Abstract
The CRPS cases treated in the Pain Clinic are more in number with serious phase. On the other hand, in our Orthopaedic Department in hospitals have more chances to treat early phases of the CRPS as we treat fresh trauma cases. Due to these, there are quite differences in reaction toward the CRPS.
I have retrospectively reviewed the CRPS cases that I had treated since 1987 and have analysed the combination of the symptoms and views with methods of treatment, then the results. In CRPS type 1, there were many cases with severe edema in the first medical examination. For these cases, treatment with steroid mainly were effective. The cases after decreasing edema at the first examination, steroid were ineffective in many cases, though various methods were used, there were a few which I could foresee the result. The only procedure that obtained a good retrieval was with the endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy in the case of temporarily well effective stellate ganglion block. In CRPS type 2, there were many cases with less edema and the results were disappointing though various treatment were given, including surgical treatments. It is our mission to start a treatment while edema is severe, when it goes far and edema decreases, then it will become more difficult to be cured.
