New guidelines harness physios’ recognition of pain

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a debilitating condition that can lead to skin and bone abnormalities and limb dysfunction. It is usually triggered by an injury, but may develop for other reasons.

‘Patients with CRPS report feeling stigmatised by health professionals who do not believe that their condition is real,’ said Dr Lesley Collier, chairperson of the CSP good practice panel.

It is now clear that CRPS is not associated with a history of pain-preceding psychological problems, or with somatisation or malingering,’ she said.

Heather Cameron, physio professional lead in acute services at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: ‘It is a relatively rare condition, but physios are often the first practitioners who will pick up on it.’

Physios specialising in pain are most likely to recognise CRPS. But the guidelines also aim to raise awareness of CRPS symptoms among physios working in musculoskeletal and neurological services.

The guidelines are in the Royal College of Physicians’ journal Clinical Medicine (Turner-Stokes, Lynne., Goebel, Andreas. ‘Complex regional pain syndrome in adults: concise guidance’, Clinical Medicine 2011: 11; 596-600).

An online version of the guidelines is due to be published on the RCP website in the spring.