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Chapter 27 - Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

from Part VI - Misc

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 December 2023

By
Alan D. Kaye  and
Nolan Weinstein
Edited by
Omar Viswanath  and
Ivan Urits
Omar Viswanath
Affiliation:
Creighton University, Omaha
Ivan Urits
Affiliation:
Southcoast Brain & Spine Center, Wareham
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Summary

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a long-term pain condition that commonly affects the extremities and is associated with increased sensitivity to pain and touch. CRPS is classified into two types: CRPS-I and CRPS-II. The former occurs when there is no apparent nerve damage, whereas the latter is linked to known nerve damage. Psychological factors may play a role in the development of CRPS, with studies indicating that individuals with a history of depression and PTSD are at a higher risk of developing this condition. There are various treatment options available for CRPS, including physical therapy, medication, and interventional techniques such as nerve blocks and transcranial stimulation. However, larger and more comprehensive studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of these therapies. While NSAIDs have not been found to be effective in treating CRPS, sympathetic nerve blocks are commonly used but have mixed results. Finally, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a surgical treatment option that is recommended after conservative treatments have failed to produce significant symptom relief over several months.

Keywords

complex regional pain syndromespinal cord stimulationallodynianerve painnerve injury
Type
Chapter
Information
Cambridge Handbook of Pain Medicine , pp. 220 - 227
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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