Posttraumatic Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a painful condition that most often affects limbs. Upper extremity is affected more frequently than lower extremity. The character of the pain is continuing, spontaneous, usually burning and unexpectedly severe pain considering any inciting cause. Pain does not follow the anatomical distribution of a peripheral nerve. Diagnosis is still clinical. The precipitating causes have been fractures, surgery, prolonged immobilization, nerve lesions etc. The symptoms and signs of CRPS may be difficult to recognize because of similarities in the normal early phase posttraumatic or postoperative findings. Therefore it is important to remember to suspect CRPS, if severe pain continues. Physiotherapy is the cornerstone and the first line treatment with adequate pain medication.