Complex regional pain syndrome: diagnosis and treatment

Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2014 May;25(2):291-303. doi: 10.1016/j.pmr.2014.01.003. Epub 2014 Mar 14.

Abstract

This article discusses the diagnostic criteria, clinical course, and complications of complex regional pain syndrome. Multidisciplinary treatment including physical and occupational therapy, psychological evaluation and treatment, pharmacologic management, and more aggressive options including sympathetic blocks, sympathectomy, and spinal cord stimulation are also reviewed.

Keywords: Complex regional pain syndrome; Neuropathic pain syndromes; Reflex sympathetic dystrophy sympathetic nerve block; Spinal cord stimulation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / therapeutic use*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / administration & dosage*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / methods
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / diagnosis*
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / therapy*
  • Electric Stimulation Therapy / methods
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nerve Block / methods
  • Norepinephrine / therapeutic use
  • Pain Management / methods*
  • Pain Measurement
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Norepinephrine