Advances in treatment of complex regional pain syndrome: recent insights on a perplexing disease.
OBJECTIVE
The paper is a critical appraisal of recent advances in the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome. Rapidly changing concepts related to the pathophysiology of this disease has transformed its current management and necessitates an updated review of the literature.


RESULTS
Chronic regional pain syndrome is a perplexing disease that continues to challenge researchers with respect to its cause and treatment. Recent modification to diagnostic criteria has enabled clinicians to diagnose this disease in a more consistent fashion. Emerging data indicate a possible role of inflammation in the overall pathophysiology and have led to treatment trials with newer anti-inflammatory medications. Certain 'conventional' interventional techniques have been recently scrutinized. A few novel therapeutic options like graded imagery are also outlined.


CONCLUSIONS
Enhanced insight into the pathophysiology of chronic regional pain syndrome has modified current clinical practice and the focus of research. Certain 'standard' therapeutic options for chronic regional pain syndrome have failed the test of time while others have prevailed. New options have recently been evaluated and have shown promising early results. Knowledge of recent advances in chronic regional pain syndrome will help pain physicians provide optimal care to these patients.
Sharma
Amit
A
Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA. amit1881@hotmail.com
Williams
Kayode
K
Raja
Srinivasa N
SN
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction / Q000379:methods; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block; D002116:Calcitonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020918:Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D010147:Pain Measurement; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013116:Spinal Cord; D013562:Sympathectomy
D000700:Analgesics; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D002116:Calcitonin