Diagnosing and Treating Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition characterized by spontaneous and evoked regional pain, usually beginning in a distal extremity that is disproportionate in magnitude or duration to the typical course of pain after similar tissue trauma. CRPS is distinguished from other chronic pain conditions by the presence of signs indicating prominent autonomic and inflammatory changes in the region of pain. The specific triggering event of the regional pain may be evident, but the development of CRPS is not directly related to the degree of trauma, and why a particular individual goes on to develop CRPS is unknown. The selection of a treatment approach depends on the severity of symptoms and the degree of disability. Of paramount importance is that a successful treatment outcome for CRPS depends on a coordinated functional restoration interdisciplinary approach.