Complex regional pain syndrome

Question 1

What is another term for complex regional pain syndrome?

Answer 1

Reflex sympathetic dystrophy

Question 2

What is occuring in CRPS?

Answer 2

early pain is greater than expected for tissue trauma

Question 3

What is the etiology of CRPS?

Answer 3

1. surgery
2. UMN lesion such as TBI or CVA
3. LMN lesion such as neuropathies or entrapments

Question 4

Duration and S/S of stage 1 of CRPS

Answer 4

Duration: up to 10 days following injury

1. pain- more severe than expected
2. hyperalgesia
3. allodynia (all stimuli are perceived as pain)
4. Hyperpathia (threshold to pain is increased, once exceeded sensation intensity increased more rapidly and greater than expected)
5. Edema is soft and localized
6. Affected limb warmer
7. Dry, hyperthermic skin

Question 5

Duration and S/S of stage 2 of CRPS

Answer 5

Duration: 3-6 months

1. pain- worsens: constant, burning and aching
2. allodynia, hyperalgia, hyperpathia
3. Edema becomes hard causing joint stiffness
4. Affected limb is neither warm nor cold
5. Thin, glossy, cool skin

Question 6

Duration and S/S of stage 3 of CRPS

Answer 6

Duration: 6-12 months

1. pain- spreads proximally, occasionally to entire skin surface
2. edema continues to harden
3. affected limb cooler
4. thin, shiny, cyanotic, dry skin

Question 7

What are the motor symptoms of CRPS?

Answer 7

1. inability to initiate movement
2. weakness
3. tremor
4. muscle spasms
5. dystrophy- wasting away of body tissue
6. atrophy- gradual decline in effectiveness due to underuse or neglect

Question 8

What is the treatment of CRPS?

Answer 8

1. prolonged and mulitfactorial
2. stellate ganglion blocks
3. corticosteroids
4. NSAIDs
5. Amitriptyline (for depression)
6. Baclofen

Question 9

What is the prognosis of CRPS?

Answer 9

varies from full recovery to residual dysfunction