Preemptive analgesia in elective surgery in patients with complex regional pain syndrome: a case report

Complex regional pain syndrome type II localized to the index finger. A case report translating scientific evidence into clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Complex regional pain syndrome type II (CRPS-II) is a rare condition associated with peripheral nervous system lesions. Its localized distribution in the fingers is unique, and its treatment is unclear.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 56-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a saw-cut index finger injury with associated tendon and nerve injuries. After surgery, he was admitted to physical therapy (PT) with persistent pain, joint stiffness, allodynia, and trophic changes compatible with CRPS-II localized in the index finger. The diagnosis was confirmed after applying the Budapest Criteria, and PT was progressive and individualized according to the patient's needs, including graded motor imagery, mobilizations, exercises, and education.

OUTCOMES

After 12 weeks of PT, a clinically significant decrease in pain intensity and improvements in mobility and index finger and upper limb functionality was observed, reducing CRPS symptomatology.

DISCUSSION

This report provides information about a unique case of a localized form of CRPS-II. After reviewing the literature on clinical cases of both CRPS-II and localized forms of CRPS, we highlight that the clinical features of this patient and his positive therapeutic response support the importance of translating the scientific evidence on CRPS into clinical practice.

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management of Painful Scar: A Narrative Review

Painful scars can develop after surgery or trauma, with symptoms ranging from a minor itch to intractable allodynia. The problem of the painful scar may involve both intraneural and extraneural structures, requiring a systematic approach to diagnosis and treatment of this neuropathic pain condition that can impact quality of life and function profoundly. In this review, we outline the algorithm for the diagnosis, management, medical and surgical treatment of painful scars.

Scar neuromas as triggers for headache after craniotomy: clinical evidence

We present four cases of headache with variable intensity, located in close proximity to a craniotomy incision which was performed for non-traumatic reasons. Since manual palpation of the scar often triggers pain, and infiltration with local anesthetics reduce or abolish the pain in some patients, we suggest that neuromas or nerve entrapment in the scars, as a result of the surgery, are responsible for headaches. Although local infiltrations or nerve blocks are often used for diagnostic reasons, herein we consider that they are also of therapeutic value. We review the current known pathophysiology of post-craniotomy headaches and present a hypothesis suggesting a greater recognition of the potential contribution of neuroma formation in areas of scars tissue to contribute to this kind of headache.

CRPS of the upper or lower extremity: surgical treatment outcomes

The hypothesis is explored that CRPS I (the "new" RSD) persists due to undiagnosed injured joint afferents, and/or cutaneous neuromas, and/or nerve compressions, and is, therefore, a misdiagnosed form of CRPS II (the "new" causalgia). An IRB-approved, retrospective chart review on a series of 100 consecutive patients with "RSD" identified 40 upper and 30 lower extremity patients for surgery based upon their history, physical examination, neurosensory testing, and nerve blocks. Based upon decreased pain medication usage and recovery of function, outcome in the upper extremity, at a mean of 27.9 months follow-up (range of 9 to 81 months), gave results that were excellent in 40% (16 of 40 patients), good in 40% (16 of 40 patients) and failure 20% (8 of 40 patients). In the lower extremity, at a mean of 23.0 months follow-up (range of 9 to 69 months) the results were excellent in 47% (14 of 30 patients), good in 33% (10 of 30 patients) and failure 20% (6 of 30 patients). It is concluded that most patients referred with a diagnosis of CRPS I have continuing pain input from injured joint or cutaneous afferents, and/or nerve compressions, and, therefore, similar to a patient with CRPS II, they can be treated successfully with an appropriate peripheral nerve surgical strategy.

Recurrent postoperative CRPS I in patients with abnormal preoperative sympathetic function

PURPOSE

A complex regional pain syndrome of an extremity that has previously resolved can recur after repeat surgery at the same anatomic site. Complex regional pain syndrome is described as a disease of the autonomic nervous system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate preoperative and postoperative sympathetic function and the recurrence of complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I) in patients after repeat carpal tunnel surgery.

METHODS

Thirty-four patients who developed CRPS I after initial carpal tunnel releases and required repeat open carpal tunnel surgeries were studied. Laser Doppler imaging (LDI) was used to assess preoperative sympathetic function 5-7 days prior to surgery and to assess postoperative sympathetic function 19-22 days after surgery or 20-22 days after resolution of the CRPS I. Sympathetic nervous system function was prospectively examined by testing reflex-evoked vasoconstrictor responses to sympathetic stimuli recorded with LDI of both hands. Patients were assigned to 1 of 2 groups based on LDI responses to sympathetic provocation. Group I (11 of 34) patients had abnormal preoperative LDI studies in the hands that had prior surgeries, whereas group II (23 of 34) patients had normal LDI studies. Each patient in this study had open repeat carpal tunnel surgery.

RESULTS

In group I, 8 of 11 patients had recurrent CRPS I, whereas in group II, 3 of 23 patients had recurrent CRPS I. All of the recurrent CRPS I patients were successfully treated with sympathetic blockade, occupational therapy, and pharmacologic modalities. Repeat LDI after recurrent CRPS I resolution was abnormal in 8 of 8 group I patients and in 1 of 3 group II patients.

CONCLUSIONS

CRPS I can recur after repeat hand surgery. Our study results may, however, identify those individuals who may readily benefit from perioperative therapies.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic I.

The Incidence of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome After Fasciectomy for Dupuytren’s Contracture: A Prospective Observational Study of Four Anesthetic Techniques: Retracted

The development of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is not an uncommon complication after Dupuytren's surgery. Despite increasing research interest, little is known regarding which patients are at increased risk for developing CRPS and what is the optimal perioperative treatment strategy for preventing the occurrence of this disease after surgery. We prospectively evaluated the use of four anesthetic techniques (general anesthesia, axillary block, and IV regional anesthesia [IVRA] with lidocaine with or without clonidine) for patients undergoing fasciectomy for Dupuytren's contracture. All patients were followed in the Pain Management Center at 1, 3, and 12 mo postoperatively by a blinded physician to evaluate the presence of CRPS. Significantly (P < 0.01) more patients developed postoperative CRPS in the general anesthesia group (n = 25; 24%) and the IVRA lidocaine group (n = 12; 25%) compared with either the axillary block group (n = 5; 5%) or the IVRA lidocaine and clonidine group (n = 3; 6%). We conclude that axillary block or IVRA with clonidine offers a significant advantage for decreasing the incidence of CRPS compared with either IVRA with lidocaine alone or general anesthesia for patients undergoing Dupuytren's surgery.

Surgery on the affected upper extremity of patients with a history of complex regional pain syndrome: the use of intravenous regional anesthesia with clonidine

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) with clonidine in patients with a previous history of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) who are undergoing upper extremity hand surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, double-blind study.

SETTING

Operating suites and Pain Management Center of a large university-affiliated medical center.

PATIENTS

84 patients with a previous history of upper extremity CRPS undergoing surgery on the affected extremity. All signs and symptoms of CRPS had resolved prior to the time of surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomized to receive IVRA with 0.5 % lidocaine with either 1 mL normal saline (n=42) or clonidine 1 microg/kg (n=42) added to the lidocaine solution.

MEASUREMENTS

Recurrence of CRPS symptoms at 1 year following surgery were recorded.

MAIN RESULTS

The recurrence rate of CRPS was significantly lower (p <0.001) in those patients receiving IVRA with lidocaine and clonidine (10%, n=4) compared with those patients receiving IVRA lidocaine only (74%, n=31).

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative IVRA with lidocaine and clonidine on patients with a history of CRPS can significantly reduce the recurrence rate of this disease process.