|Slideshows|September 29, 2021

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: 11 Questions on Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment

Complex regional pain syndrome is often a medical challenge. Try this in-depth quiz on the etiology, the differential diagnosis, and most effective therapies.

Pain associated with complex regional pain syndrome, or CRPS, can range from moderate to disabling and clinical outcomes are highly variable. The diagnosis remains a clinical one and is based on a detailed examination and patient history conducted by a physician such as a physiatrist or neurologist. There is no specific test used to confirm CRPS.

The original injury preceding the pain and some signs and symptoms seen more often in patients with CRPS than in other pain syndromes may should raise suspicion for the disorder; once diagnosed, however, the treatment course will be highly individual.

The quiz questions that follow are based on the most current research on diagnosis and treatment. Find out what you know, and what you may want to know more about.

Sources/Resources

Atkinson A. Unraveling the complex regional pain syndrome enigma. Pain Med. 2020;21:225-229.

Bharwani KD, Dirckx M, Huygen FJM. Complex regional pain syndrome: diagnosis and treatment. BJA Education. 2017;17:262-268.

Harden RN, Oaklander AL, Burton AW, et al. Complex regional pain syndrome: practical diagnostic and treatment guidelines, 4th edition. Pain Med. 2013;14:180-229.

Mesaroli G, Hundert A, Birnie, et al. Screening and diagnostic tools for complex regional pain syndrome. Pain. 2021; 162:1295-1304

Enhance your clinical practice with the Patient Care newsletter, offering the latest evidence-based guidelines, diagnostic insights, and treatment strategies for primary care physicians.

Subscribe Now!

Latest CME

Multimedia

Burst CME™: Optimizing Migraine Management – Addressing Unmet Needs, Individualizing Care for Diverse Populations, and Utilizing CGRP Targeted Agents

Jessica Ailani, MD, FAHS, FAAN; Paul G. Mathew, MD, DNBPAS, FAAN, FAHS

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: 11 Questions on Etiology, Diagnosis, Treatment

Newsletter

Related Content

Elinzanetant Improves Sleep Through VMS-Independent Mechanisms, According to New Pooled Analysis

Black Women Prescribed Menopausal Hormone Therapy at Significantly Lower Rates Despite More Severe Symptoms, Study Finds

Age, Not Menopause Stage, Drives Cortical Volume Reduction in Midlife Women, New Study Suggests

Study Finds Atypical MI Causes More Frequent in Women Aged Under 65: Daily Dose

New Large-Scale Study Challenges Previous Research on Menopause and Brain Structure

Latest CME

Burst CME™: Optimizing Migraine Management – Addressing Unmet Needs, Individualizing Care for Diverse Populations, and Utilizing CGRP Targeted Agents

(COPE) Optimizing Management of Ocular Toxicity in Cancer Patients: The Role of Ophthalmologists in the Spectrum of Care

PER Psych Summit: Integrating Shared Decision-Making Into Management Plans for Patients With Schizophrenia

Virtual Tumor Board for the Onco-Nurse: Improving Outcomes in SCLC Treatment and AE Management

Patient, Provider, and Caregiver Connection™: Pediatric Myasthenia Gravis—Current Treatment and Emerging Concepts

Expert Illustrations and Commentaries™: The Role of the Paracellular Pathway in the Management of Hyperphosphatemia in CKD

Advances In: Managing Hyperphosphatemia in Chronic Kidney Disease – Bridging Treatment Gaps With Novel Therapies

Addressing Pivotal Updates in AML – Expert Perspectives on Individualizing Management for Special Populations

Burst CME™ Part 3: Initiating Early Intervention in Patients With Glaucoma Who Fail Pharmacological Therapy

Advances In™: Taking R/R B-Cell ALL Management to the Next Level With New CAR T Approval

Innovations in MDS Care: Navigating New Treatment Paradigms, Breakthrough Therapies, and Emerging Clinical Evidence

Cases & Conversations™: Integrating Novel Approaches to Treatment in First-line ALK+ mNSCLC – Enhancing Patient Outcomes with Real World Multidisciplinary Strategies

Mind Moments™: Optimizing Management for Patients with Generalized Myasthenia Gravis

Transforming Treatment in Small Cell Lung Cancer: How Recent Trials Are Shaping Treatment Decision-Making and Future Therapies

Burst CME™: Stratifying Therapy Sequencing for LGSOC and Evaluating the Unmet Needs of the Standard of Care

Interventional Glaucoma Treatment: Evolving Paradigms for Addressing Unmet Needs

Cases and Conversations™: Navigating the Complexities of Managing Myasthenia Gravis in Pediatric and Pregnant Patient Populations

Identifying and Treating CIDP in the Modern Era

Cases and Conversations™: Little Voices, Big Challenges – Comprehensive Care for Pediatric Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Burst CME™: Addressing Inadequate Response to Anti-TNF Therapy in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dermalorian™ Webinar: Shedding Light on Patient-Reported Outcomes to Assess Disease Severity in Patients With Atopic Dermatitis

