title: Complex regional pain syndrome.
abstract: The term "complex regional pain syndrome" encompasses causalgia and reflex sympathetic dystrophy. Symptoms of burning pain with autonomic and tissue changes begin shortly after an injury, usually to a distal extremity. The diagnosis is based on the history and the clinical findings. No confirmatory tests are available, although plain radiographs or a three-phase bone scan may be helpful in diagnosing some cases. Aggressive treatment, which may include sympathetic blockade, medications, physical therapy and psychotherapy, is essential for a favorable outcome. Despite treatment, many patients are left with varying degrees of chronic pain and disability.
authors.affiliation: Sister Kenny Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Pittman
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Belgrade
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002422:Causalgia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D013577:Syndrome