title: Algodystrophy (CRPS) in minor orthopedic surgery.
abstract: Algodystrophy or Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a painful disorder that develops especially at upper or lower extremities of the limbs after a fracture. This syndrome is probably due to bone microvascular changes with subsequent sympathetic nervous system involvement. The pain that characterizes CRPS is spontaneous, disproportionate to the traumatic event and is associated with hyperalgesia, and a variety of autonomic and trophic disorders. This condition has a variable incidence up to 37% of the cases, increasing along with the severity of the fracture. CRPS has a higher chance of developing in women, in older individuals, in smokers, and in patients with reduced bone strength. Early diagnosis is associated with remission in 80-90% of cases. Since the typical onset of the disease is insidious over 2 weeks after surgery, a diagnostic and therapeutic delay may occur. These are the major causes of a high percentage of chronic and disabling complications leading to impaired functional outcomes. In the acute or subacute phase, infusion of bisphosphonates has proven to be the first-choice of treatment with a high percentage of remissions. Moreover, it has been suggested the utility of vitamin C in prevention of CRPS. Furthermore, in the chronic phase electroanalgesia seems to provide promising results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences, Sports Trauma Researches Center, State University of Milan c/o 1st Division of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Orthopedic Center Pini CTO - ASST Gaetano Pini, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Costantino
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Corradini
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Surgical and Dental Sciences, Sports Trauma Researches Center, State University of Milan c/o 1st Division of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Orthopedic Center Pini CTO - ASST Gaetano Pini, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bosizio
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties and Dentistry, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antimo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moretti
keywords: chronic pain; complex regional pain syndrome; orthopedics; therapy