Cited by 534Pain Management and TreatmentAnesthesia and Pain ManagementPeripheral Nerve Disorders

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Practical Diagnostic and Treatment Guidelines, 4th Edition

Harden, R. Norman, Oaklander, Ann Louise, Burton, Allen W., Perez, Roberto S. G. M., Richardson, Kathryn, Swan, Melanie, Barthel, Jennifer, Costa, Brienne +2 more·2013·Pain Medicine

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This is the fourth edition of diagnostic and treatment guidelines for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS; aka reflex sympathetic dystrophy). METHODS: Expert practitioners in each discipline traditionally utilized in the treatment of CRPS systematically reviewed the available and relevant literature; due to the paucity of levels 1 and 2 studies, less rigorous, preliminary research reports were included. The literature review was supplemented with knowledge gained from extensive empirical clinical experience, particularly in areas where high-quality evidence to guide therapy is lacking. RESULTS: The research quality, clinical relevance, and "state of the art" of diagnostic criteria or treatment modalities are discussed, sometimes in considerable detail with an eye to the expert practitioner in each therapeutic area. Levels of evidence are mentioned when available, so that the practitioner can better assess and analyze the modality under discussion, and if desired, to personally consider the citations. Tables provide details on characteristics of studies in different subject domains described in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: In the humanitarian spirit of making the most of all current thinking in the area, balanced by a careful case-by-case analysis of the risk/cost vs benefit analysis, the authors offer these "practical" guidelines.

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Authors
Harden, R. N., Oaklander, A. L., Burton, A. W., Perez, R. S. G. M., Richardson, K., Swan, M., Barthel, J., Costa, B., Graciosa, J. R., & Bruehl, S.
Affiliations
  • Northwestern University (US)
  • Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
  • Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (US)
  • The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (US)
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
Harden, R. Norman
Venue
Pain Medicine
Published
2013-02
Volume
14
Issue
2
Pages
180-229
ISSN
  • 1526-2375 (ISSN-L)
  • 1526-4637
OpenAlex
W1756373912
Cited by
534
References
343
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 29 · 2024: 32 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 43 · 2021: 53 · 2020: 45 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 49 · 2017: 54 · 2016: 52 · 2015: 38 · 2014: 37 · 2013: 12
FWCI
58.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Pain Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Amsterdam UMC (VU Amsterdam) - Institutional Repository (publishedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
  • Pure Amsterdam UMC (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Pfizer
  • Boston Scientific Corporation
  • Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine › Pain Management and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Anesthesia and Pain Management
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Peripheral Nerve Disorders
Keywords
complex regional pain syndrome, diagnostic criteria, treatment options, level of evidence, risk-benefit assessment, chronic pain
MeSH terms
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists, Analgesics, Opioid, Anesthetics, Local, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Anticonvulsants, Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic, Humans, Occupational Therapy, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Rehabilitation, Vocational, Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate, Complex Regional Pain Syndromes, Physical Therapy Modalities, Bone Density Conservation Agents, Recreation Therapy

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