CONTINUOUS SENSORY ANALGESIA HELPS THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS AND THE TREATMENT OF COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME (CRPS/RSD)

Abstract

Background. CRPS/RSD still offers more questionsthen answers. The initial events and pathophysiology are unknown,the treatment is unsuccessful and the results are poor.The authors have transmitted their experiences with continuoussensory analgesia of brachial plexus in the treatment ofheavy injured hands to the treatment of CRPS. Efficient analgesia,control of vegetative nerve system and painless exercisesare of outmost importance in the treatment of CRPS.Patients and methods. From 1996 to 1998 we have used continuoussensory analgesia in the treatment of 8 patients withCRPS of the upper extremity. All of them were treated fewmonths after injury.Results. Two to four years after treatment six of eight havebeen ranged as good result (only temporary pain judged onsubjective pain scale as 2; ROM of wrist higher than 50%of normal, lack of 30° of ROM of fingers; hand and key gripgreater than 50% of normal hand).

Keywords

• continuous sensory analgesia
• CRPS I
• RSD
• Sudeck