Previously known as Sudeck’s Dystrophy or Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, it can mimic the inflammatory arthritides (or the other way round), or coexist even. Treatment, as in the inflammatory arthritides, is more effective when instituted early.
The neurocognitive effects of 5 day anesthetic Ketamine for the treatment of refractory CRPS
The Effects of Long-Term Ketamine Treatment on Cognitive Function in CRPS
This is an oral Zoledronic Acid, used intravenously to treat Osteoporosis and cancers metastatic to bone. I wonder how they drew the connection to CRPS.
CRPS was previously thought to be a psychosomatic disorder (imaginary), owing to its frequent association with psychological symptoms like depression, anxiety, and hypersensitive pain responses. It was attributed to post-traumatic catastrophizing.
However, research has since debunked that. That it is accompanied by physical changes like joint swelling and stiffness, and skin colour and temperature changes, helps. The psychological overlay then is more likely to be consequential to the chronic pain and disability, rather than causal.
Nevertheless, the mental state plays an important role in pain perception and functional status, in not only CRPS, but many other rheumatic diseases as well. The neuroimmunoendocrine interaction is an important emerging field in scientific inquiry. This article examines the all-important Placebo effect in clinical trials and practice.