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Treatment Algorithm for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

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Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

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Abstract

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a painful, debilitating, and disabling condition that can be categorized into three diagnostic subtypes, based on the clinical presentation. Diagnosing this condition remains a challenge, but has been aided by improvements in diagnostic criteria and availability of different investigation modalities. Surgery and fractures are common inciting events, although the underlying mechanisms by which these trigger and propagate CRPS are unclear. Various treatments have been implicated but the lack of good quality evidence available is an issue. Current recommendations advocate for conservative measures involving physiotherapy and pharmacological pain relief as first-line treatment. As our understanding continues to grow, so too will our ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat this condition. Given the complex nature of CRPS, it is likely that a combination of different treatment modalities will be required to successfully manage this condition.

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Author notes

  1. En Lin Goh and Swathikan Chidambaram contributed equally with all other contributors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Oxford Trauma, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences (NDORMS), Kadoorie Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK

    En Lin Goh

  2. Department of Surgery and Cance, Imperial College London, London, UK

    Swathikan Chidambaram

  3. Division of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK

    Daqing Ma

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  1. En Lin Goh
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  2. Swathikan Chidambaram
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  3. Daqing Ma
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Correspondence to Daqing Ma .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lexington Medical Center, Interventional Pain Management, Lexington Brain and Spine Institute, Lexington, SC, USA

    Erin F. Lawson

  2. University of California, San Diego, Center for Pain Medicine and Medical Director of PM&R,, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Joel P. Castellanos

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Goh, E.L., Chidambaram, S., Ma, D. (2021). Treatment Algorithm for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. In: Lawson, E.F., Castellanos, J.P. (eds) Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-75373-3_12

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