CRPS Flashcards
Previously known as
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Definition and distinguishing features
Chronic neuropathic pain follows limb injury
Pain lasts longer than expected and disproportionate in time and degree to course of trauma
Abnormal sensory, motor, pseudomotor, vasomotor, and trophic changes
CRPS most commonly related to injuries including
crush injury, distal radius fracture, tibial fracture, traumatic peripheral nerve injuries
Other associations:
immobilization > 28 days, smokers, pre-existing fibromyalgia, stressful life event
Warm CRPS subtype
Warm, dry
red
edematous
short duration 4-5mo
Cold CPRS subtype
Cold, blue
sweaty
less edematous
chronic, noninflammatory features
up to 20mo duration
Type I vs Type II
Type I: no major nerve damage, pain triggered by soft tissue or bony injury not associated with identifiable nerve injury d/t crush, immob, amputation, MI, stroke, cancer
Type II: major nerve damage direct or or complete
Most common type
Type II, no nerve damage, females 3x higher, UE 2x > LE
unusual increased or altered sensitivity to sensory stimuli
hyperesthesia
increased sensitivity to pain, disproportionate compared to uninvolved side E.g. pin prick intended to cause discomfort is really painful
hyperalgesia
condition in which ordinarily non-painful stimuli evokes pain E.g. deep pressure or light touch is painful
Allodynia
vasomotor changes
skin color, temp changes
sudomotor changes
edema, swelling, sweating
trophic changes
nail growth altered, hair growth loss, glossy skin
CPRS diagnostic criteria
-Signs: 1 sign in 2 or more categories: sensory, vasomotor, sudomotor, motor/trophic
-Symptoms: 3/4 symptoms in categories: sensory, vasomotor, sudomotor, motor/trophic
-Continuing pain disproportionate to inciting events
