Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome

Chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a relatively common diagnosis that causes severe pain out of proportion to the stimuli as well as physical changes which is most commonly seen in the upper extremity. The diagnosis of CRPS is made on a clinical basis using the Orlando or Budapest criteria, with imaging being used as an adjunct or to rule out other causes of pain. Treatment should be started as soon as possible using a multidisciplinary approach including physical therapy, psychological therapy, topical or oral medications, and/or procedural interventions for severe cases.