Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a Manifestation of the Worsened Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Case Review

Abstract

Complex regional pain syndrome is a severe chronic pain condition. Its diagnosis to date is controversial. Effects of various treatment methods also remain controversial with unpredictable outcomes. The author experienced a case of complex regional pain syndrome type 2 which was cured by sympathetic blockade and myofascial trigger point injection. Afterwards, the author focused on myofascial trigger points for the management of CRPS and the results were successful in almost all the cases. Through the review of complex regional pain syndrome cases those were successfully treated, the author tried to figure out pathologic mechanism, methods of treatment, and diagnostic criteria of complex regional pain syndrome.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome of the Foot and Ankle: Treatment at the Early Onset with an Anesthetic Ankle Block

“…No matter the determination of the syndrome type, treatment for CRPS is the same. It includes physical therapy; anti-inflammatory, neuropathic (i.e., gabapentin), biophosphonates, the antioxidant ascorbic acid and/or narcotic medication; and sympathetic nerve blocks or continuous regional anesthesia or trigger point injections (1,5,(12)(13)(14). In the late stages, other treat-ments include implantation of a spinal cord stimulator, sympathectomy, or controversially-amputation of the limb (3,(15)(16)(17)(18).…”