As a matter of fact, a complex regional pain syndrome, often abbreviated as CRPS can develop with immobility following an injury or when a nerve is injured. Indeed, when there is a lot of pain, which restricts movements the stage is set for a CRPS to develop. Frequently, by early reactivation treatment these syndromes can largely be avoided. Certainly, they can be very devastating and can cause the most excruciating pains that I can think of.
Misconceptions about complex regional pain syndrome
Unfortunately there are still many misconceptions about these pain syndromes that researchers have thoroughly investigated. Type I CRPS or reflex sympathetic disease (=RSD), as it used to be called, occurs about 2 or 3 months after an injury where the patient gets prolonged casting done (prolonged immobilization) or where a patient will not remobilize a limb because of a low pain threshold. It is in that period of immobilization that the sympathetic nervous system redistributes blood into deeper structures including bone. As a result bone demineralization takes place leading to osteoporosis and bone pain after a few months. The joint capsules shrink and the range of motion is significantly decreased. Given these points the muscle strength is disproportionately weak and shooting pains occur randomly.
Multidisciplinary team to treat chronic pain syndrome
In this case the pain is often more localized, but injections and physiotherapy might not be too successful. A referral to a pain specialist would be desirable (Ref. 2, p. 2073). In these cases a multidisciplinary team (through a pain clinic) defines the pain and treats it according to the patient’s needs with a combination therapy. Part of this often is medication involving gabapentin. Pain researchers found that gabapentin (brand name: Neurontin) blocks certain pain receptors, which blocks perception of pain. It is possible to decrease bone loss with bone-loss medications, such as risedronate (Actonel) or calcitonin (Miacalcin). Along with antidepressants and the use of cognitive therapy methods it is possible to live with the pain and return to some form of daily functioning including a return to suitable work (Ref. 5).
Activity to prevent chronicity
Overall, even the light touch of a bed sheet is leading to excruciating pain (called”allodynia” type pain). Obviously the negative cycle of pain and inactivity causes more severe pain and inactivity. In any event, only active physiotherapy will help to prevent this CRPS from becoming chronic. In the final analysis, there is only a window of opportunity of 2 or 3 months after the start of a CRPS where therapeutic intervention can turn everything around and lead to a successful resolution. Sometimes a consultation with a pain specialist is necessary on a short-term basis. At this instant the specialist may do a sympathetic nerve block or an epidural injection in an attempt to reverse the pain process.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
With CRPS,type II (by the name “causalgia” in the past) there is an underlying direct nerve damage either through a contusion injury to the nerve from outside or due to an internal cut from a the bone splinter of a fracture.
References
1.The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999. Chapter 49.
2. Goldman: Cecil Textbook of Medicine, 21st ed.(©2000)W.B.Saunders
3. Ferri: Ferri’s Clinical Advisor: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment, 2004 ed., Copyright © 2004 Mosby, Inc.
4. Rakel: Conn’s Current Therapy 2004, 56th ed., Copyright © 2004 Elsevier
5. Dr. Stephen Clarke, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Div. of Neurology of the University of BC/Vancouver/Canada, reviewed the use of gabapentin at the 50th Annual St. Paul’s Hospital Continuing Medical Education Conference for Primary Physicians, Nov. 16 – 19, 2004
6. Suzanne Somers: “Breakthrough” Eight Steps to Wellness– Life-altering Secrets from Today’s Cutting-edge Doctors”, Crown Publishers, 2008
