CRPS Guidelines Launch

Published in partnership with 28 other medical organisations, the guidelines provide information on diagnosis, treatment, management and support for patients in a wide variety of clinical settings - GP practice, physiotherapy/occupational therapy practice, surgical practice, rheumatology, neurology and neurosurgery, sport and exercise medicine (SEM), dermatology, pain medicine, rehabilitation medicine, emergency medicine and long-term care.

The report underlines the need for multidisciplinary support to manage CRPS and outlines the ‘four pillars of care’ that underpin management:

• education
• pain relief
• physical rehabilitation
• psychological intervention.

The primary aims are to reduce pain, preserve or restore function, and enable patients to manage their condition and improve their quality of life. Prompt diagnosis and early treatment are considered best practice in order to avoid secondary physical problems associated with disuse of the affected limb and the psychological consequences of living with undiagnosed chronic pain.

CRPS pain is sometimes so bad that a number of patients request amputation. This is generally not advisable because it can make the situation worse, but is addressed in the surgical section of the guidance with a detailed pathway allowing healthcare professionals to approach this issue. The report includes a series of appendices including patient information and leaflets, a diagnostic checklist, advice to patients on daily living, and a list of NHS centres with experience in treating patients with CRPS.

Dr Andreas Goebel, chair of the CRPS guideline development panel, said:

I am delighted that these guidelines are supported by so many different organisations representing the patients’ treating healthcare professionals; the guidelines will help to ensure coherent, transparent and safe care for patients with this often very painful condition.

Professor Candy McCabe, chair of the CRPS UK Clinical and Research Network, said:

I am delighted to support the launch of these new guidelines. People with CRPS have the potential to benefit greatly from an early diagnosis and prompt initiation of healthcare interventions and rehabilitation. However, the lack of knowledge of CRPS within the general public and NHS can delay this care pathway.

These guidelines help to raise the profile of CRPS and provide an excellent evidence-based framework to support healthcare professionals in delivering timely and appropriate care.

A copy of the guidelines can be found Here