Complex Regional Pain Syndrome - What is the Evidence?

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a controversial issue in medicine. This book provides the most up to date universal review of the construct known as CRPS. The authors review the history of the diagnosis and offer an evidence based criticism regarding the development of the CRPS nomenclature. Chapters contain information regarding the theories of causation and difficulties encountered in the lack of proper application of the differential diagnostic process. Finally, issues regarding impairment, disability and problems in the medico-legal arena are discussed in detail. The authors conclude that the construct known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a failure, and call for the cessation of the use of the term in medicine.

Introduction, About the Authors,
Disclosures,
Executive Summary,
Section 1
Antecedents to and the Creation of the CRPS Construct,
Section 2
Evolutional Thoughts and the Application of Science,
Section 3
Critical Analysis of the IASP and Budapest Criteria Study Design and Statistics,
Section 4
Review of the Pathophysiological Theories,
Section 5
The Critical Significance of the Differential Diagnostic Process,
Section 6
A Critical Review of Treatments,
Section 7
The Medico-legal Context,
Section 8
Impairment Ratings,
Section 9
Return to Function and Management of Dis/Ability,
Section 10
Conclusion,
Appendix A
Supplementary Information Regarding Modern Diagnostic Protocols for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome