title: Complex regional pain syndrome: practical diagnostic and treatment guidelines, 4th edition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This is the fourth edition of diagnostic and treatment guidelines for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS; aka reflex sympathetic dystrophy).
  
  
  METHODS
  Expert practitioners in each discipline traditionally utilized in the treatment of CRPS systematically reviewed the available and relevant literature; due to the paucity of levels 1 and 2 studies, less rigorous, preliminary research reports were included. The literature review was supplemented with knowledge gained from extensive empirical clinical experience, particularly in areas where high-quality evidence to guide therapy is lacking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The research quality, clinical relevance, and "state of the art" of diagnostic criteria or treatment modalities are discussed, sometimes in considerable detail with an eye to the expert practitioner in each therapeutic area. Levels of evidence are mentioned when available, so that the practitioner can better assess and analyze the modality under discussion, and if desired, to personally consider the citations. Tables provide details on characteristics of studies in different subject domains described in the literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the humanitarian spirit of making the most of all current thinking in the area, balanced by a careful case-by-case analysis of the risk/cost vs benefit analysis, the authors offer these "practical" guidelines.
authors: Center for Pain Studies, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA. nharden@ric.org
authors: R Norman
authors: RN
authors: Harden
authors: Ann Louise
authors: AL
authors: Oaklander
authors: Allen W
authors: AW
authors: Burton
authors: Roberto S G M
authors: RS
authors: Perez
authors: Kathryn
authors: K
authors: Richardson
authors: Melanie
authors: M
authors: Swan
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Barthel
authors: Brienne
authors: B
authors: Costa
authors: Joseph R
authors: JR
authors: Graciosa
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Bruehl
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020918:Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D057173:Recreation Therapy; D012019:Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate