Complex regional pain syndrome of the right wrist – Type I (CRPS-I)

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is an intractable neuropathic painful disorder affecting one or less commonly more than one limb, disproportionate to or even without clear noxious event. It may occur without or with peripheral nerve injury, thus classifying such syndrome into type I or II, respectively. It was previously referred to as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) or Sudek's atrophy. We had reported this case as right wrist CRPS-I in 62 year old male patient, presented with severe unexplained acute right wrist pain and periarticular distal forearm soft tissue swelling, preliminary clinically diagnosed as septic arthritis. After full radiological examinations, CRPS type I was reported after exclusion of all other similar clinico-radiological presentations. The patient was treated conservatively with successful response.