Wesleyhandcentre.com.au

Fact Sheet: Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome
What is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) or
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
This is a chronic pain syndrome that can occur after an injury, surgery, a stroke or heart attack. It is an abnormally severe and / or prolonged manifestation of a normal post-injury response.
The following features are usually present: This is always present and usually out of proportion to the original injury. This may be burning or shooting or the hand may be sensitive to touch, pressure or light movement.
• CIRCULATION
The limb may be pale, appear blue or red or may be hot or cold. There may be abnormal sweating.
• SWELLING
May be present or the skin may be shiny.
• STIFFNESS
Occurs due to decreased muscle strength or secondary to lack of movement due to pain.
There is no correlation between the severity of the injury and RSD developing. The injury / surgery causes nerves to become sensitive to signals which they do not usually respond eg. light touch may cause excruciating pain.
The sympathetic nerves are not the usual nerves for feeling pain or sensation. They control sweating and colour changes in the skin. In RSD there is often an abnormal firing of these nerves secondary to the injury. RSD can affect a single digit, a single nerve distribution or an entire limb.
RSD is initiated by trauma to a limb and can be made worse by post-traumatic events eg. tight casts or acute carpal tunnel syndrome.
Fractures of the distal radius and ulna are the most common injuries producing RSD. Traumatic or surgical injury to a cutaneous nerve may precipitate RSD or it may occur following surgery for Dupuytren’s disease.
The literature does not support a psychological causation. Cigarette smoking is statistical y linked to RSD.
Demographics :
The majority of patients are between 30 and 55 years of age (average 45 years). Women are affected three times more commonly than men. Cigarette smoking is statistically linked to RSD.
80% of patients with RSD diagnosed within I year of injury will improve significantly. However, 50% of patients with untreated symptoms lasting for more than 1 year will have profound residual impairment.
Investigations
X-rays and / or bone scans may be useful in some cases.
Fact Sheet: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
Treatment
• Physiotherapy – this is an essential part of the treatment of RSD. Early active motion of the
affected joints is the goal.
“Scrub and carry” programme – stress loading which involves applying weight to the hand while performing an activity eg using a scrubbing brush or carrying a bucket of water or bag in the affected hand.
No passive exercise at al is al owed by anyone except the patient. Heat or ice packs may be helpful but extremes of temperature should be avoided. Deep friction massage may also be helpful.
• Splinting – this is an important part of treatment especially in the hand. Splints are used to
prevent contracture formation and maintain a balanced hand.
• (Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation) or TENS – electrodes placed on the skin produce
cutaneous tingling and can help to block pain transmission.
• Blocks – injections around the nerves supplying the hand or leg may temporarily block the
pain signals these nerves are sending. Injections in the neck may also block these pain signals. Three or four such blocks may be required.
• Drugs – The aim is to break the pain cycle and reduce the inflammation. Pain killers and
anti-inflammatories like Voltaren or Celebrex are used. Antidepressant medications such as Tryptanol can be used. These act on the nerves to dampen the signals they are processing.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Psychologists are able to help patients by offering ways
of coping with the pain and teaching patients relaxation methods. CBT is used to improve skills in the management of stressful situations. A positive outlook and approach can help the patient’s recovery.
• Surgery – This is occasionally indicated in the presence of a chronic painful lesion in an
extremity eg. a documented carpal tunnel syndrome or a painful neuroma. This will usually be performed under a nerve block.
The Vicious Cycle of RSD
Prognosis
The condition may take several months to years to settle down. Approximately 75% will return to normal or near-normal. About 15% have moderate permanent disability and about 10% have severe permanent disability.
50% of patients with untreated symptoms lasting for more than 1 year will have profound residual

Source: http://www.wesleyhandcentre.com.au/pdf/chronic-regional-pain-syndrome.pdf