Amputation for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1

Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

Background Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition involving severe pain that can be resistant to many treatment modalities. Therapeutic amputation of the affected limb is unusual and controversial. Case Report A 33-year-old female with a 4-year history of CRPS associated with intractable foot and calf pain underwent elective transtibial amputation after conservative treatments failed. The patient's outcomes were favorable: resolution of pain and improved mobility sustained at 18 months postoperatively. Conclusion Amputation may be a viable last resort treatment option for selected patients with CRPS who are unresponsive to conventional treatments.