Pain and lymphoedema: a challenging combination

This article is a case study of a 26-year-old woman with stage III lymphoedema, secondary to complex regional pain syndrome. Progressive limb swelling, pain, limited mobility and skin breakdown, including open wounds, led to consideration of amputation. However, following an intensive period of conservative, interdisciplinary, multimodal treatment, including compression wraps, limb volume was significantly reduced, pain was better managed, and amputation was avoided. This case demonstrates that with coordinated care, even severe complex regional pain syndrome-associated lymphoedema can be effectively managed.