2022 Volume 29 Issue 7 Pages 153-156
We report a patient whose condition improved after the concomitant use of Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) associated with herpes zoster infection. A 68-year-old man developed pain in the right lower extremity. Simultaneously, skin eruption occurred in the same area. He endured the pain for two months without treatment until the eruption disappeared. However, severe pain persisted even after the eruption disappeared; therefore, he visited a dermatologist. However, the dermatologist could not diagnose the cause of the pain because of the absence of eruption, and he was referred to our clinic. He was suspected to have herpes zoster-associated pain because of high levels of varicella-zoster virus immunoglobulin G. Along with pain, he presented with redness, swelling, and elevated skin temperature in his right lower leg. In addition to epidural block and oral mirogabalin, Boiogito and Keishibukuryogan relieved the CRPS symptoms. Thus, Kampo medicine was beneficial in treating the CRPS symptoms associated with herpes zoster infection.
