Complex regional pain syndrome underdiagnosed.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type 1 may be diagnosed by history and physical exam with no further testing. Several different diagnostic criteria have undergone validity testing: the 1993 IASP criteria, Bruehl's criteria, and Veldman's criteria; there is no compelling reason to recommend 1 set of criteria over the others. Some cases of CRPS type 1 may be preventable. Some cases of CRPS type 1 in post-stroke upper extremity hemiplegia (also known as shoulder-hand syndrome) may be prevented by early inpatient rehabilitation and avoidance of shoulder trauma to the affected arm. Some cases of post-fracture CRPS type 1 may be prevented with 500 mg vitamin C daily started upon diagnosis of fracture and continued through healing.
Quisel
Anna
A
Family Medicine Center, 1401 Foulk Road, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA. bretandanna@comcast.net
Gill
James M
JM
Witherell
Peter
P
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010808:Physical Examination; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis*