Since 2014, the month of November is recognised as Colour the World Orange™ for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) awareness. CRPS is a painful and debilitating post-traumatic primary pain disorder. Clinical presentations vary enormously between patients, and a diagnosis is made using the Budapest criteria (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Budapest criteria. Taken from Goebel, A, Barker, C, Birklein, F, et al. Standards for the diagnosis and management of complex regional pain syndrome: Results of a European Pain Federation task force. Eur J Pain. 2019; 23: 641– 651. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejp.1362
Raising awareness for CRPS is crucial to improve early diagnosis, access to appropriate treatment, public understanding, and support for individuals living with this condition. It can ultimately lead to a better quality of life for those affected by CRPS and promote research into more effective treatments.
The Wide Spectrum Of Clinical CRPS Presentations: How can we best recognise this in our clinical practice?
Join us for a webinar to commemorate #CRPSAwarenessMonth where experts and patients will discuss the wide spectrum of CRPS presentations and also introduce you to CRPS Assist, a free online tool that can help clinicians identify patients with CRPS and decide what to do next. Register here.
The European Pain Federation have several resources to help assess and manage CRPS:
- The European Pain Federation convened a CRPS Task Force to support the development of best care for these patients through Europe. This produced 17 standards for the diagnosis and management of CRPS for use in Europe.
- The EFIC Academy Education Platform includes extensive content on the assessment and management for CRPS for physicians, physiotherapists, nurses, and psychologists. Learners will be able to pursue self-directed learning or follow specific tracks relevant to needs. Access is limited to Academy members only.
- The European Pain Federation EFIC created CRPS Assist, a web-based application for physiotherapists. The website aims to help in diagnosing and treating patients with Complex regional pain syndrome.
- The European Journal of Pain have published several interesting studies on CRPS recently. These include:
Early versus persistent Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Is there a difference in patient reported outcomes following rehabilitation?
What do I need to know? Essential educational concepts for complex regional pain syndrome
Glucocorticoid treatment in patients with complex regional pain syndrome: A systematic review
Complex regional pain syndrome what is the outcome? – a systematic review of the course and impact of CRPS at 12 months from symptom onset and beyond
Assessment of body perception disturbances in complex regional pain syndrome: A systematic review using the COSMIN guideline
Pain relief by movement representation strategies: An umbrella and mapping review with meta-meta-analysis of motor imagery, action observation and mirror therapy
