Complex Regional Pain Syndrome I (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) type I, also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, was a complex pain condition primarily affecting young adults, especially females, often after trauma or surgery. It involved sensory, autonomic, and motor symptoms, with no definitive diagnostic test available. Treatment required a multidisciplinary approach, including physiotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and psychotherapy, but no scientifically proven cure existed. Various therapies were explored, such as nerve blocks and spinal cord stimulation, but their efficacy was not consistently proven in placebo-controlled trials. Early intervention was thought to improve outcomes, though direct evidence was lacking, and the condition's management needed to be tailored to the individual due to its complexity.