Late-Term Continuous Epidural Infusion Treatment For Treatment-Resistant Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are many different treatment methods available in terms of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). In patients who do not respond to medical treatments, treatment is first started with sympathetic blocks and somatic nerve blocks are added when necessary. Epidural catheter applications can be practised if sufficient results cannot be obtained from the blocks in very few patients. Continuous epidural block application allows both sympathetic and somatic nerve block, allowing the patient to recover, as well as pain palliation, and adequate physical therapy and rehabilitation. CASE REPORT: In this case report, although partial pain palliation was provided with sympathetic and somatic blocks in a female patient with a diagnosis of CRPS for a long time, especially in physical therapy and rehabilitation applications, due to the inadequate response due to pain, even in the late period, a subcutaneous tunnel epidural catheter was used. CONCLUSION: We present the use of continuous epidural block application in treatment successfully. KEY WORDS: Catheters, complex regional pain syndromes, epidural block, physical therapy modalities