Community Practice Connections™: Cases and Conversations – Keeping Up with Novel Approaches to Managing ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

(COPE Credit) Community Practice Connections™: Applying Advances in Neovascular Retinal Disease - Expanding Treatment Intervals & Enhancing Outcomes

Tackling Inequities in IBD: Inclusive Solutions for Elevated Patient Care

(CME Track) Neurotrophic Keratitis in Focus – From Early Recognition to Strategic Intervention

(COPE Track) Neurotrophic Keratitis in Focus – From Early Recognition to Strategic Intervention

Addressing Racial Disparities in Multiple Myeloma: Forging a Path Towards Health Equity in Clinical Trials and Everyday Practice

(CME Track) Leveraging Rho Kinase Inhibition in Glaucoma Management — How Can Novel Treatment Pathways Impact Patient Outcomes?

Where Do Biologics Fit Into the Management of Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis?

Evolving Strategies and Emerging Agents in PTCL: Subtypes, Mutations, and Modern Therapies

Community Practice Connections™: Community Oncologists’ Role in Selecting Optimal Oral SERD Treatment for HR+/HER2- Breast Cancer

Burst CME™: Exploring Diagnosis and Testing Innovations for Targetable Mutations in SCLC

Burst CME™: Addressing Diagnostic Challenges and Identifying Targets for Treatment in LCNEC-L

Community Practice Connections™: 21st Annual Meeting of the International Society of Gastrointestinal Oncology

Medical Crossfire®: Optimal Approaches to Evaluating and Addressing Pain in the Patient With Sickle Cell Disease

Burst CME™: Advanced Diagnostic and Testing Approaches for Mutation-Targetable Management of NSCLC

Collaborating Across the Continuum®: Identifying and Treating Epithelioid Sarcoma

Real Psychiatry 2026

2nd Annual Hawaii Cancer Conference

EnVision Summit

22nd Annual International Symposium on Melanoma and Other Cutaneous Malignancies®

30th Annual International Congress on Hematologic Malignancies®: Focus on Leukemias, Lymphomas, and Myeloma

43rd Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference®

Stabilize and Thrive: Prioritizing Patient Success Through Novel Therapeutic Management in Schizophrenia

Upstate New York Hematology & Hematologic Oncology Conference: A Review of the 67th ASH Annual Meeting

17th Annual International Symposium on Ovarian Cancer and Other Gynecologic Malignancies™

Interventional Glaucoma: The Convergence of Surgical Innovation and Therapeutic Hope

SimulatED™: Understanding the Role of Genetic Testing in Patient Selection for Anti-Amyloid Therapy

Burst CME™: Optimizing the Use of CGRP Targeted Agents for the Treatment of Migraine

Unlocking the Future of Glioma Care: Integrating Recent Advances to Personalize Treatment

Southern Florida Psychiatry Conference

(CME Track) Burst CME™ Part 1: Insights Into Glaucoma and the Need for Early Intervention

Homing in on the Role of PSMA in Prostate Cancer – Harnessing the Power of Precision Medicine Through Imaging and Therapy to Individualize Treatment Plans

Burst CME™: Implementing Appropriate Recognition and Diagnosis of Low-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

Burst CME™: Understanding Novel Advances in LGSOC—A Focus on New Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Trials

Breast Cancer Symposia in San Antonio

23rd Annual Winter Lung Cancer Conference®

Burst CME™: The Patient Journey – Unmet Needs From Diagnosis Through Management of Migraine

Community Practice Connections™: Transforming Treatment in nAMD, DME, and DR – Keeping an Eye on Optimal Outcomes

Raising Our Game in the Management of Hyperlipidemia: New Targets, New Tactics

Medical Crossfire®: New Horizons in Hemolytic Anemias – How I Diagnose & Treat Based on Individual Patient and Disease Characteristics

Tackling Inequities in IBD: Inclusive Solutions for Elevated Patient Care

Cases and Conversations™: Applying Best Practices to Prevent Shingles in Your Practice

Expert Perspectives on Technological Advances in Cataract Surgery

‘REEL’ Time Patient Counseling™: Fostering Effective Conversations in Practice to Create a Visible Impact for Patients Living with Genital Psoriasis

Clinical Consultations™: Addressing Elevated Phosphate Levels in Patients with END-STAGE Kidney Disease (ESKD)

PER® Liver Cancer Tumor Board: How Do Evolving Data for Immune-Based Strategies in Resectable and Unresectable HCC Impact Multidisciplinary Patient Management Today… and Tomorrow?

Collaborative Care Symposium

Medical Crossfire®: Integrating Real-World Data to Improve Outcomes for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

(MOC and CME Credit) New Frontiers in Immunotherapy for SCLC: Insights From Latest Clinical Trials and Their Application in Real-World Treatment

Evolving Perspectives in Alzheimer Disease : Reaching an Earlier Diagnosis, Understanding Neuroinflammation, and Exploring Therapeutic Advances