Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in the ambulatory surgical care setting

This article provides an historical synopsis from the 17th century to the present regarding the disease process known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) Type I. An overview of the disease symptoms, plausible theories, and a review of the pain cycle, relief measures, and a case scenario are reported. The focus of pain blockade was chosen because this was the intervention used in this particular case. The author presents the holistic standpoint of the importance of incorporating complementary alternative medical practices (CAMP) to enhance a positive outcome for this client.

-Based on the content of this article, the reader should be able to (1) distinguish the main characteristic between CRPS Type I (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) and CRPS Type II (causalgia); (2) identify symptoms related to CRPS Type I; and (3) identify the stages of CRPS and state potential interventions used in the treatment of CRPS Type I.