Complex Regional Pain Syndromes: Pathophysiological Mechanisms

2012 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Pathophysiological Mechanisms ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Regional Pain Syndromes ◽  
Complex Regional Pain Syndromes

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROMES

Hand Clinics ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-325
Author(s):  
Gilbert Y. Wong ◽  
Peter R. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Regional Pain Syndromes ◽  
Complex Regional Pain Syndromes

scholarly journals Complex Regional Pain Syndromes: Including “Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy” and “Causalgia”

1997 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Walker ◽  
M. J. Cousins
Keyword(s):  
Autonomic Dysfunction ◽  
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy ◽  
International Association ◽  
Scientific Data ◽  
Pain Clinic ◽  
Variable Component ◽  
Sympathetically Maintained Pain ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Regional Pain Syndromes ◽  
Complex Regional Pain Syndromes

“Reflex sympathetic dystrophy” and “causalgia” are now classified by the International Association for the Study of Pain as Complex Regional Pain Syndromes I and II. Sympathetically maintained pain is a frequent but variable component of these syndromes, as the sympathetic and somatosensory pathways are no longer functionally distinct. Pain is the cardinal feature of CRPS, but the constellation of symptoms and signs may also include sensory changes, autonomic dysfunction, trophic changes, motor impairment and psychological changes. Diagnosis is based on the clinical picture, with additional information regarding the presence of sympathetically maintained pain or autonomic dysfunction being provided by carefully performed and interpreted supplemental tests. Clinical experience supports early intervention with sympatholytic procedures (pharmacological or nerve block techniques), but further scientific data is required to confirm the appropriate timing and relative efficacy of different procedures. Patients with recurrent or refractory symptoms are best managed in a multi-disciplinary pain clinic as more invasive and intensive treatment will be required to minimize ongoing pain and disability.

Sympathetic contribution to pain – need for clarification

1997 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 487-489
Author(s):  
Helmut Blumberg ◽  
Ulrike Hoffman ◽  
Mohsen Mohadjer ◽  
Rudolf Scheremet
Keyword(s):  
Sympathetic System ◽  
Discharge Pattern ◽  
Sympathetic Block ◽  
Organ Function ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Regional Pain Syndromes ◽  
Complex Regional Pain Syndromes ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

Certain patients with a possible contribution of the sympathetic system to pain may not fit the definition of complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS), which raises the question of terminology for those patients. To further clarify the relationship between the sympathetic system and pain, apart from the need for placebo studies, there remains an urgent need for a satisfactory definition of the criteria for a complete sympathetic block. It also remains uncertain whether a change in the discharge pattern of sympathetic fibres underlies the changes in sympathetic organ function, often found in patients with CRPS.

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