Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

ATTACKmay also be a precipitating event. The doc-
tor may use X-ray, bone scan, nerve conduction
studies, and other procedures to assess the neuro-
muscular function of the limb. A comprehensive
NEUROLOGIC EXAMINATIONcan rule out other possible
causes of pain or complicating factors. However,
there are no conclusive diagnostic procedures for
this syndrome.

Treatment Options and Outlook

The earlier treatment begins, the better the out-
look. Treatment may involve a blend of
approaches, including

• anti-inflammatory medications such as NONS-
  TEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS) or
  CORTICOSTEROID MEDICATIONSto reduce INFLAMMA-
  TIONand swelling


• tricyclic ANTIDEPRESSANT MEDICATIONS and anti-
  seizure medications, which are often effective
  in relieving NEUROGENIC PAIN


• TRANSCUTANEOUS ELECTRICAL NERVE STIMULATION
  (TENS)


• NEURAL BLOCKADE(NERVE BLOCK) for pain that does
  not respond to noninvasive treatments


• RHIZOTOMYor sympathectomy (surgery to cut the
  nerve carrying the pain messages) for pain that
  does not respond to other methods of relief


• medications to prevent bone loss


• PHYSICAL THERAPYand MASSAGE THERAPYto main-
  tain FLEXIBILITYand mobility


• heat or cold to sites of pain


• BIOFEEDBACK


• ACUPUNCTURE

Early treatment may arrest symptoms and pre-
vent their progression. When the condition pro-

gresses, permanent damage to the limb becomes

extensive and may render the limb useless. In

severe cases the syndrome spreads to involve

other parts of the body.

Risk Factors and Preventive Measures

Though doctors know that type 2 complex

regional pain syndrome, the more common type,

develops after significant trauma to the limb, they

do not know what causes it to occur. Type 1 com-

plex syndrome is even more baffling because there

is no clear injury that precipitates symptoms.

Accordingly, there are no measures known to pre-

vent this disorder. However, early diagnosis and

treatment can prevent the condition from pro-

gressing, limiting the extent of permanent damage

that occurs.

See also LIVING WITH PAIN; MALDYNIA; QUALITY OF

LIFE.

eudynia PAINthat exists as a symptom clearly

associated with an underlying health condition or

circumstance and results from stimulation of noci-

ceptors (specialized sensors on the dendrites of

neurons that convey pain messages). Eudynia,

also called ACUTE PAIN, is typically short lived. Such

pain is a common feature of injury and numerous

disease processes and is the body’s signal that

something is wrong. Eudynia responds well to

treatment with ANALGESIC MEDICATIONSand non-

medication methods such as rest, ice, compression

(if appropriate), and elevation (if appropriate)—

the RICEapproach. ACUPUNCTUREand NEURAL BLOCK-

ADE(NERVE BLOCK) are other methods that provide

relief for pain due to traumatic injury or surgery.

Eudynia resolves as the underlying condition

improves.

See also ANESTHESIA; CHRONIC PAIN; MALDYNIA;

NEURON; NOCICEPTOR.

372 Pain and Pain Management