COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME
CRPS

AKA
Reflex Sympathetic
Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS)
Causalgia

SIGNS &
SYMPTOMS

1. SENSORY

3. SUDOMOTOR
OEDEMA

Increased sweating

  • Hyperidrosis
    Or
  • complete absence

2. VASOMOTOR

Radiographic

  • osteoporosis
    patchy

AETIOLOGY

Trauma

  • surgical
  • minor injury

overactivity

PROGRESS

Discomfort

frank pain

movement

pressure

2-8 weeks

Vasoconstriction

TREATMENT

  • early - onward referral
    specialist team
  • aggressive

Analgesia

Therapy

Medication

Pain

  • Hyperaesthesia - abnormal sensitivity
  • Burning
  • Allodynia - pain on light touch

Skin

  • cold - temperature asymmetry
  • shiny
  • white mottled
  • or bright red

Oedema

4. MOTOR
TROPHIC

ROM

  • decreased

Motor dysfunction

  • weakness
  • tremor/loss of tone
  • dystonia

Trophic changes

  • nail
  • hair
  • skin

DIFFERENTIAL
DIAGNOSIS