Paliatívna medicína a liečba bolesti 1/2008

COMPLEX REGIONAL PAIN SYNDROME

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic, painful, and progressive neurological condition. It affects skin, muscles, joints, and bones. The syndrome usually develops in an injured part of limb. The key symptom of CRPS is continuous, intense pain out of proportion to the severity of the injury. Typical features include changes in the color and temperature of the skin accompanied by skin sensitivity, sweating, and swelling. Diagnosis CRPS can be difficult, but early diagnosis and treatment is very important. This may prevent the disease from progressing. Treatment is aimed at relieving painful symptoms by analgesics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, corticosteroids and opioids. Other treatments may include physical therapy, sympathetic nerve block, spinal cord stimulation and psychotherapy.

Keywords: complex regional pain syndrome, sympathetic nervous system, pharmacotherapy, invasive treatment, rehabilitation.