Complex regional pain syndrome natural history, complications and prognosis

Good progress can be made in treating complex regional pain syndrome if treatment is started early on. Beginning treatment early may even result in remission. If treatment is delayed, however, the disorder can quickly spread to the entire limb, and changes in the bone and muscle may become irreversible.

• Loss of muscle size or strength in the affected limb
• Spread of the disease to another part of the body
• Worsening of the affected limb

Complications can also occur with some of the nerve and surgical treatments.

Good progress can be made in treating CRPS if treatment is begun early, ideally within 3 months of the first symptoms. Early treatment may even result in remission. Detailed assessment for an underlying perpetrator and addressing those factors that impact blood flow and never recovery can have a tremendous clinical impact. If treatment is delayed, however, the disorder can quickly spread to the entire limb and changes in bone and muscle may become irreversible. In 50 percent of CRPS cases, pain persists longer than 6 months and sometimes for years. In teens and younger patients with CRPS, the prognosis is excellent. Even without invasive therapy, upwards of 75% of children have full recovery with virtually 100% of the patients having marked improvement. The prognosis is not always good. The limb, or limbs, can experience muscle atrophy, loss of use and functionally useless parameters that require amputation.

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