and pinprick
- Hypersensitivity present in patients
- Treatments and Interventions
- NSAIDs and steroids for pain control
- Opioid treatments for pain control?
- NO long term studies
- Tricyclic anti-depressants
- Physical therapy, and some occupational therapy, has been effective in reducing pain and improving active mobility in patients with CRPS I of less than a one year duration
- Spinal manipulative therapy
- Soft tissue therapy
- Acupuncture
- Home Exercise Program
References
- Stanton T. Local anaesthetic sympathetic blockade for complex regional pain syndrome. Cochrane Database Of Systematic Reviews [serial online]. August 1, 2013;(8)Available from: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Ipswich, MA. Accessed July 9, 2015.
- Shearer H, Trim A. An unusual presentation and outcome of complex regional pain syndrome: a case report. Journal Of The Canadian Chiropractic Association [serial online]. March 2006;50(1):20-26. Available from: CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed July 9, 2015.
Acknowledgements:
David Funk, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Ethan Hunke, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Morgan Johnson, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Ed Nheiu, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Lindsay Walczak, Student Physical Therapist at A.T. Still University
Last edited: July 13, 2015